HB 1805 -- Health Care Payroll Assessments

Sponsor:  Corcoran

Beginning January 1, 2007, this bill establishes a program within
the Department of Social Services to supplement the state's
Medicaid Program by reimbursing health care providers for
uncompensated medical treatment.  The departments of Insurance
and Labor and Industrial Relations will provide assistance in
implementing the program.  The bill:

(1)  Requires private employers, beginning February 1, 2007, and
annually thereafter, to submit to the Department of Social
Services the total number of employees, amount spent on
employer-sponsored health care benefits, number of employees
covered by the federal Medicare Program, and other information
deemed necessary;

(2)  Requires the Department of Insurance, beginning March 1,
2007, and annually thereafter, to calculate the average cost of
employer-sponsored health care benefits per employee in Missouri;

(3)  Requires private employers, beginning July 1, 2007, who
employ at least 7,500 employees and spend less than Missouri's
average cost per employee to pay a surcharge based on an amount
equal to the average cost minus the amount the employer actually
spends per employee.  A nonprofit organization's surcharge will
be that amount times the number of employees, and a for-profit
organization's surcharge will be that amount plus 2% times the
number of employees;

(4)  Subjects employers failing to report as required to an
administrative penalty of $250 for each day the report is not
timely filed; and

(5)  Requires any surcharges or penalties collected to be paid
into the Uncompensated Care Fund.  Upon appropriation, money in
the fund will be used solely to reimburse licensed hospitals and
federally qualified health centers providing uncompensated care
to patients as state Medicaid providers.

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:44 am