Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas House Bill HB2750

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the regulation of certain market conduct activities of certain life, accident, and health insurers and health benefit plan issuers; providing civil liability and administrative and criminal penalties.

Impact

One significant aspect of HB2750 is the introduction of penalties for insurers that engage in 'bad faith' cancellations. It declares that setting cancellation goals, paying employee bonuses tied to cancellations, or making cancellations a condition of employment constitutes an unfair practice. Through these measures, the bill aims to prevent insurance providers from incentivizing cancellations in ways that could adversely affect policyholders and to foster a more transparent and accountable insurance market.

Summary

House Bill 2750 seeks to enhance the regulation of certain market conduct activities of life, accident, and health insurers, as well as health benefit plan issuers. The legislation specifically targets the practices surrounding the cancellation of health benefit plans, introducing provisions that aim to curb unfair methods of competition and deceptive practices in this domain. By establishing explicit criteria and guidelines for how and when health benefit plans can be cancelled, HB2750 strives to improve consumer protection and ensure fair treatment for policyholders.

Contention

Debates surrounding HB2750 highlighted concerns from various stakeholders. Supporters argue that the bill strengthens consumer protections and promotes fairness in insurance practice, fostering a more reliable health coverage environment. However, critics raise concerns that the regulations could lead to insurers raising premiums to mitigate the risk associated with stricter cancellation standards. There is apprehension that well-intentioned regulations might result in unintended consequences that adversely affect the availability and affordability of health insurance for consumers.

Companion Bills

TX SB1257

Identical Relating to the regulation of certain market conduct activities of certain life, accident, and health insurers and health benefit plan issuers; providing civil liability and administrative and criminal penalties.

Previously Filed As

TX HB4500

Relating to electronic verification of health benefits by health benefit plan issuers for certain physicians and health care providers.

TX SB863

Relating to electronic verification of health benefits by health benefit plan issuers for certain physicians and health care providers.

TX HB2324

Relating to the regulation of certain health professionals and health facilities; providing civil and administrative penalties; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB1128

Relating to availability of and benefits provided under health benefit plan coverage.

TX HB4912

Relating to availability of and benefits provided under health benefit plan coverage.

TX HB1527

Relating to the relationship between dentists and certain employee benefit plans and health insurers.

TX SB1981

Relating to the relationship between dentists and certain employee benefit plans and health insurers.

TX SB457

Relating to disclosure requirements for health benefit plans and health expense arrangements marketed to individuals.

TX HB3098

Relating to prohibited conduct of a health benefit plan issuer in relation to affiliated and nonaffiliated providers.

TX SB1502

Relating to prohibited conduct of a health benefit plan issuer in relation to affiliated and nonaffiliated providers.

Similar Bills

TX SB1257

Relating to the regulation of certain market conduct activities of certain life, accident, and health insurers and health benefit plan issuers; providing civil liability and administrative and criminal penalties.

TX SB714

Relating to the regulation of certain health care rental network contract arrangements; providing a civil penalty.

TX HB223

Relating to regulation of the secondary market in certain physician and health care provider discounts; providing administrative penalties.

TX SB351

Relating to payment of certain emergency room physicians for services provided to enrollees of managed care health benefit plans; providing an administrative penalty.

TX HB2256

Relating to mediation of out-of-network health benefit claim disputes concerning enrollees, facility-based physicians, and certain health benefit plans; imposing an administrative penalty.

TX SB7

Relating to the administration, quality, and efficiency of health care, health and human services, and health benefits programs in this state; creating an offense; providing penalties.

TX SB8

Relating to improving the quality and efficiency of health care.

TX HB7

Relating to the administration, quality, and efficiency of health care, health and human services, and health benefits programs in this state.