Texas lawmakers have introduced legislation that would allow employers to offer health coverage that does not include certain state-mandated health benefits, such as childhood vaccines, hearing screenings, cancer screenings, mental health coverage and diabetes services.
The bill was introduced March 7 and aims to reduce the overall cost of employer-sponsored health insurance by providing a plan that may be less expensive but offers fewer benefits than those typically required under state-regulated plans.
Health coverage offered under the new model would be required to inform employees at the time of enrollment that their plan does not include certain required benefits, along with no limitations on deductibles and copays. Any employer who decides to provide the alternative plan must also offer at least one option that includes the full range of state-mandated benefits.
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