Relating to examinations of health maintenance organizations and insurers by the commissioner of insurance regarding compliance with certain utilization review and preauthorization requirements; authorizing a fee.

HB 1818 requires Texas insurance commissioners to annually examine health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and insurers for compliance with rules governing utilization review (reviewing medical care requests) and prior approval of services. It authorizes the commissioner to charge a fee to cover the actual costs of these examinations, including examiner salaries and expenses. The fee must be assessed by the commissioner and paid according to adopted rules. This bill directly affects HMOs and insurers by mandating annual compliance checks and establishing a fee structure for the examination process.