53-6-903. (Temporary) Medicaid medical savings accounts -- pilot project elements -- project timelines -- contracts. (1) The department shall design a pilot project in accordance with 53-6-904 and this section for the use of medical savings accounts in conjunction with the Montana medicaid program. The department shall establish and administer the medical savings account and high-deductible health care coverage parts of the pilot project following approval of the waivers requested by the department pursuant to 53-6-906.
     (2) The pilot project consists of the following elements:
     (a) a design plan prepared by the department pursuant to a contract required by 53-6-904;
     (b) a request submitted by the department pursuant to 53-6-906 to the U.S. health care financing administration for waivers, pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 1315, of requirements of Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C. 1396, et seq.;
     (c) establishment, funding, and management by the department pursuant to a contract required by 53-6-907 of medical savings accounts for participants chosen pursuant to 53-6-905;
     (d) high-deductible health care coverage purchased by contract by the department in accordance with 53-6-908 for each participant for each fiscal year during the time of the pilot project;
     (e) evaluation of the pilot project in the manner provided by 53-6-909 and reports to the legislative audit division and to the legislative fiscal division in the manner required by 53-6-910.
     (3) The pilot project begins with commencement of the design plan provided by 53-6-904. Elements of the project as provided in subsection (2) of this section may be begun and completed at times determined by the department consistent with this part. However, medical savings accounts and high-deductible health care coverage for each participant must begin no later than January 1, 1999.
     (4) Requests for proposals and contracts required or authorized by this part must comply in all respects with the provisions of Title 18. The department may also consult with the department of administration, the state insurance commissioner, and recognized experts in contracts for the types of services required or authorized by this part before committing the state to those contracts.
     (5) The pilot project may not include mental health services. (Terminates October 1, 2001--sec. 1, Ch. 28, L. 1999.)

     History: En. Sec. 3, Ch. 380, L. 1997.