149.143(2)(a)(a) Prior to each plan year, the department shall estimate the operating and administrative costs of the plan and the costs of the premium reductions under
s. 149.165, the deductible reductions under
s. 149.14 (5) (a), and any prescription drug copayment reductions under
s. 149.14 (5) (e) for the new plan year and do all of the following:
149.143(2)(a)1.a.a. Estimate the amount of enrollee premiums that would be received in the new plan year if the enrollee premiums were set at a level sufficient, when including amounts received for premium, deductible, and prescription drug copayment subsidies under
s. 149.144 and from premiums collected from eligible persons with coverage under
s. 149.146 set in accordance with
s. 149.146 (2) (b), to cover 60% of the estimated plan costs for the new plan year.
149.143(2)(a)2.
2. After making the determinations under
subd. 1., by rule set premium rates for the new plan year, including the rates under
s. 149.146 (2) (b), in the manner specified in
sub. (1) (am) 1. and
3. and such that a rate for coverage under
s. 149.14 (2) (a) is approved by the board and is not less than 140% nor more than 200% of the rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as are provided under the plan.
149.143(2)(a)3.
3. By rule set the total insurer assessments under
s. 149.13 for the new plan year by estimating and setting the assessments at the amount necessary to equal the amounts specified in
sub. (1) (am) 4. and
(bm) 1. and notify the commissioner of the amount.
149.143(2)(a)4.
4. By the same rule as under
subd. 3. adjust the provider payment rate for the new plan year, subject to
s. 149.142 (1) (b), by estimating and setting the rate at the level necessary to equal the amounts specified in
sub. (1) (am) 4. and
(bm) 2. and as provided in
s. 149.145.
149.143(2)(b)
(b) In setting the premium rates under
par. (a) 2., the insurer assessment amount under
par. (a) 3. and the provider payment rate under
par. (a) 4. for the new plan year, the department shall include any increase or decrease necessary to reflect the amount, if any, by which the rates and amount set under
par. (a) for the current plan year differed from the rates and amount which would have equaled the amounts specified in
sub. (1) (am) and
(bm) in the current plan year.
149.143(2m)(a)(a) The department shall keep a separate accounting of the difference between the following:
149.143(2m)(a)1.
1. The amount of premiums received in a plan year from all eligible persons, including amounts received for premium, deductible, and prescription drug copayment subsidies.
149.143(2m)(a)2.
2. The amount of premiums, including amounts received for premium, deductible, and prescription drug copayment subsidies, necessary to cover 60% of the plan costs for the plan year.
149.143(2m)(b)
(b) Any amount by which the amount under
par. (a) 1. exceeds the amount under
par. (a) 2. may be used only as follows:
149.143(2m)(b)1.
1. To reduce premiums in succeeding plan years as provided in
sub. (1) (am) 2. For eligible persons with coverage under
s. 149.14 (2) (a), premiums may not be reduced below 140% of the rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as are provided under the plan.
149.143(2m)(b)2.
2. For other needs of eligible persons, with the approval of the board.
149.143(2m)(b)3.
3. For distribution to eligible persons, notwithstanding any requirements in this chapter related to setting premium amounts. The department, with the approval of the board and the concurrence of the plan actuary, shall determine the policies, eligibility criteria, methodology, and other factors to be used in making any distribution under this subdivision.
149.143(3)(a)(a) If, during a plan year, the department determines that the amounts estimated to be received as a result of the rates and amount set under
sub. (2) (a) 2. to
4. and any adjustments in insurer assessments and the provider payment rate under
s. 149.144 will not be sufficient to cover plan costs, the department may by rule increase the premium rates set under
sub. (2) (a) 2. for the remainder of the plan year, subject to
s. 149.146 (2) (b) and the maximum specified in
sub. (2) (a) 2., by rule increase the assessments set under
sub. (2) (a) 3. for the remainder of the plan year, subject to
sub. (1) (bm) 1., and by the same rule under which assessments are increased adjust the provider payment rate set under
sub. (2) (a) 4. for the remainder of the plan year, subject to
sub. (1) (bm) 2. and
s. 149.142 (1) (b).
