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HMO definitions and evidence of coverage

  1. Question 1 of 40

    Under Chapter 843 of the Texas Insurance Code, a health maintenance organization is best described as a person who:

    • Reimburses enrollees for medical bills after they are incurred, without arranging for any services
    • Sells indemnity major medical policies through independent agents anywhere in the state
    • Arranges for or provides, on a prepaid basis, a health care plan, a limited health care service plan, or a single health care service plan to enrollees
    • Licenses physicians and hospitals to practice within a defined geographic area
  2. Question 2 of 40

    In Chapter 843 terminology, the certificate, agreement, policy, or contract issued to an enrollee that sets out the coverage to which the enrollee is entitled is called the:

    • Evidence of coverage
    • Certificate of authority
    • Health care plan
    • Service area agreement
  3. Question 3 of 40

    A new company intends to arrange prepaid health care services for enrollees in Dallas. Before it may do business as an HMO in Texas, it must first:

    • File a sample evidence of coverage with each enrollee's employer
    • Contract with at least one hospital in every county of the state
    • Register each participating physician as an agent of the organization
    • Obtain a certificate of authority issued under Chapter 843
  4. Question 4 of 40

    Chapter 843 uses the term "basic health care services" to mean:

    • Services that an enrolled population might reasonably require to be maintained in good health
    • Only emergency services furnished outside the service area
    • Dental, vision, and mental health services offered under a narrow plan
    • The single service an organization undertakes to provide under a single health care service plan
  5. Question 5 of 40

    An enrollee asks her producer where she can find out which geographic area her HMO's services are available and accessible in, and which providers deliver them. The producer should direct her to:

    • The HMO's certificate of authority on file with the state
    • Her employer's group application for coverage
    • Her evidence of coverage
    • The physician's own license and practice records
  6. Question 6 of 40

    A Texas company contracts with optometrists and ophthalmologists and, for a monthly prepaid fee, arranges eye examinations and corrective lenses for its members. It arranges no other care. Under Chapter 843's vocabulary, this arrangement is a:

    • Basic health care services plan
    • Blended contract
    • Limited health care service plan
    • Single health care service plan
  7. Question 7 of 40

    An employer contracts with an HMO to cover its workers. Which statement best reflects how Chapter 843 treats the evidence of coverage in this arrangement?

    • The employer holds the only document describing benefits, and workers receive nothing individually
    • The individual entitled to health care services receives an evidence of coverage describing that entitlement, even though the employer contracts with the HMO
    • The evidence of coverage is issued to the HMO's contracted physicians so they know what to deliver
    • The evidence of coverage replaces the HMO's certificate of authority for group business
  8. Question 8 of 40

    Two entities collect payments in advance from members. Entity One only cuts checks to reimburse members after they pay their own doctors. Entity Two contracts with clinics and arranges the care members receive. Why does Chapter 843's HMO framework reach Entity Two in a way it does not reach Entity One?

    • Because Entity Two collects payments in advance and Entity One does not
    • Because part of what Entity Two does consists of arranging for or providing health care services rather than pure indemnification
    • Because Entity Two issues an evidence of coverage and Entity One issues a policy, and the name of the document controls
    • Because Entity Two operates within a service area and any entity with a defined geography is an HMO
  9. Question 9 of 40

    Under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 843, which description best fits a "health maintenance organization"?

    • A licensed insurer that indemnifies members for medical expenses after the member pays a provider directly
    • A network of physicians and hospitals that contracts with employers to discount their billed charges
    • A third-party administrator that processes claims for a self-funded employer health plan
    • A person who arranges for or provides, on a prepaid basis, a health care plan, a limited health care service plan, or a single health care service plan to enrollees
  10. Question 10 of 40

    In Chapter 843 terminology, "evidence of coverage" means:

    • The certificate, agreement, policy, or contract issued to an enrollee setting out the coverage to which the enrollee is entitled
    • The authorization the Texas Department of Insurance issues permitting the HMO to do business in the state
    • The written contract between the HMO and each participating physician or provider
    • The enrollee's identification card showing the plan name and member number
  11. Question 11 of 40

    An employee covered under her employer's Texas HMO plan calls her producer and asks, "Where can I read exactly what benefits, limits, and exclusions apply to me?" What should the producer tell her, and why?

    • The HMO's certificate of authority, because it lists the benefits the HMO is authorized to sell
    • The master group contract only, because in a group HMO the employer is the only party entitled to coverage documents
    • The evidence of coverage, because Chapter 843 makes that the document issued to the enrollee stating the coverage to which she is entitled
    • The provider directory, because it identifies which services each contracted physician performs
  12. Question 12 of 40

    Chapter 843 uses the term "basic health care services" to mean:

    • Only emergency and urgent care furnished outside the HMO's service area
    • A single health care service the organization undertakes to provide or arrange
    • Services an enrolled population might reasonably require to be maintained in good health
    • Preventive services delivered at no cost sharing to the enrollee
  13. Question 13 of 40

    A Texas organization proposes a prepaid arrangement under which it contracts with chiropractors and arranges chiropractic care for members for that one specified health care need. It arranges no other care of any kind. Under Chapter 843's vocabulary, this arrangement is a:

    • Single health care service plan
    • Limited health care service plan
    • Health care plan providing basic health care services
    • Blended contract
  14. Question 14 of 40

    Before an entity may lawfully operate as a health maintenance organization in Texas, Chapter 843 requires that it hold:

    • An evidence of coverage filed with each enrollee's employer
    • A certificate of authority issued under the chapter
    • A resident general lines agent license
    • A single health care service plan endorsement from its contracted providers
  15. Question 15 of 40

    A company sells a prepaid membership under which members may see any licensed provider they choose; the company neither arranges nor provides care and simply reimburses part of whatever bill the member submits. Analyzing this against Chapter 843, is the company a health maintenance organization?

