BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1968

By: Anderson, Charles "Doc"

Insurance

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Many Texas children are born with craniofacial abnormalities every year. Typically, these children, who should be treated in accordance with certain developmental phases, need a comprehensive treatment plan to timely address surgical needs and other necessary treatments. Postponing such treatment may burden not only the child with more extensive procedures, but also those concerned with greater medical costs. Expanding insurance coverage for children with craniofacial abnormalities to include the treatment of primary conditions constituting craniofacial abnormalities and secondary conditions related to or arising from such abnormalities would help ease the burdens. H.B. 1968 seeks to provide this expansion. 

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. 1968 amends the Insurance Code to require a health benefit plan that provides coverage for reconstructive surgery for child craniofacial abnormalities to provide coverage for the treatment of primary conditions constituting craniofacial abnormalities and secondary conditions related to or arising from such abnormalities, including the following:

·         oral and facial surgery, surgical management, and follow-up care;

·         prosthetic treatments, including obturators and speech and feeding appliances;

·         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, including evaluation and therapy;

·         audiological assessments and amplification devices;

·         otolaryngological treatment and management;

·         psychological assessment and counseling; and

·         genetic assessment counseling for the parents and child.

H.B. 1968 applies only to a health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2020.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.