Bill

HB 3024

84(R) - 2015
House Insurance
House Insurance
Insurance

Vote Recommendation

No
  • Negative
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Negative
  • Neutral

Author(s)

Bobby Guerra

Bill Caption

Relating to coordination of dental benefits under certain insurance policies.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

5/20/15 Update:
This bill is substantively the same as when we reported on it in its original chamber. We continue to oppose HB 3024. The second chamber sponsor is Senator Hinojosa.

Original chamber analysis below:

The bill would add Subchapter B to Chapter 1203 of the Insurance Code. Subchapter B would apply only to an insurance policy that provides benefits for dental expenses, including, except as provided by Section 1203.051 (b) of the bill, an individual, group, blanket, or franchise insurance policy or insurance agreement, or a group hospital service contract, that is offered by certain health insurance carriers.

The bill specifies the procedure for coordinating benefits between separate dental insurance providers. The primary insurer, as determined under a coordination of benefits provision applicable to the policies, would be responsible for dental expenses covered under the insurance policy issued by the primary insurer up to the full amount of any policy limit applicable to the covered dental expenses. Before the policy limit is reached, the secondary insurer, as determined under a coordination of benefits provision applicable to the policies, would be responsible only for dental expenses covered under the insurance policy issued by the secondary insurer that are not covered under the policy issued by the primary insurer. After the policy limit is reached, the secondary insurer would be responsible for any dental expenses covered by both policies that exceed the policy limit described by Section 1203.052 (b) of the bill, but do not exceed the policy limit of the secondary policy.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Coordinating benefits between multiple dental insurance providers should be accomplished within the private sector rather than being mandated by the government. Creating new state mandates on private enterprise abridges our limited government and free market principles. Therefore, we oppose HB 3024.