Sec. 1661.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:
(1)  "Health benefit plan" means a plan that provides benefits for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of a health condition, accident, or sickness, 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 that is offered by:
(A)  an insurance company;
(B)  a group hospital service corporation operating under Chapter 842;
(C)  a fraternal benefit society operating under Chapter 885;
(D)  a stipulated premium company operating under Chapter 884;
(E)  a Lloyd's plan operating under Chapter 941;
(F)  an exchange operating under Chapter 942;
(G)  a health maintenance organization operating under Chapter 843;
(H)  a multiple employer welfare arrangement that holds a certificate of authority under Chapter 846;
(I)  an approved nonprofit health corporation that holds a certificate of authority under Chapter 844; or
(J)  an entity not authorized under this code or another insurance law of this state that contracts directly for health care services on a risk-sharing basis, including a capitation basis.
(2)  "Health benefit plan issuer" means an entity authorized to issue a health benefit plan in this state.
(3)  "Health care provider" means:
(A)  an individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services; or
(B)  a hospital, emergency clinic, outpatient clinic, or other facility providing health care services.
(4)  "Participating provider" means a health care provider who has contracted with a health benefit plan issuer to provide services to enrollees.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 261 (H.B. 1342), Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 2009.