Texas House Bill HB1948

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to individual indemnity health insurance.

Impact

The implications of HB1948 are significant, as it would directly affect the way individual health insurance policies are structured in Texas. The bill delegates the authority to the commissioner of insurance to adopt necessary rules by a specified deadline, effectively setting a framework for the regulation of indemnity health insurance. This could lead to better policy consistency across the state and provide consumers with clearer information about their coverage options.

Summary

House Bill 1948 aims to amend the Texas Insurance Code to establish new minimum standards for individual indemnity health insurance policies. By outlining the categories of coverage such as basic hospital expense, major medical expense, and disability income protection, the bill seeks to ensure that these insurance products provide essential benefits to policyholders. The primary focus is on enhancing consumer protections and improving the quality of health insurance coverage available to individuals.

Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment surrounding the bill appears to be supportive, especially among legislatures and advocates who view the establishment of minimum standards as a vital step toward consumer protection. By mandating specific benefits, the bill is seen as a commitment to ensuring that individuals have access to necessary health care services without excessive out-of-pocket expenses. However, there may be concerns among insurance providers about the impact of additional regulations on their offerings.

Contention

The debate may center around the implications for insurance providers, particularly regarding compliance costs and the potential limiting of product diversity in the market. There might be voices against the degree of regulation imposed by the bill, positing that it could interfere with market dynamics and innovation in health insurance products. Nevertheless, supporters argue that such measures are essential to protect consumers from insufficient coverage.