Bill: HB 3124, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
House Insurance
2nd Chamber Committee
Senate Business & Commerce
Vote Recommendation
| Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
| Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Author(s)
Lance Gooden
Sponsor(s)
Brandon Creighton
Bill Caption
Relating to the release of certain
physician-specific comparison data compiled by a health benefit plan issuer, including the release of that data to physicians participating in certain physician-led organizations.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is
anticipated from the provisions of the bill related to the requirements for
health benefit plan issuers. The fiscal implications of the bill on the Texas
Medical Board cannot be determined at this time due to the unavailability of
the estimates on the number of complaints, actions, and administrative
penalties that would be subject to physicians under the provisions of the bill.
Bill Analysis
This bill would allow health benefit plan issuers to release certain physician specific comparison data to a participating physician or designated entity. The measures and methodology used for cost comparison would be required to use risk and severity adjustments to account for health status differences among different patient populations. The health benefit plan issuers would also be required to give notice to the participating physicians explaining the issuer's use of comparison data, the purpose and scope of their release of that data, and informs the physicians of their rights and duties. The bill would also establish disclosure requirements and rules for dispute proceedings related to the release of the comparison data.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This bill does not appear to have a connection to our liberty principles, therefore we remain neutral. It is worth noting, however, that the fact that it takes an act of the legislature to allow this practice to take place is a good indicator of just how overregulated the health insurance and healthcare industries are. There is plenty of room for the state to deregulate rather than spending time micromanaging the processes by which health benefit plan issuers collect, measure, and release data regarding physicians.
