Multi-Share Coverage Options for Texas Communities

Senate Bill 10, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, authorizes counties to establish or participate in a local or regional program to provide health-care benefits or services to employees of small employers (with 2-50 employees).  These programs are sometimes referred to as three-share or multi-share programs because they are funded through a combination of employer, employee, public, and other funds.

Section 13 of Senate Bill 10 allows the governing body (county commissioner courts or a designee) of these programs to establish criteria for participation by small employers, their employees and their dependents in the program.  The goal of these programs is to increase access to health care for these employees.  The governing body may establish criteria for participation in the program and may require that the employer and participating employees pay a share of the cost. 

The bill would also authorize a local or regional multi-share program to receive funding from the Texas Health Opportunity Pool trust fund if it complies with applicable requirements under the related Medicaid waiver and provides services to eligible individuals.

Senate Bill 10 specifies what types of coverage the programs may purchase for participants, including a small employer health benefit plan, a standard benefit plan, a policy issued by a group hospital service corporation, HMO coverage, a self-funded health benefit plan, health savings accounts, and high-deductible health plans.

For more information on these programs, see the Medicaid reform issue paper on three-share/multi-share programs.