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HB 3140

AN ACT relating to network adequacy standards for preferred provider

House Bill
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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Not yet assigned

Fiscal Note

Not available

What This Bill Does

Updates network adequacy standards for preferred provider insurance plans in Texas, requiring insurers to more closely monitor and ensure access to healthcare providers across different county types. It expands requirements for insurers to track and report network compliance, including tracking travel times and distances for various medical specialties and setting stricter standards for provider availability, especially in rural and areas with extreme access challenges. The changes aim to improve healthcare access by mandating that insurers maintain sufficient provider networks that can serve at least 75% of insureds within designated service areas, with specific time and distance requirements for different medical specialties and settings.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to network adequacy standards for preferred provider
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 1301.0055, Insurance Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (d) to read
(a)  The commissioner shall by rule adopt network adequacy
(1)  require an insurer offering a preferred provider
(A)  monitor compliance with network adequacy
standards, including provisions of this chapter relating to network
adequacy, on an ongoing basis, reporting any material deviation
from network adequacy standards to the department within 30 days of
the date the material deviation occurred; and
(B)  promptly take any corrective action required
to ensure that the network is compliant not later than the 90th day
after the date the material deviation occurred unless:
(i)  there are no uncontracted licensed
physicians or health care providers in the affected county; or
(ii)  the insurer requests a waiver under
(2)  ensure availability of, and accessibility to, a
full range of contracted physicians and health care providers to
provide current and projected utilization of health care services
(3)  may allow a waiver for a departure from network
adequacy standards for a period not to exceed one year if the
commissioner determines [after receiving public testimony at a
public hearing under Section 1301.00565] that good cause is shown
and posts on the department's Internet website the name of the
preferred provider benefit plan, the insurer offering the plan,
each affected county, the specific network adequacy standards
waived, and the insurer's access plan;
(4)  require disclosure by the insurer of the
information described by Subdivision (3) in all promotion and
advertisement of the preferred provider benefit plan for which a
waiver is allowed under that subdivision; and
(5)  [except as provided by Subdivision (6), limit a
waiver from being issued to a preferred provider benefit plan:
[(A)  more than twice consecutively for the same
network adequacy standard in the same county unless the insurer
demonstrates, in addition to the good cause described by
Subdivision (3), multiple good faith attempts to bring the plan
into compliance with the network adequacy standard during each of
the prior consecutive waiver periods; or
[(B)  more than a total of four times within a
21-year period for each county in a service area for issues that may
be remedied through good faith efforts; and
[(6)]  authorize the commissioner to issue a waiver
[that would otherwise be unavailable under Subdivision (5)] if the
waiver request demonstrates, and the department confirms annually,
that there are no uncontracted physicians or health care providers
in the area to meet the specific standard for a county in a service
(b)  The standards described by Subsection (a)(2) must
include factors regarding time and[,] distance[, and appointment
availability].  The factors must:
(1)  require that all insureds are able to receive an
appointment with a preferred provider within the maximum travel
times and distances established under Sections 1301.00553 and
(2)  [require that all insureds are able to receive an
appointment with a preferred provider within the maximum
appointment wait times established under Section 1301.00555;
[(3)]  require a preferred provider benefit plan to
ensure sufficient choice, access, and quality of physicians and
health care providers, in number, size, and geographic
distribution, to be capable of providing the health care services
covered by the plan from preferred providers to at least 75 percent
of [all] insureds within the insurer's designated service area,
taking into account the insureds' characteristics, medical
conditions, and health care needs, including:
(A)  the current utilization of covered health
care services within the counties of the service area; and
(B)  an actuarial projection of utilization of
covered health care services, physicians, and health care providers
needed within the counties of the service area to meet the needs of
the number of projected insureds;
(3) [(4)]  require a sufficient number of preferred
providers of emergency medicine, anesthesiology, pathology,
radiology, neonatology, oncology, including medical, surgical, and
radiation oncology, surgery, and hospitalist, intensivist, and
diagnostic services, including radiology and laboratory services,
at each preferred hospital, ambulatory surgical center, or
freestanding emergency medical care facility that credentials the
particular specialty to ensure at least 75 percent of [all]
insureds are able to receive covered benefits, including access to
clinical trials covered by the health benefit plan, at that
(4) [(5)]  require that all insureds have the ability
to access a preferred institutional provider listed in Section
1301.00553 within the maximum travel times and distances
established under Section 1301.00553 for the corresponding county
(5) [(6)]  require that insureds have the option of
facilities, if available, of pediatric, for-profit, nonprofit, and
tax-supported institutions, with special consideration to
(A)  teaching hospitals that provide indigent
care or care for uninsured individuals as a significant percentage
of their overall patient load; and
(B)  teaching facilities that specialize in
providing care for rare and complex medical conditions and
(6) [(7)]  require that there is an adequate number of
