33-22-2001. Establishment of small business health insurance pool -- intent. - Montana Statutes

     33-22-2001. Establishment of small business health insurance pool -- intent. (1) There is established an entity known as the small business health insurance pool, with participating membership consisting of all employer members of the purchasing pool.
     (2) The small business health insurance pool is created as a voluntary purchasing pool pursuant to the provisions of 33-22-1815 through 33-22-1817.
     (3) Subject to the conditions in 53-6-1201, the purchasing pool shall make group health plan coverage available effective January 1, 2006.
     (4) It is the intent of the legislature that the board:
     (a) establish criteria that will allow the greatest number of employees possible to be eligible for premium assistance payments by not permitting eligibility for premium assistance payments under this part to employees who continue other comprehensive health insurance coverage through a spouse, parent, or other person; and
     (b) allow eligible small employers to determine the length of the waiting period that will apply to their employees as long as the waiting period:
     (i) is not more than 12 months; and
     (ii) applies to all employees within that small group in the same manner.
     (5) The legislative auditor shall conduct or have conducted, at least once each biennium covering the prior 2 fiscal years, a financial compliance audit of the board and the purchasing pool. The cost of the audit must be paid for by the purchasing pool as a direct cost not subject to the cap on administrative expenses.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 595, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 38, Ch. 44, L. 2007; amd. Sec. 17, Ch. 399, L. 2007.