H.B. No. 4519
AN ACT
relating to standards for independent review organizations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 4202.002, Insurance Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
(c) In addition to the standards described by Subsection
(b), the commissioner shall adopt standards and rules that:
(1) prohibit:
(A) more than one independent review
organization from operating out of the same office or other
facility;
(B) an individual or entity from owning more than
one independent review organization;
(C) an individual from owning stock in or serving
on the board of more than one independent review organization;
(D) an individual who has served on the board of
an independent review organization whose certification was revoked
for cause from serving on the board of another independent review
organization before the fifth anniversary of the date on which the
revocation occurred;
(E) an attorney who is, or has in the past served
as, the registered agent for an independent review organization
from representing the independent review organization in legal
proceedings; and
(F) an independent review organization from
disclosing confidential patient information, except to a provider
who is under contract to perform the review; and
(2) require:
(A) an independent review organization to be
based and certified in this state and to locate the organization's
primary offices in this state;
(B) an independent review organization to
voluntarily surrender the organization's certification while the
organization is under investigation or as part of an agreed order;
and
(C) an independent review organization to apply
for and receive a new certification after the organization is sold
to a new owner.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4519 was passed by the House on May
15, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 4519 was passed by the Senate on May
27, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor