Sec. 1301.005. AVAILABILITY OF PREFERRED PROVIDERS. (a) An insurer offering a preferred provider benefit plan shall ensure that both preferred provider benefits and basic level benefits are reasonably available to all insureds within a designated service area. This subsection does not apply to an exclusive provider benefit plan.

(b) If services are not available through a preferred provider within a designated service area under a preferred provider benefit plan or an exclusive provider benefit plan, an insurer shall reimburse a physician or health care provider who is not a preferred provider at the same percentage level of reimbursement as a preferred provider would have been reimbursed had the insured been treated by a preferred provider.

(c) Subsection (b) does not require reimbursement at a preferred level of coverage solely because an insured resides out of the service area and chooses to receive services from a provider other than a preferred provider for the insured's own convenience.

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

Amended by:

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 288 (H.B. 1772), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2011.