SB1307 - Relating to a biennial health coverage reference guide developed by the Texas Department of Insurance.

      S.B. No. 1307         AN ACT   relating to a biennial health coverage reference guide developed by   the Texas Department of Insurance.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle B, Title 5, Insurance Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 524A to read as follows:   CHAPTER 524A. PUBLIC EDUCATION ON HEALTH COVERAGE           Sec.   524A.001.     BIENNIAL HEALTH COVERAGE REFERENCE GUIDE.   (a) The department shall consult with the Health and Human Services   Commission to develop a biennial reference guide designed to   educate the public about health coverage in this state.           (b)     The reference guide must include the following   information:                 (1)     the biennial period covered by the current   edition;                 (2)     definitions of the term "health insurance" and   terms used to describe other forms of health coverage;                 (3)     sources from which consumers may obtain health   coverage, including through employers, and an explanation of how   coverage may be obtained from each of those sources;                 (4)     a guide to consumer rights and resources related   to health coverage;                 (5)  a health coverage shopping guide that includes:                       (A)     an explanation of discount cards and other   noninsurance health coverage products and a comparison of those   products to health insurance;                       (B)     an explanation and comparison of common types   of short-term or disease-specific health coverage;                       (C)     an explanation and comparison of preferred   provider benefit plans, exclusive provider benefit plans, health   maintenance organizations, and point-of-service plans;                       (D)     an explanation of provider networks and the   differences between in-network providers and out-of-network   providers;                       (E)     an explanation of the Affordable Care Act   marketplace plan categories of bronze, silver, gold, and platinum;                       (F)     an explanation of the out-of-pocket costs of   health coverage, including premiums, deductibles, copayments, and   coinsurance; and                       (G)     information on how to recognize health   coverage scams;                 (6)     an explanation of the effect of the Consolidated   Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (Pub. L. No.   99-272) on   consumers' health coverage;                 (7)     a basic overview of federal, state, and local   programs that may assist consumers to obtain health care services;                 (8)     methods for a consumer to resolve disputes with a   health coverage issuer or administrator;                 (9)     methods to seek assistance from the department for   a complaint regarding a health coverage plan or product; and                 (10)     the areas of health coverage regulated by the   department and those regulated by federal law, including the   Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. Section   1001 et seq.).           (c)     The department shall publish the reference guide   developed under this section on the department's Internet website   and in a printed form available to the public on request.          SECTION 2.  The Texas Department of Insurance shall publish   the first biennial reference guide under Section 524A.001,   Insurance Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1,   2026.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1307 passed the Senate on   April 9, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1307 passed the House on   May 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 91, Nays 38, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor