2015 Oregon Revised Statutes
Volume : 06 - Local Government, Public Employees, Elections
Chapter 243 - Public Employee Rights and Benefits
Section 243.135 - Health benefit plans for eligible employees; terms and conditions.

(1) Notwithstanding any other benefit plan contracted for and offered by the Public Employees’ Benefit Board, the board shall contract for a health benefit plan or plans best designed to meet the needs and provide for the welfare of eligible employees, the state and the local governments. In considering whether to enter into a contract for a plan, the board shall place emphasis on:

(a) Employee choice among high quality plans;

(b) A competitive marketplace;

(c) Plan performance and information;

(d) Employer flexibility in plan design and contracting;

(e) Quality customer service;

(f) Creativity and innovation;

(g) Plan benefits as part of total employee compensation; and

(h) The improvement of employee health.

(2) The board may approve more than one carrier for each type of plan contracted for and offered but the number of carriers shall be held to a number consistent with adequate service to eligible employees and their family members.

(3) Where appropriate for a contracted and offered health benefit plan, the board shall provide options under which an eligible employee may arrange coverage for family members.

(4) Payroll deductions for costs that are not payable by the state or a local government may be made upon receipt of a signed authorization from the employee indicating an election to participate in the plan or plans selected and the deduction of a certain sum from the employee’s pay.

(5) In developing any health benefit plan, the board may provide an option of additional coverage for eligible employees and their family members at an additional cost or premium.

(6) Transfer of enrollment from one plan to another shall be open to all eligible employees and their family members under rules adopted by the board. Because of the special problems that may arise in individual instances under comprehensive group practice plan coverage involving acceptable physician-patient relations between a particular panel of physicians and particular eligible employees and their family members, the board shall provide a procedure under which any eligible employee may apply at any time to substitute a health service benefit plan for participation in a comprehensive group practice benefit plan.

(7) The board shall evaluate a benefit plan that serves a limited geographic region of this state according to the criteria described in subsection (1) of this section.

[1971 c.527 §4; 1975 c.560 §2; 1977 c.313 §1; 1983 c.640 §3; 1997 c.222 §30; 2010 c.49 §1; 2013 c.731 §4]

Note: The amendments to 243.135 by section 4, chapter 389, Oregon Laws 2015, become operative February 1, 2017. See section 17, chapter 389, Oregon Laws 2015. The text that is operative on and after February 1, 2017, is set forth for the user’s convenience.
(1) Notwithstanding any other benefit plan contracted for and offered by the Public Employees’ Benefit Board, the board shall contract for a health benefit plan or plans best designed to meet the needs and provide for the welfare of eligible employees, the state and the local governments. In considering whether to enter into a contract for a plan, the board shall place emphasis on:

(a) Employee choice among high quality plans;

(b) A competitive marketplace;

(c) Plan performance and information;

(d) Employer flexibility in plan design and contracting;

(e) Quality customer service;

(f) Creativity and innovation;

(g) Plan benefits as part of total employee compensation;

(h) The improvement of employee health; and

(i) Health outcome and quality measures, described in ORS 413.017 (4), that are reported by the plan.

(2) The board may approve more than one carrier for each type of plan contracted for and offered but the number of carriers shall be held to a number consistent with adequate service to eligible employees and their family members.

(3) Where appropriate for a contracted and offered health benefit plan, the board shall provide options under which an eligible employee may arrange coverage for family members.

(4) Payroll deductions for costs that are not payable by the state or a local government may be made upon receipt of a signed authorization from the employee indicating an election to participate in the plan or plans selected and the deduction of a certain sum from the employee’s pay.

(5) In developing any health benefit plan, the board may provide an option of additional coverage for eligible employees and their family members at an additional cost or premium.

(6) Transfer of enrollment from one plan to another shall be open to all eligible employees and their family members under rules adopted by the board. Because of the special problems that may arise in individual instances under comprehensive group practice plan coverage involving acceptable provider-patient relations between a particular panel of providers and particular eligible employees and their family members, the board shall provide a procedure under which any eligible employee may apply at any time to substitute a health service benefit plan for participation in a comprehensive group practice benefit plan.

(7) The board shall evaluate a benefit plan that serves a limited geographic region of this state according to the criteria described in subsection (1) of this section.