149.143(3)(b)
(b) If the department increases premium rates and insurer assessments and adjusts the provider payment rate under
par. (a) and determines that there will still be a deficit and that premium rates have been increased to the maximum extent allowable under
par. (a), the department may further adjust, in equal proportions, assessments set under
sub. (2) (a) 3. and the provider payment rate set under
sub. (2) (a) 4., without regard to
sub. (1) (bm) but subject to
s. 149.142 (1) (b).
149.143(3m)
(3m) Subject to
s. 149.14 (4m), insurers and providers may recover in the normal course of their respective businesses without time limitation assessments or provider payment rate adjustments used to recoup any deficit incurred under the plan.
149.143(4)
(4) Using the procedure under
s. 227.24, the department may promulgate rules under
sub. (2) or
(3) for the period before the effective date of any permanent rules promulgated under
sub. (2) or
(3), but not to exceed the period authorized under
s. 227.24 (1) (c) and
(2). Notwithstanding
s. 227.24 (1) and
(3), the department is not required to make a finding of emergency.
149.143(5)(a)(a) Annually, no later than April 30, the department shall perform a reconciliation with respect to plan costs, premiums, insurer assessments, and provider payment rate adjustments based on data from the previous calendar year. On the basis of the reconciliation, the department shall make any necessary adjustments in premiums, insurer assessments, or provider payment rates, subject to
s. 149.142 (1) (b), for the fiscal year beginning on the first July 1 after the reconciliation, as provided in
sub. (2) (b).
149.143(5)(b)
(b) Except as provided in
sub. (3) and
s. 149.144, the department shall adjust the provider payment rates to meet the providers' specified portion of the plan costs no more than once annually, subject to
s. 149.142 (1) (b). The department may not determine the adjustment on an individual provider basis or on the basis of provider type, but shall determine the adjustment for all providers in the aggregate, subject to
s. 149.142 (1) (b).
149.143 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
HFS 119, Wis. adm. code.
149.144
149.144
Adjustments to insurer assessments and provider payment rates for premium, deductible, and prescription drug copayment reductions. The department shall, by rule, adjust in equal proportions the amount of the assessment set under
s. 149.143 (2) (a) 3. and the provider payment rate set under
s. 149.143 (2) (a) 4., subject to
ss. 149.142 (1) (b) and
149.143 (1) (am), sufficient to reimburse the plan for premium reductions under
s. 149.165, deductible reductions under
s. 149.14 (5) (a), and any prescription drug copayment reductions under
s. 149.14 (5) (e). The department shall notify the commissioner so that the commissioner may levy any increase in insurer assessments.
149.144 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
HFS 119, Wis. adm. code.
149.145
149.145
Program budget. The department, in consultation with the board, shall establish a program budget for each plan year. The program budget shall be based on the provider payment rates specified in
s. 149.142 and in the most recent provider contracts that are in effect and on the funding sources specified in
ss. 149.143 (1) and
149.144, including the methodologies specified in
ss. 149.143,
149.144, and
149.146 for determining premium rates, insurer assessments, and provider payment rates. Except as otherwise provided in
s. 149.143 (3) (a) and
(b) and subject to
s. 149.142 (1) (b), from the program budget the department shall derive the actual provider payment rate for a plan year that reflects the providers' proportional share of the plan costs, consistent with
ss. 149.143 and
149.144. The department may not implement a program budget established under this section unless it is approved by the board.
149.146
149.146
Choice of coverage. 149.146(1)(a)(a) Beginning on January 1, 1998, in addition to the coverage required under
s. 149.14, the plan shall offer to all eligible persons who are not eligible for medicare a choice of coverage, as described in section 2744 (a) (1) (C),
P.L. 104-191. Any such choice of coverage shall be major medical expense coverage.
149.146(1)(b)
(b) An eligible person under
par. (a) may elect once each year, at the time and according to procedures established by the department, among the coverages offered under this section and
s. 149.14. If an eligible person elects new coverage, any preexisting condition exclusion imposed under the new coverage is met to the extent that the eligible person has been previously and continuously covered under this chapter. No preexisting condition exclusion may be imposed on an eligible person who elects new coverage if the person was an eligible individual when first covered under this chapter and the person remained continuously covered under this chapter up to the time of electing the new coverage.
149.146(2)(a)(a) Except as specified by the department, the terms of coverage under
s. 149.14, including deductible reductions under
s. 149.14 (5) (a) and prescription drug copayment reductions under
s. 149.14 (5) (e), do not apply to the coverage offered under this section. Premium reductions under
s. 149.165 do not apply to the coverage offered under this section.
