1. (a) This chapter applies only to a health benefit plan that provides benefits for health care services, including medical or surgical expenses, incurred as a result of a health condition, accident, or sickness, including:

   1. (1) an individual, group, blanket, or franchise insurance policy or insurance agreement, a group hospital service contract, or an individual or group evidence of coverage that is offered by:

      1. (A) an insurance company;
      2. (B) a group hospital service corporation operating under Chapter 842;
      3. (C) a fraternal benefit society operating under Chapter 885;
      4. (D) a stipulated premium company operating under Chapter 884; or
      5. (E) a health maintenance organization operating under Chapter 843; and

   2. (2) to the extent permitted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. Section 1001 et seq.), a health benefit plan that is offered by:

      1. (A) a multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined by Section 3 of that Act; or
      2. (B) another analogous benefit arrangement.
2. (b) For purposes of Subsection (a), a health benefit plan includes a consumer choice of benefits plan issued under Chapter 1507.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1322 (S.B. 1391), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Renumbered from Insurance Code, Section 1215.002 by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 87 (S.B. 1969), Sec. 27.001(62), eff. September 1, 2009.