Sec. 1501.056.  PRIVATE PURCHASING COOPERATIVES AND HEALTH GROUP COOPERATIVES.  (a)  Two or more small or large employers may form a private purchasing cooperative to purchase small or large employer health benefit plans.  Subject to Subsection (d), a person may form a health group cooperative to purchase employer health benefit plans.  A cooperative must be organized as a nonprofit corporation and has the rights and duties provided by the Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act (Article 1396-1.01 et seq., Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
(b)  On receipt of a certificate of incorporation or certificate of authority from the secretary of state, the cooperative shall file written notice of the receipt of the certificate and a copy of the cooperative's organizational documents with the commissioner.
(c)  Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 42 , Sec. 3.01(5), eff. September 1, 2015.
(d)  A health benefit plan issuer may not form, or be a member of, a health group cooperative.  A health benefit plan issuer may associate with a sponsoring entity, such as a business association, chamber of commerce, or other organization representing employers or serving an analogous function, to assist the sponsoring entity in forming a health group cooperative.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1274, Sec. 3, eff. April 1, 2005.
Amended by: 
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 11.050(a), eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 728 (H.B. 2018), Sec. 11.050(b), eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 42 (S.B. 784), Sec. 3.01(5), eff. September 1, 2015.