Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

_____________________________
Insurance Fraud and Health Care - H.B. 1562
by Representatives Thompson and Chavez
Senate Sponsor: Senator Moncrief
Health care fraud and abuse cost the national health care system billions annually.
INSURANCE
77 th Texas Legislature
Sets forth requirements for the investigation of insurance fraud, adoption of fraud plans by insurers and
coordinated enforcement efforts with the attorney general, Medicaid, and the Texas Department of
Insurance.
Mandated Benefits and Health Insurance - H.B. 1610
by Representatives Averitt and Miller
Senate Sponsor: Senator Fraser
The impact of mandated benefits on the health industry relating to general cost and premium increases has
not been studied adequately as current law does not require a health benefit plan issuer to collect and
report cost and utilization data. Without accurate data on the mandates, the state cannot study their
impact.
Requires the commissioner of insurance to require health benefit plan issuers to collect and report certain
data for specific information.
Requires each health benefit plan issuer to maintain at its principal place of business all data collected in
order to satisfy certain provisions.
Brain Dysfunction – Disease or Injury? - H.B. 1676
by Representatives Burnam and Ehrhardt
Senate Sponsor: Senator Van de Putte
Each year thousands of Texans sustain brain injuries or are diagnosed with neurological diseases that
require health care services. Survivors of these injuries or those diagnosed with neurological diseases can
lead meaningful lives with proper health care, medical techniques, and rehabilitation services. However,
not all health benefit plans cover these injuries, basing their denial of coverage on their belief these
conditions are based on mental rather than physical illness.
Prohibits insurers from excluding coverage for survivors of brain injuries and individuals diagnosed with
neurological diseases for therapy and neurological care.
Requires the Sunset Advisory Commission to conduct a study to make certain determinations and to report
its findings to the legislature.
Senate Research Center 176