2001 Senate Bill 748 / 2002 Public Act 304

Introduced in the Senate

Oct. 18, 2001

Introduced by Sen. Beverly Hammerstrom (R-17)

To provide for the sale of high deductible Medicare supplement plans; regulate Medicare+Choice plans now allowed under federal regulations; allow a policyholder to suspend a Medicare supplement policy, and have the policy reinstated, under certain circumstances; specify conditions under which an applicant for a Medicare supplement policy would not be excluded from coverage because of a preexisting condition; specify individuals who would be eligible for coverage, and prescribe conditions under which people could not be denied coverage; establish time periods during which eligible individuals would have to be allowed to enroll; and require notification when a plan was terminated. The bill would apply to insurance companies. See also Senate Bill 749.

Referred to the Committee on Financial Services

March 5, 2002

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with a version recommended by the committee which reported it. The substitute incorporates changes resulting from committee testimony and deliberation. These changes do not affect the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

March 7, 2002

Passed in the Senate 35 to 0 (details)

Received in the House

March 7, 2002

To provide for the sale of high deductible Medicare supplement plans; regulate Medicare+Choice plans now allowed under federal regulations; allow a policyholder to suspend a Medicare supplement policy, and have the policy reinstated, under certain circumstances; specify conditions under which an applicant for a Medicare supplement policy would not be excluded from coverage because of a preexisting condition; specify individuals who would be eligible for coverage, and prescribe conditions under which people could not be denied coverage; establish time periods during which eligible individuals would have to be allowed to enroll; and require notification when a plan was terminated. The bill would apply to insurance companies. See also Senate Bill 749.

May 2, 2002

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that uses the bill as a legislative "vehicle" for HMO portion of the “Michigan Medicaid Quality Assurance Assessment” (MMQAA) program announced by Gov. Engler on April 9, 2002. The program would impose a fee on HMOs of 1.87 percent on non-Medicare premiums. This would generate $54.6 million annually, which would enable the state to collect $67.8 million in new federal revenue. The entire amount of $122.4 million would then be returned to HMOs in the form of a five-percent increase in Medicaid reimbursements. The substitute also authorizes consumer "deductibles" or co-payments for health services provided by an HMO.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Joseph Rivet (D-97)

To prohibit HMO deductibles or co-payments for preventive health care services.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 103 to 1 (details)

To provide for the sale of high deductible Medicare supplement plans; regulate Medicare+Choice plans now allowed under federal regulations; allow a policyholder to suspend a Medicare supplement policy, and have the policy reinstated, under certain circumstances; specify conditions under which an applicant for a Medicare supplement policy would not be excluded from coverage because of a preexisting condition; specify individuals who would be eligible for coverage, and prescribe conditions under which people could not be denied coverage; establish time periods during which eligible individuals would have to be allowed to enroll; and require notification when a plan was terminated. The bill would also establish the “Michigan Medicaid Quality Assurance Assessment” (MMQAA) program announced by Gov. Engler on April 9, 2002. The program would impose a fee on HMOs of 1.87 percent on non-Medicare premiums. This would generate $54.6 million annually, which would enable the state to collect $67.8 million in new federal revenue. The entire amount of $122.4 million would then be returned to HMOs in the form of a five-percent increase in Medicaid reimbursements. The substitute also authorizes consumer "deductibles" or co-payments for health services provided by an HMO.

Received in the Senate

May 2, 2002

May 7, 2002

Passed in the Senate 27 to 8 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Received in the House

May 7, 2002

Signed by Gov. John Engler

May 10, 2002