DEFINITIONS.

In this subchapter:

(1) "Applicant physician" means a physician applying for expedited credentialing under this subchapter.

(2) "Enrollee" means an individual who is eligible to receive health care services under a managed care plan.

(3) "Health care provider" means:

(A) an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state; or

(B) a hospital, emergency clinic, outpatient clinic, or other facility providing health care services.

(4) "Managed care plan" means a health benefit plan under which health care services are provided to enrollees through contracts with health care providers and that requires enrollees to use participating providers or that provides a different level of coverage for enrollees who use participating providers. The term includes a health benefit plan issued by:

(A) a health maintenance organization;

(B) a preferred provider benefit plan issuer; or

(C) any other entity that issues a health benefit plan, including an insurance company.

(5) "Medical group" means:

(A) a single legal entity owned by two or more physicians;

(B) a professional association composed of licensed physicians;

(C) any other business entity composed of licensed physicians as permitted under Subchapter B, Chapter 162, Occupations Code; or

(D) two or more physicians on the medical staff of, or teaching at, a medical school or medical and dental unit, as defined or described by Section 61.003, 61.501, or 74.601, Education Code.

(6) "Participating provider" means a health care provider who has contracted with a health benefit plan issuer to provide services to enrollees.