HBA-MSH S.B. 1181 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1181
By: Shapleigh
Insurance
5/8/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas law does not require the employees of health insurance
companies and related entities to disclose their identity when requested by
a person insured by the company. Senate Bill 1181 requires an employee of a
health benefit plan who is responsible for answering communications and
questions to disclose the employee's full name, job title, and business
address upon oral or written request. 

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 1181 amends the Insurance Code to require the issuer of a
health benefit plan (issuer) to provide after an oral or written request by
an insured or enrollee the name, business address, and job title of the
employee of the issuer who is required to be available to the enrollee or
insured to respond to communications and questions from the insured or
enrollee relating to coverages and benefits provided by the health benefit
plan to the insured or enrollee. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.