Sec. 1452.101.  DEFINITIONS.  In this subchapter:
(1)  "Applicant physician" means a physician applying for expedited credentialing under this subchapter.
(2)  "Enrollee" means an individual who is eligible to receive health care services under a managed care plan.
(3)  "Health care provider" means:
(A)  an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services in this state; or
(B)  a hospital, emergency clinic, outpatient clinic, or other facility providing health care services.
(4)  "Managed care plan" means a health benefit plan under which health care services are provided to enrollees through contracts with health care providers and that requires enrollees to use participating providers or that provides a different level of coverage for enrollees who use participating providers.  The term includes a health benefit plan issued by:
(A)  a health maintenance organization;
(B)  a preferred provider benefit plan issuer; or
(C)  any other entity that issues a health benefit plan, including an insurance company.
(5)  "Medical group" means:
(A)  a single legal entity owned by two or more physicians;
(B)  a professional association composed of licensed physicians;
(C)  any other business entity composed of licensed physicians as permitted under Subchapter B, Chapter 162, Occupations Code; or
(D)  two or more physicians on the medical staff of, or teaching at, a medical school or medical and dental unit, as defined or described by Section 61.003, 61.501, or 74.601, Education Code.
(6)  "Participating provider" means a health care provider who has contracted with a health benefit plan issuer to provide services to enrollees.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1203 (H.B. 1594), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.
Amended by: 
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 296 (H.B. 389), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 414 (S.B. 822), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2011.