HBA-NRS S.B. 544 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 544
By: Brown, J. E. "Buster"
Insurance
4/22/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the Texas Administrative Code requires health maintenance
organizations (HMOs) to cover a health risk assessment screening. Senate
Bill 544 codifies this rule to provide that  HMOs include periodic health
evaluations for each adult enrollee in the basic health care services. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 544 amends the Insurance Code to provide that the basic health
care services provided under an evidence of coverage must include periodic
health evaluations for each adult enrollee. The services provided must
include a health risk assessment at least once every three years and, for a
female enrollee, an annual well-woman examination. The bill does not apply
to an evidence of coverage for a limited health care service plan or a
single health care service plan. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001. The Act applies only to an evidence of coverage that is
delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2002.