2572-S2.E AMS DECC MEIE 006

2572-S2.E AMS DECC MEIE 006

E2SHB 2572 - S AMD TO S AMD 218 (2572-S2.E AMS KEIS SEIB 001) 289

   By    Senator Deccio

ADOPTED 3/1/2006

   On page 2, line 16 of the amendment, after "act" insert ", or subsidies to fund a health savings account under section 5 of this act"

   On page 2, after line 16 of the amendment, insert the following:

   "NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT SUBSIDIES TO ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. (1) Beginning July 1, 2007, the administrator shall accept applications from eligible employees, on behalf of themselves, their spouses, and their dependent children, to receive subsidies to fund a health savings account through the small employer health insurance partnership program.

   (2) Health savings account subsidy payments may be provided to eligible employees if:

   (a) The eligible employee is employed by a small employer; and

   (b) The eligible employee participates in an employer sponsored high deductible health plan and health savings account that conforms to section 223, Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the internal revenue code of 1986.

   (3) The amount of an eligible employee's health savings account subsidy shall be determined by the legislature in the biennial operating budget.

   (4) After an eligible individual has enrolled in the program, the program shall issue subsidies in an amount determined pursuant to subsection (3) of this section to either the eligible employee or to the carrier designated by the eligible employee.

   (5) An eligible employee must agree to provide verification of continued enrollment in his or her small employer's health benefit plan on a semiannual basis or to notify the administrator whenever his or her enrollment status changes, whichever is earlier. Verification or notification may be made directly by the employee, or through his or her employer or the carrier providing the small employer health benefit plan. When necessary, the administrator has the authority to perform retrospective audits on health savings account subsidy accounts. The administrator may suspend or terminate an employee's participation in the program and seek repayment of any subsidy amounts paid due to the omission or misrepresentation of an applicant or enrolled employee. The administrator shall adopt rules to define the appropriate application of these sanctions and the processes to implement the sanctions provided in this subsection, within available resources."

   Renumber the remaining sections consecutively and correct internal references accordingly.

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EFFECT: Allows the Health Care Authority to also provide subsidies for individuals who have health savings accounts.