preferred provider physicians who have admitting privileges at one
or more preferred provider hospitals located within the insurer's
designated service area to make any necessary hospital admissions;
(7) [(8)]  provide for necessary hospital services by
requiring  contracting with general, pediatric, specialty, and
psychiatric hospitals on a preferred benefit basis within the
insurer's designated service area, as applicable;
(8) [(9)]  ensure that emergency care, as defined by
Section 1301.155, is available and accessible 24 hours a day, seven
days a week, by preferred providers;
(9) [(10)]  ensure that covered urgent care is
available and accessible from preferred providers within the
insurer's designated service area within 24 hours for medical and
(10) [(11)]  require an adequate number of preferred
providers to be available and accessible to insureds 24 hours a day,
seven days a week, within the insurer's designated service area;
(11) [(12)]  require sufficient numbers and classes of
preferred providers to ensure choice, access, and quality of care
across the insurer's designated service area.
(d)  For the purposes of this section, a preferred provider
within the time and distance requirements of Section 1301.00553 is
considered part of the network adequacy calculation, regardless of
whether the provider's office is located in a different county than
the insured or outside the insurer's service area.
SECTION 2.  Sections 1301.00553(c), (d), (e), (f), and (g),
Insurance Code, are amended to read as follows:
(c)  Maximum travel time in minutes and maximum distance in
miles for preferred provider benefit plans by preferred provider
type for each large metro county are:
(1)  for the following physicians, as designated by
Time
                     Distance
Allergy and Immunology
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Cardiology
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Cardiothoracic Surgery
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Dermatology
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Emergency Medicine
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Endocrinology
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Ear, Nose, and Throat/Otolaryngology
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Gastroenterology
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
General Surgery
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Gynecology and Obstetrics
                     20 [10]
                     10 [5]
Infectious Diseases
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Nephrology
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Neurology
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Neurosurgery
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Oncology: Medical, Surgical
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Oncology: Radiation
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Ophthalmology
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Orthopedic Surgery
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Plastic Surgery
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Primary Care: Adults
                     20 [10]
                     10 [5]
Primary Care: Pediatric
                     20 [10]
                     10 [5]
Psychiatry
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Pulmonology
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Rheumatology
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Urology
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Vascular Surgery
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
(2)  for health care practitioners in the following
Time
                     Distance
Chiropractic
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Occupational Therapy
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Physical Therapy
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Podiatry
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Speech Therapy
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
(3)  for the following types of institutional
Time
                     Distance
Acute Inpatient Hospitals (Emergency Services Available 24/7)
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Acute Inpatient Hospitals (Emergency Services Available 24/7)
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Cardiac Catheterization Services
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Cardiac Surgery Program
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Critical Care Services: Intensive Care Units
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Inpatient or Residential Behavioral Health Facility Services
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Inpatient or Residential Behavioral Health Facility Services
                     40 [30]
                     20 [15]
Mammography
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Outpatient Infusion/Chemotherapy
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Skilled Nursing Facilities
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Surgical Services (Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgical Center)
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
Surgical Services (Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgical Center)
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
(4)  for the following settings:
Time
                     Distance
Outpatient Clinical Behavioral Health (Licensed, Accredited, or Certified)
                     20 [10]
                     10 [5]
Outpatient Clinical Behavioral Health (Licensed, Accredited, or Certified)
                     20 [10]
                     10 [5]
Urgent Care
                     30 [20]
                     15 [10]
(d)  Maximum travel time in minutes and maximum distance in
miles for preferred provider benefit plans by preferred provider
type for each metro county are:
(1)  for the following physicians, as designated by
Time
                     Distance
Allergy and Immunology
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Cardiology
                     45 [30]
                     30 [20]
Cardiothoracic Surgery
                     75 [60]
                     50 [40]
Dermatology
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Emergency Medicine
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Endocrinology
                     75 [60]
                     50 [40]
Ear, Nose, and Throat/Otolaryngology
