Sec. 1501.063. STATUS AS EMPLOYER. (a) A small employer health coalition that otherwise meets the description of a small employer is considered a single small employer for all purposes under this chapter.

(b) A health group cooperative that is composed of only small employers, only large employers, or both small and large employers is considered a single employer under this code.

(b-1) A health group cooperative that is composed only of small employers and that has made the election described by Section 1501.0581(o)(1) in accordance with Subsection (p) of that section shall be treated in the same manner as a small employer for the purposes of this chapter, including for the purposes of any provision relating to premium rates and issuance and renewal of coverage.

(b-2) A health group cooperative that is composed only of small employers and that has not made the election described by Section 1501.0581(o)(1) in accordance with Subsection (p) of that section, or a health group cooperative that is composed of both small and large employers, may be treated in the same manner as a large employer for the purposes of this chapter, including for the purposes of any provision relating to premium rates and issuance and renewal of coverage.

(b-3) Except as provided by Section 1501.0581(k), a health group cooperative shall have sole authority to make benefit elections and perform other administrative functions under this code for the cooperative's participating employers.

(c) Any other cooperative formed under this subchapter is considered an employer solely for the purposes of benefit elections under this code.

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

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 11.052(c), eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 823 (S.B. 805), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2005.

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 547 (S.B. 1255), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1067 (S.B. 859), Sec. 4, eff. June 17, 2011.