HB 1641
AN ACT relating to the use of extrapolation by a health maintenance
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to House committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
Prohibits health maintenance organizations and insurers from using extrapolation (a mathematical technique to estimate claim audit results across a large group of claims) when auditing physicians or providers. Under the new law, any additional payments or refunds must be based solely on actual, individually reviewed overpayments or underpayments, not statistical estimates. The bill applies to contracts entered into or renewed on or after September 1, 2025, and does not impact certain governmental health benefit plans like Medicaid or child health programs.
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to the use of extrapolation by a health maintenance organization or an insurer to audit claims. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 843.010, Insurance Code, as effective April 1, 2025, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 843.010. APPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS TO GOVERNMENTAL HEALTH BENEFIT PLANS. Sections 843.306(f), 843.322, and 843.363(a)(4) do not apply to coverage under: (1) the child health plan program under Chapter 62, Health and Safety Code, or the health benefits plan for children under Chapter 63, Health and Safety Code; or (2) a Medicaid program, including a Medicaid managed care program operated under Chapter 540 or 540A, Government Code, SECTION 2. Subchapter I, Chapter 843, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 843.322 to read as follows: Sec. 843.322. USE OF EXTRAPOLATION PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "extrapolation" means a mathematical process or technique used by a health maintenance organization in the audit of a participating physician or provider to estimate audit results or findings for a larger batch or group of claims not reviewed by the health maintenance organization. (b) A health maintenance organization may not use extrapolation to complete an audit of a participating physician or provider. Any additional payment due a participating physician or provider or any refund due the health maintenance organization must be based on the actual overpayment or underpayment and may not be SECTION 3. Subchapter B, Chapter 1301, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Section 1301.0643 to read as follows: Sec. 1301.0643. USE OF EXTRAPOLATION PROHIBITED. (a) In this section, "extrapolation" means a mathematical process or technique used by an insurer in the audit of a preferred provider to estimate audit results or findings for a larger batch or group of claims not reviewed by the insurer. (b) An insurer may not use extrapolation to complete an audit of a preferred provider. Any additional payment due a preferred provider or any refund due the insurer must be based on the actual overpayment or underpayment and may not be based on an SECTION 4. The change in law made by this Act applies only to the audit of a physician or provider under a contract with an insurer or health maintenance organization entered into or renewed on or after the effective date of this Act. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the use of extrapolation by a health maintenance
Related Guides
Learn more about tracking Texas legislation and working with lobbyists.
How to Read & Track Texas Bills
Master bill numbering, understand legislative language, and learn effective tracking strategies.
Understanding Texas Legislative Deadlines
Navigate the 140-day session with critical calendar dates and filing deadlines.
How Laws Get Made in Texas
Follow a bill's journey from filing to the governor's desk through committees and floor votes.
When Should Your Business Hire a Lobbyist?
Discover the signs that your business needs professional advocacy at the Texas Capitol.