Gov. Dave Heineman has submitted a high-deductible health savings option for approval by the federal government.

Heineman on Monday notified U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of the "Nebraska option," saying it will allow Nebraska residents a more affordable choice.

He noted that the federal government hasn't supplied critical information, including regulations outlining the process that states are expected to comply.

Heineman says the "Nebraska option" would be the minimal coverage plan out of hundreds of health insurance plans that Nebraska residents can choose.

Under the federal health care overall, each state is to select a benefit package as a benchmark for all health insurance plans sold in the state, starting in 2014. States that don't set their own benchmarks will have them set by the federal government.