Bill > H7147

This bill expands health insurance benefits for certain state employees, specifically those classified as "full-time other-personal-services employees," which are defined as other-personal-services (OPS) employees who meet the full-time criteria established by the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The bill allows the state group insurance program to create separate benefit plans for these full-time OPS employees and permits them to participate in the state group insurance program, with their health insurance premiums potentially paid from specific appropriated funds. The Department of Management Services (DMS) is required to contract for health benefit plans for these employees, ensuring these plans meet federal requirements for minimum essential coverage and affordability. Additionally, the bill sets specific premium rates for full-time OPS employees for a transitional period in 2014, with the employer covering the remaining premium costs.