Sec. 1213.001.  DEFINITION OF HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN.  (a)  In this chapter, "health benefit plan" means a plan that provides benefits for medical, surgical, or other treatment expenses incurred as a result of a health condition, a mental health condition, an accident, sickness, or substance abuse, including an individual, group, blanket, or franchise insurance policy or insurance agreement, a group hospital service contract, or an individual or group evidence of coverage or similar coverage document that is offered by:
(1)  an insurance company;
(2)  a group hospital service corporation operating under Chapter 842;
(3)  a fraternal benefit society operating under Chapter 885;
(4)  a stipulated premium insurance company operating under Chapter 884;
(5)  a Lloyd's plan operating under Chapter 941;
(6)  an exchange operating under Chapter 942;
(7)  a health maintenance organization operating under Chapter 843;
(8)  a multiple employer welfare arrangement that holds a certificate of authority under Chapter 846; or
(9)  an approved nonprofit health corporation that holds a certificate of authority under Chapter 844.
(b)  The term includes:
(1)  a small employer health benefit plan written under Chapter 1501; and
(2)  a health benefit plan offered under Chapter 1551, 1575, 1579, or 1601.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 11.029(a), eff. September 1, 2005.