The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
  (1) Basic benefit--Health care service or coverage, which is included in the evidence of coverage, policy, or certificate, without additional premium.
  (2) Caretaker--A family member or significant other responsible for ensuring that an insured not able to manage his or her illness (due to age or infirmity) is properly managed, including overseeing diet, administration of medications, and use of equipment and supplies.
  (3) Diabetes--Diabetes mellitus. A chronic disorder of glucose metabolism that can be characterized by an elevated blood glucose level. The terms "diabetes" and "diabetes mellitus" are synonymous.
  (4) Diabetes equipment--The term "diabetes equipment" includes items defined in Insurance Code §1358.051 and §1358.056, and §21.2605 of this title (relating to Diabetes Equipment and Supplies).
  (5) Diabetes supplies--The term "diabetes supplies" includes items defined in Insurance Code §1358.051 and §1358.056, and §21.2605 of this title.
  (6) Diabetes self-management training--Instruction enabling an insured and/or his or her caretaker to understand the care and management of diabetes, including nutritional counseling and proper use of diabetes equipment and supplies.
  (7) Health benefit plan--A health benefit plan, for purposes of this subchapter, means:
    (A) a plan that provides benefits for medical or surgical expenses incurred as a result of a health condition, accident, or sickness, including:
      (i) 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:
        (I) an insurance company;
        (II) a group hospital service corporation operating under Insurance Code Chapter 842;
        (III) a fraternal benefit society operating under Insurance Code Chapter 885;
        (IV) a stipulated premium insurance company operating under Insurance Code Chapter 884;
        (V) a reciprocal exchange operating under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 942; or
        (VI) a health maintenance organization (HMO) operating under Insurance Code Chapter 843;
      (ii) to the extent permitted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. §1002), a health benefit plan that is offered by a multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined by §3, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. §1002) that holds a certificate of authority under Insurance Code Chapter 846; or
      (iii) notwithstanding Local Government Code §172.014, or any other law, health and accident coverage provided by a risk pool created under Local Government Code Chapter 172.
    (B) A plan offered by an approved nonprofit health corporation that is certified under Texas Occupation Code §162.001(b), and that holds a certificate of authority issued by the Commissioner under Insurance Code Chapter 844.
    (C) A health benefit plan is not:
      (i) a plan that provides coverage:
        (I) only for a specified disease or other limited benefit;
        (II) only for accidental death or dismemberment;
        (III) for wages or payments in lieu of wages for a period during which an employee is absent from work because of sickness or injury;
        (IV) as a supplement to liability insurance;
        (V) for credit insurance;
        (VI) dental or vision care only; or
        (VII) hospital confinement indemnity coverage only.
      (ii) a small employer plan written under Insurance Code Chapter 1501;
      (iii) a Medicare supplemental policy as defined by §1882(g)(1), Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. §1395 ss);
      (iv) a plan that is designed to supplement benefits provided under a program established by the Department of Defense pursuant to Chapter 55 of Title 10, United States Code (10 U.S.C. §1071 et seq.);
      (v) workers' compensation insurance coverage;
      (vi) medical payment insurance issued as part of a motor vehicle insurance policy; or
      (vii) a long-term care policy, including a nursing home fixed indemnity policy, unless the Commissioner determines that the policy provides benefit coverage so comprehensive that the policy is a health benefit plan as described by subparagraph (A) of this paragraph.
  (8) Insured--A person enrolled in a health benefit plan who has been diagnosed with:
    (A) insulin dependent or noninsulin dependent diabetes; or
    (B) elevated blood glucose levels induced by pregnancy or another medical condition associated with elevated glucose levels.
  (9) Nutrition counseling--As defined in Occupations Code §701.002.
  (10) Physician--A Doctor of Medicine or a Doctor of Osteopathy licensed by the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners.
  (11) Practitioner--An Advanced Practice Nurse, Doctor of Dentistry, Physician Assistant, Doctor of Podiatry, or other licensed person with prescriptive authority.

Source Note: The provisions of this §21.2601 adopted to be effective April 13, 1999, 24 TexReg 2939; amended to be effective July 27, 2003, 28 TexReg 5657; amended to be effective November 7, 2021, 46 TexReg 7408