Texas Labor Code
§ 504.053 — ELECTION
LA § 504.053Title 5. WORKERS' COMPENSATION · Part C. WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES · Ch. 504. WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR EMPLOYEES OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS · Art. C. BENEFITS AND OFFSETS
Statute text
View on source(a)A political subdivision that self-insures either individually or collectively shall provide workers' compensation medical benefits to the injured employees of the political subdivision through a workers' compensation health care network certified under Chapter 1305, Insurance Code, if the governing body of the political subdivision determines that provision of those benefits through a network is available to the employees and practical for the political subdivision. A political subdivision may enter into interlocal agreements and other agreements with other political subdivisions to establish or contract with networks under this section.
(b)If a political subdivision or a pool determines that a workers' compensation health care network certified under Chapter 1305, Insurance Code, is not available or practical for the political subdivision or pool, the political subdivision or pool may provide medical benefits to its injured employees or to the injured employees of the members of the pool:
(1)in the manner provided by Chapter 408, other than Sections 408.001(b) and (c) and Section 408.002, and by Subchapters B and C, Chapter 413; or
(2)by directly contracting with health care providers or by contracting through a health benefits pool established under Chapter 172, Local Government Code.
(c)If the political subdivision or pool provides medical benefits in the manner authorized under Subsection (b)(2), the following do not apply:
(1)Sections 408.004 and 408.0041, unless use of a required medical examination or designated doctor is necessary to resolve an issue relating to the entitlement to or amount of income benefits under this title;
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Legislative history
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 310 (S.B. 877), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 701 (S.B. 2551), Sec. 6, eff. June 10, 2019. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 670 (H.B. 1753), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2021. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 856 (S.B. 800), Sec. 23, eff. September 1, 2021.