Sec. 1301.0058.  PROTECTED COMMUNICATIONS BY PREFERRED PROVIDERS.  (a)  An insurer may not in any manner prohibit, attempt to prohibit, penalize, terminate, or otherwise restrict a preferred provider from communicating with an insured about the availability of out-of-network providers for the provision of the insured's medical or health care services.
(b)  An insurer may not terminate the contract of or otherwise penalize a preferred provider solely because the provider's patients use out-of-network providers for medical or health care services.
(c)  An insurer's contract with a preferred provider may require that, except in a case of a medical emergency as determined by the preferred provider, before the provider may make an out-of-network referral for an insured, the preferred provider inform the insured:
(1)  that:
(A)  the insured may choose a preferred provider or an out-of-network provider; and
(B)  if the insured chooses the out-of-network provider the insured may incur higher out-of-pocket expenses; and
(2)  whether the preferred provider has a financial interest in the out-of-network provider.
Added by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 275 (H.B. 574), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2015.