    • Yes, because members pay in advance, and prepayment alone brings the arrangement within the chapter
    • Yes, because the company pays part of the cost of health care services for its members
    • No, because an HMO must be an organization that offers only basic health care services
    • No, because the company only indemnifies and does not arrange for or provide health care services, which the chapter's definition requires
  16. Question 16 of 40

    When an HMO's evidence of coverage describes the geographic area in which the plan's health care services are available and accessible to enrollees, it is describing the Chapter 843 concept of:

    • The enrollee's provider panel
    • The service area
    • The health care plan
    • The certificate of authority territory
  17. Question 17 of 40

    Under Texas Insurance Code Chapter 843, a health maintenance organization is defined as a person who does what?

    • Indemnifies enrollees in cash for medical costs they have already incurred, without arranging any care
    • Licenses and disciplines physicians who practice within a defined service area
    • Arranges for or provides, on a prepaid basis, a health care plan, a limited health care service plan, or a single health care service plan to enrollees
    • Sells only dental and vision coverage on a statewide basis through independent agents
  18. Question 18 of 40

    An HMO enrollee calls her agent and asks, "Where exactly does it say what my plan covers and what it excludes?" Which document should the agent point her to?

    • The HMO's certificate of authority
    • The service area description filed with the state
    • The provider directory for her network
    • The evidence of coverage issued to her
  19. Question 19 of 40

    Chapter 843 uses a defined term for the services an enrolled population might reasonably require in order to be maintained in good health. Which term is it?

    • Limited health care service
    • Single health care service plan
    • Evidence of coverage
    • Basic health care services
  20. Question 20 of 40

    Chapter 843 defines "service area" as which of the following?

    • The list of hospitals and clinics the HMO owns outright
    • The period during which an eligible person may enroll in the plan
    • The geographic area in which the plan's health care services are available and accessible to enrollees
    • The maximum dollar amount of services an enrollee may receive in a plan year
  21. Question 21 of 40

    Before an entity may operate as a health maintenance organization in Texas, what must it obtain?

    • An evidence of coverage approved for each enrollee
    • A certificate of authority issued under Chapter 843
    • A separate producer license for every contracted physician
    • A single health care service plan filing for each county in its service area
  22. Question 22 of 40

    An organization undertakes to provide or arrange for one health care service only. Chapter 843 calls this arrangement a:

    • Single health care service plan
    • Basic health care services package
    • Evidence of coverage
    • Health care plan for indemnity purposes
  23. Question 23 of 40

    An employer contracts with an HMO to cover its workforce. Under Chapter 843, who receives the evidence of coverage?

    • Each individual enrollee entitled to health care services under the plan
    • Only the employer, as the group contract holder
    • Only the physicians and providers contracted to deliver the care
    • No one; in group cases the master contract replaces any enrollee document
  24. Question 24 of 40

    A company markets a product that pays cash to members for medical bills they have already paid but does not arrange for or provide any care. Why would this product, standing alone, fall outside Chapter 843's HMO definition?

    • Because the company charges its members a periodic premium
    • Because part of the arrangement must consist of arranging for or providing health care services, not pure indemnification
    • Because a company can never have enrollees unless it owns its own hospitals
    • Because Texas prohibits any form of indemnity health coverage
  25. Question 25 of 40

    Under Chapter 843 of the Texas Insurance Code, a health maintenance organization is defined as a person who does what?

    • Arranges for or provides, on a prepaid basis, a health care plan, a limited health care service plan, or a single health care service plan to enrollees
    • Reimburses enrollees in cash for covered medical expenses after the enrollee pays the provider
    • Licenses physicians and hospitals to practice within a defined geographic region
    • Sells stop-loss and excess-of-loss coverage to self-funded employer health plans
  26. Question 26 of 40

    Before an HMO may do business in Texas, what must it hold under Chapter 843?

    • An evidence of coverage filed with each enrollee's employer
    • A single health care service plan endorsement
    • A certificate of authority issued under the chapter
    • A provider network accreditation certificate issued by its contracted physicians
  27. Question 27 of 40

    Which statement best describes an "evidence of coverage" as that term is used in Chapter 843?

    • The HMO's annual financial statement showing it can pay claims
    • The contract between the HMO and each contracted physician or provider
    • The state's written authorization allowing the HMO to enroll members
    • The certificate, agreement, policy, or contract issued to an enrollee setting out the coverage to which the enrollee is entitled
  28. Question 28 of 40

    Chapter 843 uses the term "basic health care services." Which description matches that term?

