81R7306 JSC-F
By: Gonzalez Toureilles H.B. No. 2581
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the definitions of a discount health care program and a
discount care health care program operator.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 76.001(3) and (4), Health and Safety
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(3) "Discount health care program" means a business
arrangement or contract in which an entity, in exchange for fees,
dues, charges, or other consideration, including access to patient
information, offers its members access to discounts on health care
services provided by health care providers. The term does not
include an insurance policy, certificate of coverage, or other
product regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance or a
self-funded or self-insured employee benefit plan.
(4) "Discount health care program operator" means a
person who, in exchange for fees, dues, charges, or other
consideration, including access to patient information, operates a
discount health care program and contracts with providers, provider
networks, or other discount health care program operators to offer
access to health care services at a discount and determines the
charge to members.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.