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SB 859 - This act allows health maintenance organizations to offer high deductible health plans provided such high deductible health plans are combined with health savings accounts. The health savings accounts affiliated with high-deductible HMO plans must be funded to cover the deductible for the plan. Any health maintenance organization that issues a high deductible health plan that is combined with a health savings account shall be taxed at a rate of two percent on premiums received from high deductible health plans in the same manner as life and health insurance companies are taxed under chapter 148. The proceeds from the tax, however, shall be deposited in the part C early intervention system fund (First Steps Fund). The act authorizes the department of insurance to assess whether the high-deductible health plans are meeting the act's requirements. If a HMO fails to comply with the act's requirements, the department may revoke or suspend the HMO's authority to issue such health plans. The act requires that the contractual payments rates for covering enrollees in the new high-deductible plans must be negotiated separately from current HMO contracts. This act is substantially similar to SB 374 (2007). STEPHEN WITTE
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