During the 2006 Budget session, the Wyoming legislature enacted Senate File 58. This new legislation allows the Wyoming Department of Health to seek a Health Insurance Flexibility and Accountability (HIFA) waiver from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to cover parents of children in families with income up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) and who are enrolled in EqualityCare or Kid Care CHIP.
Enrollment for the program will be capped at 3,720 parents. Any increase in enrollment beyond the capped amount will require action by the legislature.
The program would have two options:
1) Kid Care CHIP “Premium Assistance for Parents”: Parents or guardians may participate through their employer’s health insurance plan. Employer participation for full time employees would be at least 50 percent of the monthly premium of the health insurance plan selected by the parent or guardian. For part time employees (less than 30 hours per week), the Department may collect an hourly fee from the employer.
2) Kid Care CHIP Parent Plan: A plan offered by the Department, similar to Kid Care CHIP, with a scaled down benefit package developed by the Kid Care CHIP Benefit Committee. This plan would require employers to contribute 50 percent of the monthly premium with the Department picking up the remaining cost (up to an identified maximum).
In both options, if an employer refuses to participate in the program, the parent or guardian who would qualify may pay the employer’s share of the premium from a health savings account, a third party or another source.
Parents with incomes above 133 percent FPL will be assessed a participation fee on a sliding scale basis.
Wyoming expects the waiver to be implemented in 2007.