149.146(2)(am)1.1. For all eligible persons with coverage under this section, the deductible shall be $2,500. Expenses used to satisfy the deductible during the last 90 days of a calendar year shall also be applied to satisfy the deductible for the following calendar year.
149.146(2)(am)2.
2. Except as provided in
subds. 3. and
5., if the covered costs incurred by the eligible person exceed the deductible for major medical expense coverage in a calendar year, the plan shall pay at least 80% of any additional covered costs incurred by the person during the calendar year.
149.146(2)(am)3.
3. Except as provided in
subd. 5., if the aggregate of the covered costs not paid by the plan under
subd. 2. and the deductible exceeds $3,500 for any eligible person during a calendar year or $7,000 for all eligible persons in a family, the plan shall pay 100% of all covered costs incurred by the eligible person during the calendar year after the payment ceilings under this subdivision are exceeded.
149.146(2)(am)4.
4. Notwithstanding
subds. 1. to
3., the department may establish different deductible amounts, a different coinsurance percentage and different covered costs and deductible aggregate amounts from those specified in
subds. 1. to
3. in accordance with cost containment provisions established by the department under
s. 149.17 (4).
149.146(2)(am)5.
5. Subject to
s. 149.14 (8) (b), the department may, by rule under
s. 149.17 (4), establish for prescription drug coverage under this section copayment amounts, coinsurance rates, and copayment and coinsurance out-of-pocket limits over which the plan will pay 100% of covered costs for prescription drugs. Any copayment amount, coinsurance rate, or out-of-pocket limit established under this subdivision is subject to the approval of the board. Copayments and coinsurance paid by an eligible person under this subdivision are separate from and do not count toward the deductible and covered costs not paid by the plan under
subds. 1. to
3.
149.146(2)(b)
(b) The schedule of premiums for coverage under this section shall be promulgated by rule by the department, as provided in
s. 149.143. The rates for coverage under this section shall be set such that they differ from the rates for coverage under
s. 149.14 (2) (a) by the same percentage as the percentage difference between the following:
149.146(2)(b)1.
1. The rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as provided under
s. 149.14 (2) (a) and
(5) (a).
149.146(2)(b)2.
2. The rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as the coverage offered under this section.
149.146 History
History: 1997 a. 27 ss.
4860c,
4860d; Stats. 1997 s. 149.146;
1997 a. 237;
1999 a. 9,
165;
2001 a. 16;
2003 a. 33.
149.146 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
HFS 119, Wis. adm. code.
149.15
149.15
Board of governors. 149.15(1)(1) The plan shall have a board of governors consisting of representatives of 2 participating insurers that are nonprofit corporations, representatives of 2 other participating insurers, 3 health care provider representatives, including one representative of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin, one representative of the Wisconsin Health and Hospital Association and one representative of an integrated multidisciplinary health system, and 4 public members, including one representative of small businesses in the state, appointed by the secretary for staggered 3-year terms. In addition, the commissioner, or a designated representative from the office of the commissioner, and the secretary, or a designated representative from the department, shall be members of the board. The public members shall not be professionally affiliated with the practice of medicine, a hospital, or an insurer. At least one of the public members shall be an individual who has coverage under the plan. The secretary or the secretary's representative shall be the chairperson of the board. Board members, except the commissioner or the commissioner's representative and the secretary or the secretary's representative, shall be compensated at the rate of $50 per diem plus actual and necessary expenses.
149.15(2)
(2) Annually, the board shall make a report to the appropriate standing committees under
s. 13.172 (3) and to the members of the plan summarizing the activities of the plan in the preceding calendar year. The annual report shall define the cost burden imposed by the plan on all policyholders in this state.
149.15(2m)
(2m) Annually, beginning in 1999, the board shall submit a report on or before June 30 to the legislature under
s. 13.172 (2) and to the governor on the operation of the plan, including any recommendations for changes to the plan.
149.15(3)
(3) The board shall do all of the following:
149.15(3)(a)
(a) Establish procedures under which applicants and participants may have grievances reviewed by an impartial body and reported to the board.
