The bill amends Sections 843.209 and 1301.162 of the Texas Insurance Code to establish new requirements for identification cards issued by health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs). For HMOs, the identification card must now display the acronym "HMO" in a location of the organization's choice, in addition to indicating that the organization is regulated under the code and providing either the enrollee's first date of enrollment or a toll-free number for providers to obtain that date. Similarly, for PPOs, the card must display the acronym "PPO" in a location of the insurer's choice, along with the same enrollment date information.

Furthermore, the bill clarifies that the presence of the "HMO" or "PPO" acronym on the identification card does not guarantee access to discounted rates for services provided by out-of-network physicians or providers. These amendments will apply only to identification cards issued on or after January 1, 2026, and the act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 843.209, Insurance Code 1301.162 (Insurance Code 843, Insurance Code 1301)