Sec. 413.051. CONTRACTS WITH REVIEW ORGANIZATIONS AND HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

(a) In this section, "health care provider professional review organization" includes an independent review organization.

(b) The division may contract with a health care provider, health care provider professional review organization, or other entity to develop, maintain, or review medical policies or fee guidelines or to review compliance with the medical policies or fee guidelines.

(c) For purposes of review or resolution of a dispute as to compliance with the medical policies or fee guidelines, the division may contract with a health care provider, health care provider professional review organization, or other entity that includes in the review process health care practitioners who are licensed in the category under review and are of the same field or specialty as the category under review.

(d) The division may contract with a health care provider, health care provider professional review organization, or other entity for medical consultant services, including:

(1) independent medical examinations;

(2) medical case reviews; or

(3) establishment of medical policies and fee guidelines.

(e) The commissioner shall establish standards for contracts under this section.

Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 269, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1456, Sec. 1.02, eff. June 17, 2001. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 265 , Sec. 3.250, eff. September 1, 2005.