HBA-ATS S.B. 881 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 881
By: Jackson
Insurance
5/7/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires the enrollment period for large and small employer
health benefit plans to consist of an entire calendar month, beginning on
the first day of the month and ending on the last day of the month.
Statutorily specifying when an enrollment period must begin and end may
lead to problems for employers and their employees.  S.B. 881 deletes
provisions specifying the days during which an initial enrollment period
for health insurance coverage for employees and their dependents, if
applicable, begins and ends. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Article 26.83(f), Insurance Code, by deleting the
provision specifying the duration of days during which an initial
enrollment period for health insurance coverage for employees who meet the
participation criteria established by a large employer begins and ends.
What remains is the provision that an initial enrollment plan must be at
least 31 days, with a 31-day annual open enrollment period. 
  
SECTION 2.  Amends Article 26.21(h), Insurance Code, by deleting the
provision specifying the duration of days during which an initial
enrollment period for health insurance coverage for employees and their
dependents established by a small employer begins and ends.  What remains
is the provision that an initial enrollment plan must be at least 31 days,
with a 31-day annual open enrollment period. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.