84R7250 PMO-F
By: Bonnen of Galveston H.B. No. 1667
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the designation of certain physicians as preferred
providers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1301.051(e), Insurance Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(e) An insurer may not withhold a designation to:
(1) a podiatrist described by Section 1301.0521; or
(2) a physician described by Section 1301.0522.
SECTION 2. Subchapter B, Chapter 1301, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 1301.0522 to read as follows:
Sec. 1301.0522. DESIGNATION OF CERTAIN PHYSICIANS AS
PREFERRED PROVIDERS. (a) Notwithstanding Section 1301.051, an
insurer may not withhold the designation of preferred provider to a
physician who:
(1) joins the professional practice of a contracted
preferred provider;
(2) applies to the insurer for designation as a
preferred provider; and
(3) complies with the terms and conditions of
eligibility to be a preferred provider.
(b) A physician designated as a preferred provider under
this section must comply with the terms of the preferred provider
contract used by the insurer or the insurer's network provider.
SECTION 3. Section 1301.0522, Insurance Code, as added by
this Act, applies only to an application for a designation as a
preferred provider submitted to an insurer on or after the
effective date of this Act. An application submitted before that
date is governed by the law as it existed immediately before the
effective date of this Act, and that law is continued in effect for
that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.