The bill, S.B. No. 1487, aims to enhance the role of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) within health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider benefit plans in Texas. It introduces new provisions that allow HMOs to contract directly with APRNs to provide healthcare services, irrespective of whether the supervising physician is affiliated with the HMO. Additionally, insurers offering preferred provider plans can designate APRNs as preferred providers, regardless of the status of their supervising physicians. Importantly, the bill clarifies that these provisions do not grant HMOs or insurers the authority to supervise or control the practice of medicine, in accordance with existing regulations.

The bill amends the Insurance Code by adding Sections 843.3125 and 1301.0525, which outline the conditions under which APRNs can be recognized as participating or preferred providers. These changes are intended to improve access to healthcare services by allowing APRNs to operate more independently within the healthcare system. The provisions will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()