TITLE: Relating to requirements regarding information to be provided to employees covered by workers' compensation health care networks.

SUMMARY: Relating to requirements regarding information to be provided to employees covered by workers' compensation health care networks.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to requirements regarding information to be provided to employees covered by workers' compensation health care networks. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 1305.103(c), Insurance Code, is amended to read as follows: (c) An employee who lives within the service area of a network and who is being treated by a non-network provider for an injury that occurred before the employer's insurance carrier established or contracted with the network, shall select a network treating doctor on notification by the carrier that health care services are being provided through the network. The carrier shall provide to the employee all information required by Section 1305.451. If the employee fails to select a treating doctor on or before the 14th day after the date of receipt of the information required by Section 1305.451, the network may assign the employee a network treating doctor. An issue regarding whether a carrier properly provided an employee the information required by this subsection may be resolved using the process for adjudication of disputes under Chapter 410, Labor Code, as used by the department's division of workers' compensation. SECTION 2. Section 1305.451, Insurance Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (e) An issue regarding whether an employer properly provided an employee with the information required by this section may be resolved using the process for adjudication of disputes under Chapter 410, Labor Code, as used by the department's division of workers' compensation. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.