Bill Text: TX HB1667 | 2015-2016 | 84th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the designation of certain physicians as preferred providers.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2015-03-09 - Referred to Insurance [HB1667 Detail]
Download: Texas-2015-HB1667-Introduced.html
84R7250 PMO-F | ||
By: Bonnen of Galveston | H.B. No. 1667 |
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relating to the designation of certain physicians as preferred | ||
providers. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Section 1301.051(e), Insurance Code, is amended | ||
to read as follows: | ||
(e) An insurer may not withhold a designation to: | ||
(1) a podiatrist described by Section 1301.0521; or | ||
(2) a physician described by Section 1301.0522. | ||
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 1301, Insurance Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 1301.0522 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 1301.0522. DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN PHYSICIANS AS | ||
PREFERRED PROVIDERS. (a) Notwithstanding Section 1301.051, an | ||
insurer may not withhold the designation of preferred provider to a | ||
physician who: | ||
(1) joins the professional practice of a contracted | ||
preferred provider; | ||
(2) applies to the insurer for designation as a | ||
preferred provider; and | ||
(3) complies with the terms and conditions of | ||
eligibility to be a preferred provider. | ||
(b) A physician designated as a preferred provider under | ||
this section must comply with the terms of the preferred provider | ||
contract used by the insurer or the insurer's network provider. | ||
SECTION 3. Section 1301.0522, Insurance Code, as added by | ||
this Act, applies only to an application for a designation as a | ||
preferred provider submitted to an insurer on or after the | ||
effective date of this Act. An application submitted before that | ||
date is governed by the law as it existed 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, 2015. |