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HB 2371

                                                                                



                                                                  H.B. No. 2371




AN ACT

relating to the use of acupuncturists as health care providers 
under certain health benefit plans.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter I, Chapter 843, Insurance Code, is 
amended by adding Section 843.3041 to read as follows:
	Sec. 843.3041.  ACUPUNCTURIST SERVICES.  (a)  A health 
maintenance organization that includes acupuncture in the services 
covered by the organization's health care plan may not refuse to 
provide reimbursement for the performance of a covered acupuncture 
service solely because the service is performed by an 
acupuncturist.
	(b)  This section does not require a health maintenance 
organization to offer acupuncture as a covered service.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter B, Chapter 1301, Insurance Code, as 
effective April 1, 2005, is amended by adding Section 1301.0515 to 
read as follows:
	Sec. 1301.0515.  ACUPUNCTURIST SERVICES.  (a)  An insurer 
offering a preferred provider benefit plan that includes 
acupuncture in the services covered by the plan may not refuse to 
provide reimbursement for the performance of a covered acupuncture 
service solely because the service is provided by an acupuncturist.
	(b)  This section does not require an insurer to offer 
acupuncture as a covered service.
	SECTION 3.  This Act applies only to an insurance policy, 
certificate, or contract or an evidence of coverage delivered, 
issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2006.  A 
policy, certificate, or contract or evidence of coverage delivered, 
issued for delivery, or renewed before January 1, 2006, is governed 
by the law as it existed immediately before the effective date of 
this Act, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.                           




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.B. No. 2371 was passed by the House on May 
13, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.B. No. 2371 was passed by the Senate on May 
23, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 27, Nays 4.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Secretary of the Senate    



APPROVED:  _____________________                                            
 
                   Date                                                      




 
          _____________________                                          
 
                 Governor