Sec. 1204.101. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Health benefit plan" means a group, blanket, or franchise insurance policy, a group hospital service contract, or a group subscriber contract or evidence of coverage issued by a health maintenance organization, that provides benefits for health care services.

(2) "Health benefit plan issuer" means an entity authorized under this code or another insurance law of this state that provides health insurance or health benefits in this state, including:

(A) an insurance company;

(B) a group hospital service corporation operating under Chapter 842;

(C) a health maintenance organization operating under Chapter 843; and

(D) a stipulated premium company operating under Chapter 884.

(3) "Provider" means a person who provides health care under a license issued by this state. The term includes a health care practitioner listed in Section 1451.001 and a nurse first assistant, as defined by Section 1451.101.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1274, Sec. 3, eff. April 1, 2005.