Texas House Bill HB4391

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to certain group and individual health benefit plans and the provision of health care benefits under health care plans through provider networks.

Impact

The enactment of HB4391 is expected to have a profound impact on the availability and structure of health care coverage within the state. By mandating indemnification rather than networked services, the bill may enhance the transparency of costs for patients and facilitate a broader array of choices regarding health care providers. However, it could also lead to potential downsides, such as increased out-of-pocket expenses and confusion over health care access among consumers who are accustomed to network-based models of care.

Summary

House Bill 4391 proposes significant changes to the regulation of health benefit plans in Texas, primarily focusing on prohibiting the use of provider networks by health benefit plan issuers. The bill explicitly bans the arrangement of health care services through delivery networks that involve contracting with physicians and other health care providers. This measure aims to shift the landscape of healthcare service delivery by allowing health benefit plan issuers to provide coverage only by indemnifying covered individuals for their medical expenses, rather than utilizing a network of providers.

Contention

The introduction and discussions around HB4391 have raised notable points of contention among stakeholders in the health care sector. Proponents argue that deterring provider networks could eliminate complexities often experienced by patients under traditional health plans, fostering a more individual-centric approach to health care access. Conversely, critics highlight concerns that eliminating networks could diminish access to specialized care and increase the cost of health care for the average consumer, as the comprehensive coordination often provided through networks may be lost. This tension between access and cost-effectiveness lies at the core of the ongoing debates surrounding the bill.