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Gastroenterology
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
General Surgery
                     45 [30]
                     30 [20]
Gynecology and Obstetrics
                     30 [15]
                     20 [10]
Infectious Diseases
                     75 [60]
                     50 [40]
Nephrology
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Neurology
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Neurosurgery
                     75 [60]
                     50 [40]
Oncology: Medical, Surgical
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Oncology: Radiation
                     75 [60]
                     50 [40]
Ophthalmology
                     45 [30]
                     30 [20]
Orthopedic Surgery
                     45 [30]
                     30 [20]
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Plastic Surgery
                     75 [60]
                     50 [40]
Primary Care: Adults
                     30 [15]
                     20 [10]
Primary Care: Pediatric
                     30 [15]
                     20 [10]
Psychiatry
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Pulmonology
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Rheumatology
                     75 [60]
                     50 [40]
Urology
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Vascular Surgery
                     75 [60]
                     50 [40]
(2)  for health care practitioners in the following
Time
                     Distance
Chiropractic
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Occupational Therapy
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Physical Therapy
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Podiatry
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Speech Therapy
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
(3)  for the following types of institutional
Time
                     Distance
Acute Inpatient Hospitals (Emergency Services Available 24/7)
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Acute Inpatient Hospitals (Emergency Services Available 24/7)
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Cardiac Catheterization Services
                     75 [60]
                     50 [40]
Cardiac Surgery Program
                     75 [60]
                     50 [40]
Critical Care Services: Intensive Care Units
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Inpatient or Residential Behavioral Health Facility Services
                     85 [70]
                     55 [45]
Inpatient or Residential Behavioral Health Facility Services
                     85 [70]
                     55 [45]
Mammography
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Outpatient Infusion/Chemotherapy
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Skilled Nursing Facilities
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Surgical Services (Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgical Center)
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
Surgical Services (Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgical Center)
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
(4)  for the following settings:
Time
                     Distance
Outpatient Clinical Behavioral Health (Licensed, Accredited, or Certified)
                     30 [15]
                     20 [10]
Outpatient Clinical Behavioral Health (Licensed, Accredited, or Certified)
                     30 [15]
                     20 [10]
Urgent Care
                     60 [45]
                     40 [30]
(e)  Maximum travel time in minutes and maximum distance in
miles for preferred provider benefit plans by preferred provider
type for each micro county are:
(1)  for the following physicians, as designated by
Time
                     Distance
Allergy and Immunology
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Cardiology
                     80 [50]
                     55 [35]
Cardiothoracic Surgery
                     130 [100]
                     95 [75]
Dermatology
                     90 [60]
                     65 [45]
Emergency Medicine
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Endocrinology
                     130 [100]
                     95 [75]
Ear, Nose, and Throat/Otolaryngology
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Gastroenterology
                     90 [60]
                     65 [45]
General Surgery
                     80 [50]
                     55 [35]
Gynecology and Obstetrics
                     60 [30]
                     40 [20]
Infectious Diseases
                     130 [100]
                     95 [75]
Nephrology
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Neurology
                     90 [60]
                     65 [45]
Neurosurgery
                     130 [100]
                     95 [75]
Oncology: Medical, Surgical
                     90 [60]
                     65 [45]
Oncology: Radiation
                     130 [100]
                     95 [75]
Ophthalmology
                     80 [50]
                     55 [35]
Orthopedic Surgery
                     80 [50]
                     55 [35]
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Plastic Surgery
                     130 [100]
                     95 [75]
Primary Care: Adults
                     60 [30]
                     40 [20]
Primary Care: Pediatric
                     60 [30]
                     40 [20]
Psychiatry
                     90 [60]
                     65 [45]
Pulmonology
                     90 [60]
                     65 [45]
Rheumatology
                     130 [100]
                     95 [75]
Urology
                     90 [60]
                     65 [45]
Vascular Surgery
                     130 [100]
                     95 [75]
(2)  for health care practitioners in the following
Time
                     Distance
Chiropractic
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Occupational Therapy
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Physical Therapy
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Podiatry
                     90 [60]
                     65 [45]
Speech Therapy
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
(3)  for the following types of institutional
Time
                     Distance
Acute Inpatient Hospitals (Emergency Services Available 24/7)