    • Only the emergency services an HMO must cover outside its service area
    • The services an enrolled population might reasonably require to be maintained in good health
    • A narrow category of services such as dental, vision, or mental health services
    • The single service provided under a single health care service plan
  29. Question 29 of 40

    An HMO enrollee calls her producer and asks, "Where is it actually written that this benefit is limited the way you described?" What should the producer point her to?

    • Her evidence of coverage, which sets out the coverage, limits, exclusions, and conditions she is entitled to
    • The HMO's certificate of authority on file with the state
    • The employer's group application submitted to the HMO
    • The provider directory listing physicians in the service area
  30. Question 30 of 40

    A prospect asks why the HMO's materials keep referring to a "service area." Using the Chapter 843 definition, what does that term identify?

    • The list of hospitals that have agreed to accept the HMO's payment rates
    • The counties in which the HMO's producers are appointed to sell
    • The geographic area in which the plan's health care services are available and accessible to enrollees
    • The period during which an enrollee may use benefits before renewal
  31. Question 31 of 40

    A Texas company proposes a product under which members pay a flat monthly amount in advance and the company, through contracts with dentists, arranges cleanings, fillings, and extractions. It arranges no other care of any kind. The company's compliance officer argues that because dental care is absent from Chapter 843's list of limited health care services, the product does not fit any Chapter 843 plan category at all. Applying the chapter's definitions, how should the product be classified?

    • A limited health care service plan
    • A single health care service plan
    • A basic health care services plan
    • No Chapter 843 category; the arrangement falls outside the chapter
  32. Question 32 of 40

    An employer contracts with an HMO for coverage for its workforce. Under Chapter 843, who receives the evidence of coverage?

    • Only the employer, since the employer is the party to the contract with the HMO
    • Only the contracted physicians and providers who will deliver the services
    • The Texas Department of Insurance, which then distributes copies to covered workers
    • The enrollee, because the enrollee is the individual entitled to health care services under the plan
  33. Question 33 of 40

    Under Chapter 843 of the Texas Insurance Code, a health maintenance organization is defined as a person who does what?

    • Arranges for or provides, on a prepaid basis, a health care plan, a limited health care service plan, or a single health care service plan to enrollees
    • Reimburses enrollees for covered medical expenses after they submit proof of loss
    • Sells only major medical indemnity coverage through independent agents in Texas
    • Underwrites disability income benefits for employer groups on a post-payment basis
  34. Question 34 of 40

    In Texas HMO terminology, what is the name of the certificate, agreement, policy, or contract issued to an enrollee that sets out the coverage to which the enrollee is entitled?

    • Certificate of authority
    • Provider participation agreement
    • Evidence of coverage
    • Service area declaration
  35. Question 35 of 40

    Chapter 843 uses the term "basic health care services." How is that category described?

    • Only those services delivered inside a hospital by a contracted physician
    • A single health care service the organization agrees to arrange for enrollees
    • Dental, vision, and mental health services offered separately from medical coverage
    • The services an enrolled population might reasonably require to be maintained in good health
  36. Question 36 of 40

    An HMO enrollee calls her producer and says a treatment was denied as excluded. She asks, "Where exactly does it say that?" What document should the producer point her to?

    • The HMO's certificate of authority filed with the state
    • The group contract signed by her employer, since only the employer is a party to it
    • Her evidence of coverage, which defines her benefits and their limits, exclusions, and conditions
    • The HMO's provider directory for her service area
  37. Question 37 of 40

    Chapter 843 defines "service area." What does that term identify?

    • The list of covered benefits an enrollee may receive under the plan
    • The categories of licensed practitioners and facilities the HMO may contract with
    • The period during which an eligible person may enroll in the plan
    • The geographic area in which the plan's health care services are available and accessible to enrollees
  38. Question 38 of 40

    Before a health maintenance organization may do business in Texas, what must it obtain?

    • An evidence of coverage approved for each enrollee
    • A certificate of authority issued under Chapter 843
    • A single health care service plan endorsement from its providers
    • A service area waiver from each county in which it markets
  39. Question 39 of 40

    A Texas entity contracts with podiatrists and, for a fixed amount paid in advance each month, arranges foot and ankle care for its members. It arranges no other care of any kind. Under Chapter 843's vocabulary, this arrangement is best classified as:

    • A single health care service plan
    • A limited health care service plan
    • A basic health care services plan
    • A blended contract
  40. Question 40 of 40

    Two entities each collect money from members and pay for care. Entity One only reimburses members in cash after they pay a provider of their choosing. Entity Two contracts with physicians and facilities in a defined area so members receive services from them. Why does the second entity fit Chapter 843's concept of a health care plan while the first does not?

    • Because Chapter 843 applies only to entities that pay claims within a defined geographic area
    • Because a health care plan requires that part of the plan consist of arranging for or providing services rather than pure indemnification
    • Because only the second entity issues an evidence of coverage, and issuing that document is what creates a health care plan
    • Because the first entity collects money from members and therefore cannot be prepaid