54-52.1-18. High-deductible health plan alternative with health savings account option

54-52.1-18. High-deductible health plan alternative with health savings account option. 1. The board shall develop and implement a high-deductible health plan as an alternative to the plan under section 54-52.1-02. The high-deductible health plan alternative with a health savings account must be made available to state employees by January 1, 2012. After June 30, 2015, at the board's discretion, the high-deductible health plan alternative may be offered to political subdivisions for coverage of political subdivision employees. If a political subdivision elects this high-deductible option the political subdivision may not offer the plan under section 54-52.1-02. 2. Health savings account fees for participating state employees must be paid by the employer. a. Except as provided in subdivision b, subject to the limits of section 223(b) of the Internal Revenue Code [26 U.S.C. 223(b)], the difference between the cost of the single and family premium for eligible state employees under section 54-52.1-06 and the premium for those employees electing to participate under the high-deductible health plan under this section must be deposited in a health savings account for the benefit of each participating employee. b. If the public employees retirement system is unable to establish a health savings account due to the employee's ineligibility under federal or state law or due to failure of the employee to provide necessary information in order to establish the account, the system is not responsible for depositing the health savings account contribution. The member will remain a participant in the high-deductible health plan regardless of whether a health savings account is established. c. If a member closes the health savings account established for that member under this section, the system is not responsible for depositing the health savings account contribution after that closure. 3. Each new state employee must be provided the opportunity to elect the high-deductible health plan alternative. At least once each biennium, the board shall provide an open enrollment period allowing existing state employees or a political subdivision to change their coverage.