Sec. 843.262.  CERTAIN DECISIONS BINDING.  (a)  If an enrollee, a person acting on behalf of an enrollee, or an enrollee's provider of record appeals an adverse determination as provided under Section 843.261 and the health maintenance organization or utilization review agent, as applicable, resolves the claim in favor of the enrollee, the decision is binding on the health maintenance organization.
(b)  After a binding decision in favor of an enrollee relating to a proposed health care service, the health maintenance organization shall provide or arrange for the health care service within a time frame that is appropriate for the treatment of the medical condition that was the subject of the appeal.
(c)  After a binding decision in favor of an enrollee relating to a health care service already provided, the health maintenance organization shall pay the cost of the service, if not already paid by the health maintenance organization, not later than the 45th day after the date the health maintenance organization receives notice of the binding decision.  A health maintenance organization that fails to pay the cost of service as required by this subsection is subject to penalties provided under Section 843.342.
(d)  This section applies only to a health care plan of a political subdivision that is exempt from application of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. Section 1001 et seq.).
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 348, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.