TREATMENT FACILITIES.

(a) A health benefit plan may not deny coverage under this chapter based solely on the fact that the treatment or services are provided at a facility other than a hospital. Treatment for an acquired brain injury may be provided under the coverage required by this chapter, as appropriate, at a facility at which appropriate services may be provided, including:

(1) a hospital regulated under Chapter 241, Health and Safety Code, including an acute or post-acute rehabilitation hospital; and

(2) an assisted living facility regulated under Chapter 247, Health and Safety Code.

(b) This section does not apply to a small employer health benefit plan.

(c) The issuer of a health benefit plan, including a preferred provider benefit plan or health maintenance organization plan, that contracts with or approves admission to a service provider under this chapter may not, solely because a facility is licensed by this state as an assisted living facility, refuse to contract with or approve admission to that facility to provide services that are:

(1) required under this chapter;

(2) within the scope of the license of an assisted living facility; and

(3) within the scope of the services provided under a CARF-accredited rehabilitation program for brain injury or another nationally recognized accredited rehabilitation program for brain injury.

(d) The issuer of a health benefit plan that requires or encourages insureds or enrollees to use health care providers designated by the plan shall ensure that the services required by this chapter that are within the scope of the license of an assisted living facility and that may be provided under a program described by Subsection (c)(3) are made available and accessible to the insureds or enrollees at an adequate number of assisted living facilities.

(e) A health benefit plan may not treat care provided in accordance with this chapter as custodial care solely because it is provided by an assisted living facility if the facility holds a CARF accreditation or other nationally recognized accreditation for a rehabilitation program for brain injury.

(f) To ensure the health and safety of insureds and enrollees, the commissioner may require that a licensed assisted living facility that provides covered post-acute care other than custodial care under this chapter to an insured or enrollee with acquired brain injury hold a CARF accreditation or other nationally recognized accreditation for a rehabilitation program for brain injury.