CONSUMER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS.

Text of article effective upon appropriation of funds

(a) The consumer assistance program for health maintenance organizations is established. The commissioner may contract, through a request for proposals, with a nonprofit organization to operate the program.

(b) The program shall:

(1) assist individual consumers in complaints or appeals within the operation of a health maintenance organization, and outside of the operation of a health maintenance organization, including appeals under Article 21.58A of this code or in Medicaid and Medicare fair hearings; and

(2) refer consumers to other programs or agencies if appropriate.

(c) The program may:

(1) operate a statewide clearinghouse for objective consumer information about health care coverage, including options for obtaining health care coverage; and

(2) accept gifts, grants, or donations from any source for the purpose of operating the program. The program may charge reasonable fees to consumers to support the program.

(d) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1147, Sec. 2.008(1), eff. September 1, 2011.

(e) A nonprofit organization contracting with the commissioner pursuant to Subsection (a) must not be involved in providing health care or health care plans and must demonstrate that it has expertise in providing direct assistance to consumers with respect to their concerns and problems with health maintenance organizations.