103.178. Alternative system of benefits for treatment of chemical dependency, pilot project--design of project, report.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

103.178. Alternative system of benefits for treatment of chemical dependency, pilot project--design of project, report.

Alternative system of benefits for treatment of chemical dependency,pilot project--design of project, report.

103.178. 1. Beginning on a date specified by the board of trustees ofthe Missouri consolidated health care plan but not later than July 1, 1995,the Missouri consolidated health care plan established under section 103.005shall implement a pilot project to make available to those residing in thepilot project area who are covered by the plan an alternative system ofbenefits for the treatment of chemical dependency added* to those benefitsregularly available to plan participants. The benefits provided under thepilot project shall be similar in scope and comprehensiveness, but not limitedto, the benefits provided for the treatment and rehabilitation of persons whoare chemically dependent under the department of mental health's comprehensivesubstance treatment and rehabilitation program, popularly described as theC-STAR program. Such a pilot project shall operate for a period not to exceedfour years. To the extent that participation in the pilot project incursadditional cost to a person covered under the plan, participation shall bevoluntary. If no additional cost is incurred, the alternative system ofbenefits may be made in lieu of the regular benefits for the services in thepilot project area.

2. The Missouri state employees' retirement system or the Missourihealth care plan, as appropriate, shall in cooperation with the department ofmental health and the department of insurance, financial institutions andprofessional registration design the pilot project so as to generate data toevaluate the costs and benefits of providing coverage of chemical dependencyusing an alternative set of benefits as provided in this section. TheMissouri consolidated health care plan shall at the completion of the pilotproject submit to the governor and the members of the general assembly areport which describes the results of the evaluation of this pilot project.As authorized by appropriations made for that purpose, the Missouri stateemployees' retirement system or the Missouri consolidated health care plan maycontract with persons to conduct an independent evaluation of the pilotproject established in this section.