SCS/SB 2 - Under this act, beginning with the open enrollment period for the 2012 plan year, the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan board must offer a qualified high deductible health plan that has a monthly subscriber premium that is at least 50% lower than the non-high deductible health plan chosen by a plurality of qualified employees. The amount of the annual deductible for the high deductible health plan offered shall be no greater than 125% of the minimum annual deductible for self-only coverage and family coverage as established by the Internal Revenue Service for the current tax year. The sum of the annual deductible and the other annual out-of-pocket expenses required to be paid under a high deductible health plan offered by the board shall not exceed the amount set forth by the Internal Revenue Service for the current tax year. The coverage afforded by the high deductible health plan, after the deductible has been met, shall be substantially similar to the coverage provided by the non-high deductible health plan chosen by a plurality of qualified employees. If, after the completion of the open enrollment period for the 2012 plan year, fewer than 10% of Missouri's active state employees have enrolled in a high deductible health plan described in the act, then the board shall offer a more competitive high deductible health plan with increased financial and coverage incentives, including but not limited to alternative annual deductibles, out-of-pocket expenses, and other health plan design features, all within the federal guidelines, with the goal of having 50% of Missouri's active state employees enrolling in a health savings account compatible high deductible health plan by the open enrollment period for the 2015 plan year.
STEPHEN WITTE