INCLUSION OF CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN PROVIDER NETWORKS.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, including Sections 843.312 and 1301.052, Insurance Code, the executive commissioner shall adopt rules to require a managed care organization or other entity to ensure that advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants are available as primary care providers in the organization's or entity's provider network. The rules must require advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to be treated in the same manner as primary care physicians with regard to:

(1) selection and assignment as primary care providers;

(2) inclusion as primary care providers in the provider network; and

(3) inclusion as primary care providers in any provider network directory maintained by the organization or entity.

(b) For purposes of Subsection (a), an advanced practice registered nurse may be included as a primary care provider in a managed care organization's or entity's provider network regardless of whether the physician supervising the advanced practice registered nurse is in the provider network.

(c) This section may not be construed as authorizing a managed care organization or other entity to supervise or control the practice of medicine as prohibited by Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code.