208.650. Studies and reports required by department of social services.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

208.650. Studies and reports required by department of social services.

Studies and reports required by department of social services.

208.650. 1. The department of social services shall commission astudy on the impact of this program on providing a comprehensive array ofcommunity-based wraparound services for seriously emotionally disturbedchildren and children affected by substance abuse. The department shallissue a report to the general assembly within forty-five days of thetwelve-month anniversary of the beginning of this program and yearlythereafter. This report shall include recommendations to the department onhow to improve access to the provisions of community-based wraparoundservices pursuant to sections 208.631 to 208.660.

2. The department of social services shall prepare an annual reportto 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 eachincome category;

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

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

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

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

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

3. The department of social services shall establish anidentification program to identify children not participating in theprogram though eligible for extended medical coverage. The department'sefforts to identify these uninsured children shall include, but not belimited 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 anynegative impact this program may have on the number of children covered byprivate insurance as a result of expanding health care coverage to childrenwith a gross family income above one hundred eighty-five percent of thefederal poverty level. The department shall issue a report to the generalassembly within forty-five days of the twelve-month anniversary of thebeginning of this program and annually thereafter. If this studydemonstrates that a measurable negative impact on the number of privatelyinsured children is occurring, the department shall take one or more of thefollowing measures targeted at eliminating the negative impact:

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

(2) Adding an insurability test to preclude participation;

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

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

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