(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
“EMPLOYEE.” An elected or appointed officer or official, or a full-time town employee.
“GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE.” The type of health insurance authorized, provided and made available for the benefit of retired employees and retired public safety employees of the town.
“PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEE.” A full-time police officer.
“RETIRED EMPLOYEE.” A former employee who meets the requirements established by the town for participation in a group health insurance plan for retired employees and retired public safety employees.
“RETIREMENT DATE.” The date that the town employee has chosen to receive retirement benefits from the Employees’ Retirement Fund.
(B) There is hereby authorized the entry into a program and policy of group health insurance which shall be made available to retired employees and retired public safety employees of the town, as defined herein and as further defined by provisions of IC 5-10-8 et seq., as amended from time to time. Each eligible participating retired employee and eligible participating retired public safety employee shall be permitted to participate in and be covered by such group health insurance plan and policy as is provided for and entered into by the town for such retired employees and retired public safety employees. Each participating eligible retired employee and eligible retired public safety employee shall be required to pay the entire premium cost for such group health insurance coverage. Each participating eligible retired public safety employee shall further be required to comply with the provisions of IC 5-10-8 et seq., as amended from time to time, providing for such coverage availability for such retired public safety employees. Each participating eligible retired employee shall be required, likewise, to comply with the terms and provisions of IC 5-10-8 et seq., as amended from time to time, for participating in such coverage.
(C) (1) The eligibility of a retired public safety employee for group health insurance hereunder shall end on the earlier of the following, namely:
(a) When the retired public safety employee becomes eligible for Medicare coverage as prescribed by 42 U.S.C. 1395, et seq.;
(b) When the town terminates the health insurance program for active public safety employees.
(2) A retired public safety employee of the town who is eligible and participating in the group health insurance coverage provided for and authorized by this section, as amended from time to time, shall conform to and comply with all of the statutory requirements of IC 5-10-8 et seq., as amended from time to time.
(D) A retired employee’s eligibility to continue the coverage under the Group Health Insurance program provided for and authorized herein ends when the Retired Employee becomes eligible for medicare coverage as prescribed by 42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq., as amended from time to time, or when the town terminates and ends the group health insurance program for all employees. A retired employee of the town who is eligible and participating in the group health insurance coverage provided for and authorized by this section, as amended from time to time, shall conform to and comply with all of the statutory requirements of IC 5-10-8 et seq., as amended from time to time.
(E) All participating retired employees and retired public safety employees shall additionally be required to comply with and conform to the terms and provisions of the group health insurance plan and program provided for by the town for such employees. Such compliance shall be considered a condition of eligibility.
(F) In the event of any conflict in the provisions of this section, as amended from time to time, the provisions of IC 5-10-8 et seq., as amended from time to time, shall supersede and be dispositive of any issues in dispute.
(Ord. 722, passed 6-23-98)