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Acute Inpatient Hospitals (Emergency Services Available 24/7)
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Cardiac Catheterization Services
                     190 [160]
                     140 [120]
Cardiac Surgery Program
                     190 [160]
                     140 [120]
Critical Care Services: Intensive Care Units
                     190 [160]
                     140 [120]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Inpatient or Residential Behavioral Health Facility Services
                     130 [100]
                     95 [75]
Inpatient or Residential Behavioral Health Facility Services
                     130 [100]
                     95 [75]
Mammography
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Outpatient Infusion/Chemotherapy
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Skilled Nursing Facilities
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Surgical Services (Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgical Center)
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
Surgical Services (Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgical Center)
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
(4)  for the following settings:
Time
                     Distance
Outpatient Clinical Behavioral Health (Licensed, Accredited, or Certified)
                     60 [30]
                     40 [20]
Outpatient Clinical Behavioral Health (Licensed, Accredited, or Certified)
                     60 [30]
                     40 [20]
Urgent Care
                     110 [80]
                     80 [60]
(f)  Maximum travel time in minutes and maximum distance in
miles for preferred provider benefit plans by preferred provider
type for each rural county are:
(1)  for the following physicians, as designated by
Time
                     Distance
Allergy and Immunology
                     120 [90]
                     95 [75]
Cardiology
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Cardiothoracic Surgery
                     140 [110]
                     110 [90]
Dermatology
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Emergency Medicine
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Endocrinology
                     140 [110]
                     110 [90]
Ear, Nose, and Throat/Otolaryngology
                     120 [90]
                     95 [75]
Gastroenterology
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
General Surgery
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Gynecology and Obstetrics
                     70 [40]
                     50 [30]
Infectious Diseases
                     140 [110]
                     110 [90]
Nephrology
                     120 [90]
                     95 [75]
Neurology
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Neurosurgery
                     140 [110]
                     110 [90]
Oncology: Medical, Surgical
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Oncology: Radiation
                     140 [110]
                     110 [90]
Ophthalmology
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Orthopedic Surgery
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
                     120 [90]
                     95 [75]
Plastic Surgery
                     140 [110]
                     110 [90]
Primary Care: Adults
                     70 [40]
                     50 [30]
Primary Care: Pediatric
                     70 [40]
                     50 [30]
Psychiatry
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Pulmonology
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Rheumatology
                     140 [110]
                     110 [90]
Urology
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Vascular Surgery
                     140 [110]
                     110 [90]
(2)  for health care practitioners in the following
Time
                     Distance
Chiropractic
                     120 [90]
                     95 [75]
Occupational Therapy
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Physical Therapy
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Podiatry
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Speech Therapy
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
(3)  for the following types of institutional
Time
                     Distance
Acute Inpatient Hospitals (Emergency Services Available 24/7)
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Acute Inpatient Hospitals (Emergency Services Available 24/7)
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Cardiac Catheterization Services
                     175 [145]
                     140 [120]
Cardiac Surgery Program
                     175 [145]
                     140 [120]
Critical Care Services: Intensive Care Units
                     175 [145]
                     140 [120]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Inpatient or Residential Behavioral Health Facility Services
                     120 [90]
                     95 [75]
Inpatient or Residential Behavioral Health Facility Services
                     120 [90]
                     95 [75]
Mammography
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Outpatient Infusion/Chemotherapy
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Skilled Nursing Facilities
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Surgical Services (Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgical Center)
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
Surgical Services (Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgical Center)
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
(4)  for the following settings:
Time
                     Distance
Health (Licensed, Accredited, or Certified)
                     70 [40]
                     50 [30]
Urgent Care
                     105 [75]
                     80 [60]
(g)  Maximum travel time in minutes and maximum distance in
miles for preferred provider benefit plans by preferred provider
type for each county with extreme access considerations are:
(1)  for the following physicians, as designated by
Time
                     Distance
Allergy and Immunology
                     155 [125]
                     140 [110]
Cardiology
                     125 [95]
                     115 [85]
Cardiothoracic Surgery
                     175 [145]
                     160 [130]
Dermatology
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Emergency Medicine
