SS/HCS/HB 1576 - This act allows any specialized licensed foster parent of foster children with special needs due to a history of sexual abuse, serious physical abuse, or severe chronic neglect to purchase the same health insurance as state employees for himself or herself and his or her dependents from the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan at the actuarially determined rate of total premium for such health care coverage. Any such licensed foster parent as outlined above providing temporary foster care for children with a documented history of presenting behaviors or diagnoses that render the child unable to effectively function outside of a highly structured environment is eligible to purchase the state health insurance plan at his or her own expense. A foster parent who is seeking to adopt a foster child or who is related to the foster child shall not be eligible to purchase the plan. In order to be able to purchase such health insurance, the foster parents shall not have access to other health insurance coverage through an employer or spouse's employer. The Department of Social Services shall provide the appropriate documentation of initial and ongoing eligibility of foster parents who qualify for the purchase to the Missouri Consolidated Health Care Plan. ADRIANE CROUSE
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