85R2658 LED-F
 
  By: Muñoz, Jr. H.B. No. 2942
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to adoption by the commissioner of insurance of network
  adequacy standards for preferred provider benefit plans that
  discourage balance billing.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 1301.0055, Insurance Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 1301.0055.  NETWORK ADEQUACY STANDARDS. The
  commissioner shall by rule adopt network adequacy standards that:
               (1)  are adapted to local markets in which an insurer
  offering a preferred provider benefit plan operates;
               (2)  ensure availability of, and accessibility to, a
  full range of contracted physicians and health care providers to
  provide health care services to insureds; [and]
               (3)  on good cause shown, may allow departure from
  local market network adequacy standards if the commissioner posts
  on the department's Internet website the name of the preferred
  provider plan, the insurer offering the plan, and the affected
  local market; and
               (4)  discourage balance billing as defined by Section
  1456.001.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.