Bill Text: TX HB1644 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to health benefit plan coverage for certain tests for the early detection of cardiovascular disease in certain children.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-03 - Referred to Insurance [HB1644 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-HB1644-Introduced.html
  82R115 AJA-F
 
  By: Zerwas H.B. No. 1644
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to health benefit plan coverage for certain tests for the
  early detection of cardiovascular disease in certain children.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 1376.003, Insurance Code,
  is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 1376.003.  MINIMUM COVERAGE REQUIRED: CERTAIN ADULTS.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 1376, Insurance Code, is amended by
  adding Section 1376.004 to read as follows:
         Sec. 1376.004.  MINIMUM COVERAGE REQUIRED: CERTAIN
  CHILDREN. (a) A health benefit plan that provides coverage for
  screening medical procedures must provide the minimum coverage
  required by this section to each covered individual who is older
  than 10 years of age and younger than 18 years of age and who:
               (1)  is a student at a middle school in Texas; or
               (2)  has not been diagnosed with heart disease and has
  not undergone an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram within the
  past two years.
         (b)  The minimum coverage required to be provided under this
  section is coverage of up to $150 for the following series of
  examinations once every five years, performed by a physician and a
  laboratory certified by a national organization recognized by the
  commissioner by rule for the purposes of this section, and intended
  to detect asymptomatic underlying congenital cardiovascular
  conditions that are associated with sudden cardiac arrest in
  children, including abnormal structure or function of the heart,
  the arteries, or the electrical pathways in the heart:
               (1)  history documenting personal or family history
  associated with sudden cardiac arrest;
               (2)  focused cardiovascular physical examination for
  clues to underlying conditions associated with sudden cardiac
  arrest, such as abnormal murmurs and body habitus;
               (3)  electrocardiogram measuring cardiac electrical
  activity and for the detection of those conditions associated with
  sudden cardiac arrest; and
               (4)  limited five-minute echocardiography to detect
  those structural cardiovascular conditions associated with sudden
  cardiac arrest in children.
         SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed
  on or after January 1, 2012. A health benefit plan delivered,
  issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2012, is governed
  by the law in effect immediately before the effective date of this
  Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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