§5-16B-6. Financial plans requirements.

(a) Benefit plan design. — All financial plans required by this section shall establish: (1) the design of a benefit plan or plans; (2) the maximum levels of reimbursement to categories of health care providers; (3) any cost containment measures for implementation during the applicable fiscal year; and (4) the types and levels of cost to families of covered children. To the extent compatible with simplicity of administration, fiscal stability, and other goals of the program established in this article, the financial plans may provide for different levels of costs based on ability to pay.

(b) Annual plans. — The director shall review implementation of the current financial plan in light of actual experience and shall prepare an annual financial plan for each ensuing fiscal year. The director shall solicit comments in writing from interested and affected persons. The agency shall submit its final, approved financial plan, subject to the actuarial requirements of this article, to the Legislature no later than September 1, preceding the fiscal year. The financial plan for a fiscal year becomes effective and shall be implemented by the director on July 1, of that fiscal year. Annual plans developed pursuant to this subsection are subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section and the following guidelines:

(1) The aggregate actuarial value of the plan established as the benchmark plan should be considered as a targeted maximum or limitation in developing the benefits package;

(2) All estimated program and administrative costs, including incurred but not reported claims, may not exceed 90 percent of the funding available to the program for the applicable fiscal year; and

(3) The state’s interest in achieving health care services for all its children at less than 200 percent of the federal poverty guideline shall take precedence over enhancing the benefits available under this program.

 (c) The provisions of §29A-1-1 et seq. of this code do not apply to the preparation, approval and implementation of the financial plans required by this section.

 (d) The director shall review implementation of the current financial plan each quarter and, using actuarial data, shall make those modifications to the plan that are necessary to ensure its fiscal stability and effectiveness of service. The director may not increase the types and levels of cost to families of covered children during the quarterly review except in the event of a true emergency. The agency may not expand the population of children to whom the program is made available except in its annual plan: Provided, That upon the effective date of this article, the director may expand coverage to any child eligible under the provisions of Title XXI of the Social Security Act of 1997: Provided, however, That the agency shall implement cost-sharing provisions for children who may qualify for the expanded coverage and whose family income exceeds 150 percent of the federal poverty guideline. The cost-sharing provisions may be imposed through any one or a combination of the following: enrollment fees, premiums, copayments, and deductibles.

 (e) The agency may develop and implement programs that provide for family coverage or employer subsidies, or both, within the limits authorized by the provisions of Title XXI of the Social Security Act of 1997 or the federal regulations promulgated thereunder: Provided, That any family health insurance coverage offered by or through the program shall be structured so that the agency assumes no financial risk.