Report Title:
Public Employees Health Fund
Description:
Allows Public Employees Health Fund to offer different benefits to retirants. (HD1)
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1318 |
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TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES HEALTH FUND.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the health care needs of public employees change over time, especially the needs of retirees. However, as their needs change, their health benefits under the public employees health fund have remained the same. For example, retirees may need more coverage for prescription drugs but may not need as much coverage in other areas that are more important for a younger population. The purpose of this Act is to allow the public employees health fund to offer potentially more suitable benefits to retirees that can be more cost effective by not locking retirees' benefits into those offered for all public employees.
SECTION 2. Section 87-22, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) The board may contract for the following health benefits plans[; provided that benefits provided under any respective plan shall be equally available to all employee-beneficiaries and dependent-beneficiaries selecting the plan regardless of age,] as provided for below:
(1) An indemnity benefit plan or plans under which a carrier agrees to pay certain sums of money not in excess of the actual expenses incurred for health services;
(2) A service benefit plan or plans under which payment is made by a carrier under contracts with physicians, hospitals, or other providers of health services or, under certain conditions, payment is made by a carrier to an employee-beneficiary;
(3) Health maintenance organization plans, which provide or arrange health services for members on a prepaid basis, with professional services provided by physicians practicing individually or as a group in a common center or centers;
(4) Plans to offer dental benefits through an indemnity plan or plans, a service benefit plan or plans, dental maintenance organization plans, or combinations thereof;
(5) Plans to offer prescription drug benefits through an indemnity plan or plans, a service benefit plan or plans, health maintenance organization plans, or combinations thereof;
(6) Plans to offer vision care benefits through an indemnity plan or plans, a service benefit plan or plans, health maintenance organization plans, or combinations thereof; or
(7) A noninsured schedule of benefits similar to any of the schedule of benefits set forth in the health benefits plans authorized in paragraphs (1) to (6)."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.