Relating to prohibited conduct of a health benefit plan issuer in relation to affiliated and nonaffiliated providers.

This bill prohibits health benefit plan issuers from offering higher reimbursement rates to nonaffiliated providers who agree to join an affiliated network, and from paying affiliated providers more than nonaffiliated providers for the same medical service. It applies to most health insurance plans in Texas (including individual, group, and hospital coverage), excluding Medicaid, state child health programs, and workers' compensation. The law defines "affiliated providers" as those controlled by or under common control with an issuer, and "nonaffiliated providers" as those not in such relationships. These provisions aim to ensure equitable reimbursement practices between provider types.