Honorable Tom Oliverson, Chair, House Committee on Insurance
FROM:
Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB4500 by Harris, Caroline (Relating to electronic verification of health benefits by health benefit plan issuers for certain physicians and health care providers.), As Introduced
The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined due to the unknown implementation requirements of the bill and resulting changes in provider behavior are not known at this time.
This bill would amend the Insurance Code to require certain health benefit plans to maintain and make available a secure system on the issuer's internet website that allows physicians or health care providers for a hospital or freestanding emergency medical care facility to determine at any time: Coverage of a patient by the issuer's health benefit plan; coverage of the proposed health care service or supply; and the deducible, copayment, or coinsurance for which the patient is responsible. This bill would become effective September 1, 2023.
Based on the analysis of the Employees Retirement System, Department of Insurance, Health and Human Services Commission, Texas A&M University System Administrative & General Offices, and the University of Texas System Administration, any duties and responsibilities associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be accomplished by the agencies utilizing existing resources.
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas is unable to determine the costs associated with implementing the provisions of the bill because the full requirements to implement the provisions of the bill are not specified and resulting changes in provider behavior are not known at this time.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
323 Teacher Retirement System, 327 Employees Retirement System, 454 Department of Insurance, 529 Health and Human Services Commission, 710 Texas A&M University System Administrative and General Offices, 720 The University of Texas System Administration