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Endocrinology
                     175 [145]
                     160 [130]
Ear, Nose, and Throat/Otolaryngology
                     155 [125]
                     140 [110]
Gastroenterology
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
General Surgery
                     125 [95]
                     115 [85]
Gynecology and Obstetrics
                     100 [70]
                     90 [60]
Infectious Diseases
                     175 [145]
                     160 [130]
Nephrology
                     155 [125]
                     140 [110]
Neurology
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Neurosurgery
                     175 [145]
                     160 [130]
Oncology: Medical, Surgical
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Oncology: Radiation
                     175 [145]
                     160 [130]
Ophthalmology
                     125 [95]
                     115 [85]
Orthopedic Surgery
                     125 [95]
                     115 [85]
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
                     155 [125]
                     140 [110]
Plastic Surgery
                     175 [145]
                     160 [130]
Primary Care: Adults
                     100 [70]
                     90 [60]
Primary Care: Pediatric
                     100 [70]
                     90 [60]
Psychiatry
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Pulmonology
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Rheumatology
                     175 [145]
                     160 [130]
Urology
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Vascular Surgery
                     175 [145]
                     160 [130]
(2)  for health care practitioners in the following
Time
                     Distance
Chiropractic
                     155 [125]
                     140 [110]
Occupational Therapy
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Physical Therapy
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Podiatry
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Speech Therapy
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
(3)  for the following institutional providers:
Time
                     Distance
Acute Inpatient Hospitals (Emergency Services Available 24/7)
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Acute Inpatient Hospitals (Emergency Services Available 24/7)
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Cardiac Catheterization Services
                     185 [155]
                     170 [140]
Cardiac Surgery Program
                     185 [155]
                     170 [140]
Critical Care Services: Intensive Care Units
                     185 [155]
                     170 [140]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Diagnostic Radiology (Freestanding; Hospital Outpatient; Ambulatory Health Facilities with Diagnostic Radiology)
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Inpatient or Residential Behavioral Health Facility Services
                     185 [155]
                     170 [140]
Inpatient or Residential Behavioral Health Facility Services
                     185 [155]
                     170 [140]
Mammography
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Outpatient Infusion/Chemotherapy
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Skilled Nursing Facilities
                     125 [95]
                     115 [85]
Surgical Services (Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgical Center)
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
Surgical Services (Outpatient or Ambulatory Surgical Center)
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
(4)  for the following settings:
Time
                     Distance
Health (Licensed, Accredited, or Certified)
                     100 [70]
                     90 [60]
Urgent Care
                     140 [110]
                     130 [100]
SECTION 3.  Section 1301.0056(a-1), Insurance Code, is
(a-1)  An insurer is subject to a qualifying examination of
the insurer's preferred provider benefit plans and subsequent
quality of care and network adequacy examinations by the
commissioner at least once every three years[, in connection with a
public hearing under Section 1301.00565 concerning a material
deviation from network adequacy standards by a previously
authorized plan or a request for a waiver of a network adequacy
standard,] and whenever the commissioner considers an examination
necessary.  Documentation provided to the commissioner during an
examination conducted under this section is confidential and is not
subject to disclosure as public information under Chapter 552,
SECTION 4.  Section 1301.009(b), Insurance Code, is amended
(1)  be verified by at least two principal officers;
(2)  be in a form prescribed by the commissioner; and
(A)  a financial statement of the insurer,
including its balance sheet and receipts and disbursements for the
preceding calendar year, certified by an independent public
(B)  the number of individuals enrolled during the
preceding calendar year, the number of enrollees as of the end of
that year, and the number of enrollments terminated during that
(i)  an evaluation of enrollee satisfaction;
(ii)  an evaluation of quality of care;
(viii)  the range of benefits provided;
(ix)  copayments and deductibles;
(x)  the accuracy and speed of claims
payment by the insurer for the plan;
(xi)  the credentials of physicians who are
(xii)  the number of preferred providers;
(xiii)  any waiver requests made and waivers
of network adequacy standards granted under Section 1301.0055
(xiv)  any material deviation from network
adequacy standards reported to the department under Section
(xv)  any corrective actions, sanctions, or
penalties assessed against the insurer by the department for
deficiencies related to the preferred provider benefit plan.
SECTION 5.  Sections 1301.00555 and 1301.00565, Insurance
SECTION 6.  The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an insurance policy that is delivered, issued for delivery, or
renewed on or after January 1, 2026.  A policy delivered, issued
for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2026, is governed by the
law as it existed immediately before the effective date of this Act,
and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to network adequacy standards for preferred provider