DEFINITIONS.

In this subchapter:

(1) "Core credentials data" means:

(A) name and other demographic data;

(B) professional education;

(C) professional training;

(D) licenses; and

(E) Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates certification.

(2) "Credentials verification organization" means an organization that is certified or accredited and organized to collect, verify, maintain, store, and provide to health care entities a health care practitioner's verified credentials data, including all corrections, updates, and modifications to that data. For purposes of this subdivision, "certified" or "accredited" includes certification or accreditation by a nationally recognized accreditation organization.

(3) "Health care entity" means:

(A) a health care facility or other health care organization licensed or certified to provide approved medical and allied health services in this state;

(B) an entity licensed by the Texas Department of Insurance as a prepaid health care plan or health maintenance organization or as an insurer to provide coverage for health care services through a network of providers; or

(C) a health care provider entity accepting delegated credentialing functions from a health maintenance organization.

(4) "Physician" means a holder of or applicant for a license under this subtitle as a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy.