Beginning January 1, 2026, many of the data collection efforts by the Texas Department of Insurance’s Life and Health Division that previously used Adobe PDF forms will be collected using online forms. The switch to online forms came as a response to industry respondents increasingly using alternative PDF viewers instead of the native Adobe Reader PDF application. Reporting data with online forms does not require a standalone PDF application. Online forms will also work with various desktop computers, tablets, and phone devices.
FAQ
Why is TDI no longer using PDF forms to collect data?
TDI’s Life and Health Division began collecting data using PDF forms years ago. These forms contained some background script programming to verify that data entered by respondents was plausible before it could be submitted. When respondents clicked the ‘Submit’ button, this scripting also triggered a new email to open on the respondent’s computer that automatically attached the data and prefilled the TDI destination email address and the subject line. Adobe Reader was the most prevalent PDF viewer at that time and supported the scripting used in these forms.
Over time, other applications increasingly offered PDF viewer capability that did not support this scripting functionality. For example, common web browsers were able to open and view PDF forms but could not complete the data checks or open a new email to submit the data. As respondents increasingly used their browsers to open and complete these PDF forms instead of Adobe Reader, they could not submit the forms due to the loss of script functionality, resulting in delays in submission and requests to TDI for assistance.
How will online forms be different?
Online forms collect data through a web-based form instead of a PDF form. Respondents will now visit the URL link to the form in their browser and enter data directly into the forms. Once submitted, data is transmitted to TDI, without the need for a separate email being sent. This process does not require Adobe Reader.
Online forms are best completed on a desktop computer, although they are also compatible with tablet and phone devices. To complete the forms, devices must be connected to the Internet and have an up-to-date web browser.
How will I know if the data was received by TDI?
Online Life and Health Division forms require an email address to be entered. Once the data is entered into the forms and submitted by the respondent, a confirmation email is automatically sent to the email address entered in the form.
If I don’t finish reporting in an online form, will I be able to complete reporting at another time?
Yes, online forms used by TDI allow respondents to enter data into a form, save the progress, and then return later to resume where they left off using a link generated by the form.
Will spreadsheet forms be replaced by online forms?
Data collection efforts currently using spreadsheet reporting forms will not switch to online forms at this time due to the volumes of data that they collect. This includes Health Plan Compare, Quarterly Balance Billing reports, and the Health Care Reimbursement Rates report.