Effective 28 Aug 1998

208.650. Studies and reports required by department of social services. — 1. The department of social services shall commission a study on the impact of this program on providing a comprehensive array of community-based wraparound services for seriously emotionally disturbed children and children affected by substance abuse. The department shall issue a report to the general assembly within forty-five days of the twelve-month anniversary of the beginning of this program and yearly thereafter. This report shall include recommendations to the department on how to improve access to the provisions of community-based wraparound services pursuant to sections 208.631 to 208.660.

2. The department of social services shall prepare an annual report to the governor and the general assembly on the effect of this program. The report shall include, but is not limited to:

(1) The number of children participating in the program in each income category;

(2) The effect of the program on the number of children covered by private insurers;

(3) The effect of the program on medical facilities, particularly emergency rooms;

(4) The overall effect of the program on the health care of Missouri residents;

(5) The overall cost of the program to the state of Missouri; and

(6) The methodology used to determine availability for the purpose of enrollment, as established by rule.

3. The department of social services shall establish an identification program to identify children not participating in the program though eligible for extended medical coverage. The department's efforts to identify these uninsured children shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Working closely with hospitals and other medical facilities; and

(2) Establishing a statewide education and information program.

4. The department of social services shall commission a study on any negative impact this program may have on the number of children covered by private insurance as a result of expanding health care coverage to children with a gross family income above one hundred eighty-five percent of the federal poverty level. The department shall issue a report to the general assembly within forty-five days of the twelve-month anniversary of the beginning of this program and annually thereafter. If this study demonstrates that a measurable negative impact on the number of privately insured children is occurring, the department shall take one or more of the following measures targeted at eliminating the negative impact:

(1) Implementing additional co-payments, sliding scale premiums or other cost-sharing provisions;

(2) Adding an insurability test to preclude participation;

(3) Increasing the length of the required period of uninsured status prior to application;

(4) Limiting enrollment to an annual open enrollment period for children with gross family incomes above one hundred eighty-five percent of the federal poverty level; and

(5) Any other measures designed to efficiently respond to the measurable negative impact.

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(L. 1998 S.B. 632 § 208.185 subsecs. 10, 11, 12, 13)