149.15(3)(c)
(c) Collect assessments from all insurers to provide for claims paid under the plan and for administrative expenses incurred or estimated to be incurred during the period for which the assessment is made. The level of payments shall be established as provided under
s. 149.143. Assessment of the insurers shall occur at the end of each calendar year or other fiscal year end established by the board. Assessments are due and payable within 30 days of receipt by the insurer of the assessment notice.
149.15(3)(d)
(d) Develop and implement a program to publicize the existence of the plan, the eligibility requirements and procedures for enrollment, and to maintain public awareness of the plan.
149.15(3)(g)
(g) Establish oversight committees to address various administrative issues, such as financial management of the plan and plan administrator performance standards. A representative of the department may not be the chairperson of any committee established under this paragraph.
149.15(4)
(4) The board may do any of the following:
149.15(4)(a)
(a) Prepare and distribute certificate of eligibility forms and enrollment instruction forms to insurance solicitors, agents and brokers, and to the general public in this state.
149.15(4)(b)
(b) Provide for reinsurance of risks incurred by the plan, and may enter into reinsurance agreements with insurers to establish a reinsurance plan for risks of coverage described in the plan, or obtain commercial reinsurance to reduce the risk of loss through the pool.
149.15(5)
(5) The department may, by rule, establish additional powers and duties of the board.
149.15(6)
(6) If any provision of this chapter conflicts with
s. 625.11 or
625.12, this chapter prevails.
149.15(7)(a)(a) The board is not liable for any obligation of the plan.
149.15 Cross-reference
Cross Reference: See also ch.
HFS 119, Wis. adm. code.
149.16
149.16
Plan administrator. 149.16(1m)(1m) The plan administrator may be selected by the department in a competitive bidding process.
149.16(3)(a)(a) The plan administrator shall perform all eligibility and administrative claims payment functions relating to the plan.
149.16(3)(b)
(b) The plan administrator shall establish a premium billing procedure for collection of premiums from insured persons. Billings shall be made on a periodic basis as determined by the department.
149.16(3)(c)
(c) The plan administrator shall perform all necessary functions to assure timely payment of benefits to covered persons under the plan, including:
149.16(3)(c)1.
1. Making available information relating to the proper manner of submitting a claim for benefits under the plan and distributing forms upon which submissions shall be made.
149.16(3)(c)2.
2. Evaluating the eligibility of each claim for payment under the plan.
149.16(3)(c)3.
3. Notifying each claimant within 30 days after receiving a properly completed and executed proof of loss whether the claim is accepted, rejected or compromised.
149.16(3)(e)
(e) The plan administrator, under the direction of the department, shall pay claims expenses from the premium payments received from or on behalf of covered persons under the plan. If the plan administrator's payments for claims expenses exceed premium payments, the board shall forward to the department, and the department shall provide to the plan administrator, additional funds for payment of claims expenses.
149.16(4)
(4) If the plan administrator is the fiscal agent under
s. 49.45 (2) (b) 2., the plan administrator shall account for costs related to the plan separately from costs related to medical assistance.
149.16(5)
(5) The department shall obtain the approval of the board before implementing any contract with the plan administrator.
149.165
149.165
Reductions in premiums for low-income eligible persons. 149.165(2)(a)(a) Subject to
sub. (3m), if the household income, as defined in
s. 71.52 (5) and as determined under
sub. (3), of an eligible person with coverage under
s. 149.14 (2) (a) is equal to or greater than the first amount and less than the 2nd amount listed in any of the following, the department shall reduce the premium for the eligible person to the rate shown after the amounts:
149.165(2)(a)1.
1. If equal to or greater than $0 and less than $10,000, to 100% of the rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as provided under
s. 149.14 (2) (a) and
(5) (a).
149.165(2)(a)2.
2. If equal to or greater than $10,000 and less than $14,000, to 106.5% of the rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as provided under
s. 149.14 (2) (a) and
(5) (a).
149.165(2)(a)3.
3. If equal to or greater than $14,000 and less than $17,000, to 115.5% of the rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as provided under
s. 149.14 (2) (a) and
(5) (a).
149.165(2)(a)4.
4. If equal to or greater than $17,000 and less than $20,000, to 124.5% of the rate that a standard risk would be charged under an individual policy providing substantially the same coverage and deductibles as provided under
s. 149.14 (2) (a) and
(5) (a).
