The Texas Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers (TAFEC) supports legislation introduced in the Texas Legislature aimed at increasing oversight of health insurance companies and protecting consumers from surprise medical costs.
The bills, many of which have bi-partisan support, seek to increase transparency in the health insurance industry, ensure the Texas Department of Insurance has the resources to enforce current statutes regulating health insurance companies, and allow healthcare providers to advocate on behalf of their patients for fair payment.
The current healthcare landscape in Texas allows health insurance companies to operate with limited oversight or enforcement of existing regulations.
To ensure health plans are discouraged from underpaying providers, Rep. Sergio Munoz Jr. has filed HB 2620, which would award damages and court costs to the plaintiff in disputes regarding prohibited acts or practices by insurers.
TAFEC also supports HB 2942 filed by Rep. Munoz Jr., HB 2945 by Rep. Munoz Jr., SB 1485 by Sen. Donna Campbell, HB 3755 by Rep. Rodney Anderson, and SB 1486 by Sen. Donna Campbell. These bills promote adequate networks and create a standard for fair reimbursement in order to reduce the instances of surprise bills.
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