Texas House Bill HB1631

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/11/11
• Introduced: 2/22/11
• Voted on by House: 4/27/11
• Refer: 3/3/11
• Report Pass: 4/5/11
• Engrossed: 4/27/11
• Refer: 5/2/11

Caption

Relating to expedited credentialing for certain podiatrists providing services under a managed care plan.

Impact

The introduction of this bill specifically amends Chapter 1452 of the Insurance Code, creating a new subchapter that outlines the eligibility requirements and processes for expedited credentialing. This includes parameters for applicant podiatrists, as well as the responsibilities of managed care plans in facilitating this process. By doing so, the bill promotes increased accessibility to podiatric care within managed care networks, which could translate into higher patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes in the community.

Summary

House Bill 1631 relates to an expedited credentialing process for certain podiatrists providing services under managed care plans. The bill aims to streamline the onboarding process for podiatrists looking to join established professional practices that already have contracts with managed care providers. By allowing qualified podiatrists to begin servicing enrollees of those plans sooner, the legislation seeks to address a key issue faced by new practitioners in gaining timely access to patient populations and reimbursement mechanisms.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 1631 could arise from differing views on the adequacy of credentialing metrics for podiatrists, as critics might argue that expedited processes could lead to inadequate vetting of practitioners. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions that hold managed care plans harmless for payments made to podiatrists before the completion of the credentialing process, which could lead to concerns about financial liabilities or quality control. Discussions in legislative circles would likely delve into balancing the need for quick access to healthcare services while ensuring oversight and due diligence in practitioner qualifications.