83R985 KKR-D
By: Kuempel H.B. No. 521
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to direct payment by an automobile insurer to emergency
medical services providers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle C, Title 10, Insurance Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 1954 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 1954. ASSIGNMENT AND DIRECT PAYMENT OF CERTAIN BENEFITS
UNDER AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE POLICY
Sec. 1954.001. APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER. This chapter
applies to an insurer writing automobile insurance in this state,
including an insurance company, corporation, reciprocal or
interinsurance exchange, mutual insurance company, association,
Lloyd's plan, or other insurer.
Sec. 1954.002. ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS OPTION REQUIRED. An
automobile insurance policy claim form must provide an option for
the claimant to assign benefits to an emergency medical services
provider who provides ambulance services or other services covered
under the policy in connection with an occurrence covered by the
policy. The automobile insurer may require a written attestation
of assignment of benefits.
Sec. 1954.003. DIRECT PAYMENT PROVISION AUTHORIZED. An
automobile insurance policy may provide for payment of benefits
directly to an emergency medical services provider who provides
ambulance services or other services covered under the policy in
connection with an occurrence covered by the policy, even in the
absence of an assignment of benefits.
SECTION 2. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an insurance policy delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on
or after January 1, 2014. An insurance policy delivered, issued for
delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2014, is governed by the law
in effect immediately before the effective date of this Act, and
that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.