Section 35.001 - Definitions In this chapter:
(1) "Conduct business" includes engaging in or transacting any business in which a regulated entity is authorized to engage or is authorized to transact under the law of this state.(2) "Regulated entity" means each insurer, organization, person, or program regulated by the department, including: (A) a domestic or foreign, stock or mutual, life, health, or accident insurance company;(B) a domestic or foreign, stock or mutual, fire or casualty insurance company;(C) a Mexican casualty company;(D) a domestic or foreign Lloyd's plan;(E) a domestic or foreign reciprocal or interinsurance exchange;(F) a domestic or foreign fraternal benefit society;(G) a domestic or foreign title insurance company;(H) a stipulated premium company;(I) a nonprofit legal service corporation;(J) a health maintenance organization;(K) a statewide mutual assessment company;(L) a local mutual aid association;(M) a local mutual burial association;(N) an association exempt under Section 887.102;(O) a nonprofit hospital, medical, or dental service corporation, including a company subject to Chapter 842;(P) a county mutual insurance company;(Q) a farm mutual insurance company; and(R) an agency or agent of an insurer, organization, person, or program described by this subdivision.(3) "Deliver by electronic means" means:(A) deliver to an e-mail address at which a party has consented to receive notices, documents, or information; or(B) post on an electronic network or Internet website accessible by an electronic device, including a computer, mobile device, or tablet, and deliver notice of the posting to an e-mail address at which the party has consented to receive notices.(4) "Party" means a recipient, including an applicant, insured, policyholder, enrollee, or annuity contract holder, of a notice or document or of information required as part of an insurance transaction.(4-a) "Plan sponsor" means a person, other than a regulated entity, who establishes, adopts, or maintains a health benefit plan, including a vision or dental benefit plan, that covers residents of this state, including a plan established, adopted, or maintained by an employer or jointly by an employer and one or more employee organizations, an association, a committee, a joint board of trustees, or any similar group of representatives who establish, adopt, or maintain a plan.(5) "Written communication" means a notice or document or other information provided in writing.Amended by Acts 2021, Texas Acts of the 87th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 976,Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2021, op. for a health benefit plan delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed on or after January 1, 2022.Amended by Acts 2017, Texas Acts of the 85th Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 967,Sec. 5.001, eff. 9/1/2017.Amended by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg. - Regular Session, ch. 602,Sec. 1, eff. 9/1/2013, applicable only to a written communication that is delivered by electronic means on or after January 1, 2014.Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1147, Sec. 6.001, eff. 9/1/2011.