BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 831

By: Anderson, Charles "Doc"

Insurance

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Observers suggest that children born with certain craniofacial abnormalities should receive certain forms of treatment and that such treatment should be covered by applicable insurance plans. H.B. 831 seeks to make certain treatments more accessible to the children who need them.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 831 amends the Insurance Code to require certain health benefit plans that provide coverage for reconstructive surgery for craniofacial abnormalities to provide coverage for the treatment of the primary conditions constituting craniofacial abnormalities and the secondary conditions related to or arising from craniofacial abnormalities, including the following: oral and facial surgery, surgical management, and follow-up care; prosthetic treatments; orthodontic treatment and management; preventive and restorative dentistry to ensure good health and adequate dental structures for orthodontic treatment or prosthetic management or therapy; speech-language pathology services; audiological assessments and amplification devices; otolaryngological treatment and management; psychological assessment and counseling; and genetic assessment counseling for the parents and child. The bill applies to a health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2018.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.