Bill > HB4009

This bill introduces a new chapter to the Texas Insurance Code that allows health benefit plan issuers to offer "employer choice of benefits plans" - group health insurance plans that can partially or wholly exclude state-mandated health benefits. These plans must still cover essential health benefits as defined by federal regulations and must provide clear, bold-type warnings to enrollees about potential limitations in coverage. Health benefit plan issuers offering such plans must also provide employers with a written disclosure statement listing which specific state-mandated benefits are not included, and employers must sign and return this statement. Importantly, issuers must also continue to offer at least one traditional group health benefit plan that includes all state-mandated benefits. The goal appears to be providing more affordable health insurance options for employers by allowing them to select plans with fewer mandated coverages, while ensuring transparency about the potential gaps in coverage. The bill defines state-mandated health benefits broadly, including specific service coverages, practitioner restrictions, standard provisions, and requirements that exceed federal mandates. These employer choice of benefits plans would be exempt from certain insurance laws not specifically addressing this new type of plan.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4009