H.B. No. 721 amends the Texas Insurance Code to clarify the applicability of certain laws regarding health care cost disclosures by health benefit plan issuers and administrators. The bill specifies that the chapter applies to various types of health benefit plans, including small employer health benefit plans, standard health benefit plans, and self-funded health benefit plans sponsored by professional employer organizations. Notably, it removes the previous inclusion of regional or local health care programs and workers' compensation insurance policies from the applicability of this chapter.

Additionally, the bill introduces new exclusions, stating that the chapter does not apply to health reimbursement arrangements or other account-based health benefit plans, as well as reintroducing the exclusion of regional or local health care programs. The changes aim to streamline the regulations surrounding health benefit plans and ensure that specific types of plans are clearly defined in terms of their obligations regarding cost disclosures. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Insurance Code 1662.003 (Insurance Code 1662)
House Committee Report: Insurance Code 1662.003 (Insurance Code 1662)
Engrossed: Insurance Code 1662.003 (Insurance Code 1662)
Senate Committee Report: Insurance Code 1662.003 (Insurance Code 1662)
Enrolled: Insurance Code 1662.003 (Insurance Code 1662)