86R9995 PMO-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 1421
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to methods of notice from certain health benefit plan
issuers.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 843, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 843.212 to read as follows:
Sec. 843.212. NOTICE BY E-MAIL OR TEXT MESSAGE. (a) A
health maintenance organization shall provide each enrollee the
option to receive by e-mail or text message any notice required
under this chapter or Chapter 1369 or by rule of the commissioner.
(b) A notice sent to an enrollee under this section must
include an electronic link to a web page on a website maintained by
the health maintenance organization. The web page must include the
information required for the notice in the form prescribed by
statute or by rule of the commissioner.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, Chapter
1369, or any other law, if an enrollee elects to receive notice by
e-mail or text message under this section, the health maintenance
organization is not required to mail to the enrollee a notice
required by this chapter or Chapter 1369 or by rule of the
commissioner.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 1301, Insurance Code, is
amended by adding Section 1301.010 to read as follows:
Sec. 1301.010. NOTICE BY E-MAIL OR TEXT MESSAGE. (a) An
insurer shall provide each insured the option to receive by e-mail
or text message any notice required under this chapter or Chapter
1369 or by rule of the commissioner.
(b) A notice sent to an insured under this section must
include an electronic link to a web page on a website maintained by
the insurer. The web page must include the information required for
the notice in the form prescribed by statute or by rule of the
commissioner.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, Chapter
1369, or any other law, if an insured elects to receive notice by
e-mail or text message under this section, the insurer is not
required to mail to the insured a notice required by this chapter or
Chapter 1369 or by rule of the commissioner.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only
to a health benefit plan that is delivered, issued for delivery, or
renewed on or after January 1, 2020.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.