Missouri cafeteria plan mandate

[Guest Dolores]

I read a news release that said effective 1/1/08, Missouri will require employers to have a cafeteria plan if they provide health insurance and if the employer pays any portion of the premium.

I can't find more information. Does this impact all very small employers - no minimum # of employees - if they have an insured health benefit program? What if the employer pays 100% of the premium? It's bizarre that the rule references employer payment of premiums as being one of the criteria for the requirement.

[leevena]

I do not know the particulars (I am in California) but your legislature has passed HB818 (Small Group Reform) which covers a variety of things, one being the it would require a POP plan be provided by the carrier in certain instances. The bill is being sent to the Gov for sign/veto.

[Don Levit]

Leevena:

I am very impressed with your knowledge of the goings-on in Missouri.

To access the bill, go to:

http://www.house.mo.gov/bills071/bilsum/truly/sHB818T.htm.

This bill was signed by the governor in June.

A few interesting items are:

1. The Health Care Sharing Ministry.

The new code section was not available online, so I called the sponsor of the bill to review it.

It looks like religious organizations can get involved to some extent, with financing health care.

2. If the employer contributes to a health plan for an employee, the employer must provide a premium-only cafeteria plan.

3. Employers can pursue a defined-contribution model without a group plan operated through a carrier.

4. If an eligible employee chooses to retain his individually underwritten health benefit plan when he gains employment with a small employer that offers small group coverage, the individually underwritten plan is not subject to the small group provisions.

Don Levit