Where is info on Texas advocate seeks ban on insurers blanket clauses?
AUSTIN – The state’s insurance consumer advocate is seeking to eliminate the blanket authority of health and disability insurers to decide what their policies cover, a shift that could have a major impact on health insurance in Texas. Public Insurance Counsel Deeia Beck has asked the state’s insurance commissioner to end long-standing provisions in most health plans, called “discretionary” clauses, that give insurers the right to interpret their policies and decide what benefits must be paid. “Consumers are now at the mercy of health insurers,” Beck said. The health insurance industry strongly opposes such a change. Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin has held a hearing on the proposal and is considering whether to move forward. Twenty-two states have banned the practice, either through state law or new regulations. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has recommended to its members that the practice be stopped. “It’s hard to defend giving insurance companies this kind o
The state’s insurance consumer advocate is seeking to eliminate the blanket authority of health and disability insurers to decide what their policies cover, a shift that could have a major impact on health insurance in Texas. Public Insurance Counsel Deeia Beck has asked the state’s insurance commissioner to end long-standing provisions in most health plans, called “discretionary” clauses, that give insurers the right to interpret their policies and decide what benefits must be paid. “Consumers are now at the mercy of health insurers,” Beck said. The health insurance industry strongly opposes such a change. Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin has held a hearing on the proposal and is considering whether to move forward. Twenty-two states have banned the practice, either through state law or new regulations. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has recommended to its members that the practice be stopped. “It’s hard to defend giving insurance companies this kind of authori
