Texas House Bill HB2162

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to health benefit plan coverage for certain nonemergency ambulance transportation services.

Impact

The implementation of HB 2162 is significant as it expands health insurance coverage to include specific nonemergency transport scenarios. It mandates that any health benefit plan, whether from an insurance company or health maintenance organizations, providing benefits for medical or surgical expenses must also cover nonemergency ambulance transport. This enhances patient access to necessary health services while aiming to alleviate the financial burden associated with nonemergency travel for medical needs. However, the bill does not cover plans targeting specialized diseases or offering solely accidental death benefits, making it essential to evaluate the variance in coverage offered across different plans.

Summary

House Bill 2162 addresses health benefit plan coverage specifically for nonemergency ambulance transportation services in Texas. This bill introduces amendments to Chapter 1451 of the Insurance Code, creating a new subchapter dedicated to access and coverage for these types of transportation services. The intention behind this legislation is to ensure that health benefit plans cover nonemergency ambulance services, thus broadening the scope of medical and surgical expenses that such insurance plans would address. This change directly responds to the increasing need for nonemergency medical transportation, especially for patients who may require regular transportation to medical appointments or treatment facilities.

Contention

One notable point of contention within the discussions around HB 2162 revolves around the regulation of ambulance service providers. The bill sets limits on health insurance issuers who may not contract with nonemergency providers that have ownership interests in transportation service brokerages. This clause aims to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure a more transparent system. Additionally, the bill prohibits transportation service providers from offering remuneration to insurance issuers for referrals, further emphasizing the intended integrity in the provision of transportation services. Such regulatory measures may spark debates on the operational landscapes for ambulance services and their relationship with health insurers, particularly concerning competition and consumer choice.