1. (a) Pursuant to Insurance Code §843.320, a contract between an HMO and a physician may not require the physician to use a hospitalist for a hospitalized patient.
2. (b) Pursuant to the Insurance Code §843.3045, an HMO may not refuse to contract with a nurse first assistant as defined by the Occupations Code §301.353, as added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg. R.S., ch. 966, sec. 1, as amended, to be included in the HMO's provider network or refuse to reimburse the nurse first assistant for a covered service that a physician has requested the nurse first assistant to perform.
3. (c) An HMO may not by contract or any other method require a physician to use the services of a nurse first assistant as defined by the Occupations Code §301.353, as added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg. R.S., ch. 966, sec. 1, as amended.
4. (d) Pursuant to Insurance Code §843.319 (Certain Required Contracts), an HMO may not deny a contract to a podiatrist licensed by the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners who joins the professional practice of a contracted physician or provider, satisfies the HMO's application procedures and meets the HMO's qualification and credentialing requirements for contracting.
5. (e) Pursuant to Insurance Code §843.312, an HMO may not refuse a request by a contracted physician and a physician assistant or advanced practice nurse who is authorized by the physician to provide care under Subchapter B, Chapter 157, Occupations Code, to identify a physician assistant or advanced practice nurse as a provider in the HMO's network, provided the physician assistant or advanced practice nurse meets the quality of care standards for participation in the HMO's network.

Source Note:The provisions of this §11.902 adopted to be effective February 24, 2005, 30 TexReg 854; amended to be effective November 15, 2006, 31 TexReg 9298.