Reflect savings from health insurance premium policy changes
Biennium
2014-2016
Budget Round
Amended Bill
Category
Technical Adjustment
Region
None
Description
Adjusts general fund support for state health insurance premiums based on a lower than expected increase in health insurance costs. The general fund savings in the first year reflect the actual health insurance premiums from 2014. The general fund savings in the second year are based on the actuary's projected increase of 2.9 percent in health insurance costs, which is lower than the projected increase of 6.9 percent funded in Chapter 2, 2014 Special Session 1. Changes to health insurance benefits in the second year include the implementation of an online enhancement to telemedicine to allow members to speak with a licensed physician, coverage for routine hearing exams, and a reduction in co-pays for physical therapy to $15. Cash balances from the Department of Human Resource Management's Special Fund and Administration of Health Insurance's reserve balance to the State Health Insurance Fund were also assumed in the general fund savings in the second year.