Work Comp insurer Texas Mutual has launched their network initiative, partnering with Concentra on their private-labeled "Texas Star Network Option". For now, the network will only be available to employers in the Austin, San Antonio, DFW and Houston metro areas, but expectations are the coverage area will expand significantly in the near future.

Texas Mutual has prepared excellent powerpoint presentations for employers employees and agents; anyone interested in an overview of the impact of the new legislation and regulatory changes would be well-served to review the presentations.

While Concentra's network includes thousands of providers in Texas, Texas Mutual claims to have selected only certain providers for the Texas Star Network. One hopes this is the case, as the best feature of many workers comp networks is their ability to exclude docs who don't get workers comp.