Idaho Bills

Appropriates an additional $77,000 to the Department of Administration for the Office of Group Insurance for fiscal year 2018.

ThisatrailerappropriationbilltoSenateBill1046. S1046requiresthestatetoofferstateemployeesahealth benefitplanthatutilizesHealthSavingsAccount(HSA's)pairedwithhigh-deductiblehealthplans. Theplan is optional to state employees. An HSA is a financial account that is designed to allow state employees to set aside money for current and future medical expenses. HSA's, paired with high-deductible health plans, can create a win-win situation for taxpayers and public employees. The plans provide state employees more savings, choice, and control over their healthcare needs and expenses, while offering an opportunity for the State to reduce its health insurance costs for state employees. HSA funds can be used to pay for co-pay's, deductible, and access to primary care. This bill requires the State to deposit at least $500 annually to each employee with an HSA offered by the State.

Stating findings of the Legislature and directing the Department of Administration to provide state officers or employees with a health transparency tool or a medical diversion program.

The resolution directs the Department of Administration to either provide a transparency tool for State employees on a state website or work with a vendor to establish a medical diversion program. A key to reducing medical costs is for consumers of medical care to have price information.