81R258 KCR-D
By: Thompson H.B. No. 2278
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to health benefit plan coverage under the Texas Employees
Group Benefits Act for certain medical supplies.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 1551.223 to read as follows:
Sec. 1551.223. SUPPLIES AND SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITH
DIABETES TREATMENT. (a) In this section, "diabetes equipment" and
"diabetes supplies" have the meanings assigned by Section 1358.051.
(b) A health benefit plan offered under the group benefits
program that provides coverage for the treatment of diabetes must
provide coverage for diabetes equipment and diabetes supplies.
(c) A health benefit plan described by Subsection (b) may
require a deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for coverage
provided under this section. The amount of the deductible,
copayment, or coinsurance may not exceed the amount of the
deductible, copayment, or coinsurance required for treatment of
another disease or chronic health condition for which coverage for
disease management services is provided under Section 1551.219.
SECTION 2. Section 1551.223, Insurance Code, as added by
this Act, applies only to a group health benefit plan that is
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1,
2010. A group health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for
delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2010, is covered by the law
in effect at the time the group health benefit plan was delivered,
issued for delivery, or renewed, and that law is continued in effect
for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.