08/23/2024
What’s changed:
Per Senate Bill 1040, effective September 1, 2023, which applies to plans delivered, issued for delivery or renewed on or after Jan. 1, 2024, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas prohibits coverage of a human organ transplant if the operation is performed or if the organ was procured by a sale or donation originating, in China or a country known to have participated in organ harvesting. “Organ harvesting" is the removal of one or more organs from a living person by means of coercion, abduction, deception, fraud, or abuse of power or a position of vulnerability.
Why the change:
This prohibition helps to combat the practice of forcibly harvesting organs from living persons for transplant without free, voluntary consent and curb illicit transplant tourism and prevent residents of this state from unknowingly involving themselves in forced organ harvesting. For additional details, refer to Texas Senate Bill 1040.
What’s not covered:
BCBSTX will not cover the transplant procedure or post-transplant.
This change applies:
- Fully insured BCBSTX plans
- Medicaid
- Individual health benefit plans offered by BCBSTX
- ERS
- TRS
- UT/TAMU
Check Eligibility and Benefits:
As with all our members, it’s important to ask to see the member’s ID card before all appointments and to check eligibility and benefits through Availity® Essentials or your preferred vendor.
If you have questions, call the customer service number on the member’s ID card.
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BCBSTX makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding third party vendors and the products and services they offer.