Sec. 1204.053.  ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS.  (a)  An insurer may not deliver, renew, or issue for delivery in this state a health insurance policy that prohibits or restricts a covered person from making a written assignment of benefits to a physician or other health care provider who provides health care services to the person.
(b)  This section does not:
(1)  provide a coverage or benefit that is not otherwise available under the health insurance policy;
(2)  allow assignment of a benefit to:
(A)  a person who is not legally entitled to receive such a direct payment;  or
(B)  another person if, under the health insurance policy or plan, the benefit must be provided to the covered person by a physician or other health care provider who is a contractor or preferred provider under the policy;  or
(3)  prohibit an insurer from verifying, through the insurer's normal process, the health care services the physician or other health care provider provides to the covered person.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1274, Sec. 3, eff. April 1, 2005.