Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68.

Generally under present law, if a policy of insurance provides for coverage of health care rendered by a healthcare provider, the insured or other persons entitled to benefits under the policy are entitled to assign their benefits to the healthcare provider and such rights must be stated clearly in the policy. <br /> <br /> Under present law, an insured's assignment of benefits may be disregarded by an insurer if the assignment of benefits is to an out-of-network facility-based physician and the healthcare facility fails to provide, among other things, written notice that includes a statement that the out-of-network facility-based physician may not have a current contract provider agreement with the insured's insurer.<br /> <br /> Under present law, the written notice requirement must be provided to the insured, or the insured's personal representative, prior to when the insured first receives services from the out-of-network facility-based physician. If the insured is receiving medical services through a hospital emergency department or is incapacitated or unconscious at the time of receiving services, the written notice is not required until the insured is stabilized.<br /> <br /> This bill adds that the provision for delaying notice until the patient is stabilized also applies in regard to an incapacitated or unconscious person who is receiving medical services through a mental health facility or any other hospital licensed to provide mental health, substance abuse, or intellectual disability services.<br /> <br />