PREMIUM RATES: NOTICE OF INCREASE.

(a) Not less than 60 days before the date on which a premium rate increase takes effect on a small employer health benefit plan delivered or issued for delivery in this state by an insurer, the insurer shall:

(1) give written notice to the small employer of the effective date of the increase; and

(2) provide the small employer a table that clearly lists:

(A) the actual dollar amount of the premium on the date of the notice;

(B) the actual dollar amount of the premium after the premium rate increase; and

(C) the percentage change between the amounts described by Paragraphs (A) and (B).

(b) The notice required by this section must be based on coverage in effect on the date of the notice.

(c) This section may not be construed to prevent an insurer, at the request of a small employer, from negotiating a change in benefits or rates after delivery of the notice required by this section.

(d) An insurer may not require a small employer entitled to notice under this section to respond to the insurer to renew the policy or take other action relating to the renewal or extension of the policy before the 45th day after the date the notice described by Subsection (a) is given.

(e) The notice required by this section must include:

(1) contact information for the department, including information concerning how to file a complaint with the department;

(2) contact information for the Texas Consumer Health Assistance Program, including information concerning how to request from the program consumer protection information or assistance with filing a complaint; and

(3) the addresses of Internet websites that provide consumer information related to rate increase justifications, including the websites of the department and the United States Department of Health and Human Services.