Adequate to inadequate

In December 2011, new leadership at the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) rescinded rules defining an "adequate physician network" in PPO health plans. In their place, TDI released newly drafted rules last November that physicians say undermine the legislature's mandate to hold health plans accountable for their networks and instead shift that burden to patients by removing important safeguards. On top of that, Texas Medical Association officials worry the new rules lower the bar for even more limited "exclusive" provider organization networks that health plans can now sell, instead of making insurers adhere to uniform network standards.