151.09 MEDICAL HEALTH CARE FOR RETIREES.

   (a)   As used herein “retiree” means an employee who is currently retired, or retires hereafter, with the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) or the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund (OP&F) from employment with the City of Cuyahoga Falls having a minimum of twelve years of continuous full-time service with the City immediately before the date of retirement. Retiree does not include any employee whose date of hire is on or after January 1, 2004. As used herein, “health care cost” means health insurance premiums, prescription drug insurance premiums, and deductibles and co-payments, charged under a health care plan provided to the retiree, or the surviving spouse of the retiree by virtue of the retiree’s public employment, by either PERS or OP&F to provide health care to the retiree, the retiree’s eligible spouse, and the retiree’s eligible children.

   (b)    Except as otherwise provided by applicable collective bargaining agreements, effective January 1, 2004, the City shall reimburse a retiree for health care costs incurred by the retiree or the surviving spouse of the retiree up to the following annual maximum amounts:

   PERS Retirees   $1,935.00 per retiree to include premiums, deductibles and copayments, which amount shall increase five percent (5%) per year commencing January 1, 2005.

   OP&R Retirees

    Single Coverage   $1,129.00 per retiree for premiums which amount shall increase five percent (5%) per year commencing January 1, 2005, plus $400.00 for deductibles and copayments.

   Single and Spousal

    Coverage   $2,831.00 per retiree for premiums which amount shall increase five percent (5%) per year commencing January 1, 2005, plus $400.00 for deductibles and copayments.

   Family Coverage   $3,575.00 per retiree for premiums which amount shall increase five percent (5%) per year commencing January 1, 2005, plus $400.00 for deductibles and copayments.

   The annual reimbursement maximum for premiums shall be prorated on a monthly basis and the amount of reimbursement for premiums in a given month shall not exceed the prorated monthly amount.

   (c)   The reimbursements provided for herein shall cease upon the happening of either of the following events.

      (1)   The retiree and the retiree’s spouse both reach the age of 65 years.

      (2)   The retiree, the retiree’s spouse, or the surviving spouse of a retiree becomes employed on a full-time basis with the City of Cuyahoga Falls.

      (3)   Any event, the effect of which under eligibility requirements in effect at PERS or OP&F would be that PERS or OP&F would cease to provide insurance premium subsidies to the retiree or the retiree’s surviving spouse.

   (d)   In the event that either PERS or OP&F terminate health care coverage to retirees after the effective date of this ordinance, an adversely affected retiree shall be permitted to return to the City’s health care plan, provided that the retiree pay one-third the amount of the premium charged pursuant to the Comprehensive Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act.

   (e)   The Director of Finance is hereby authorized and directed to make the payments provided for herein. (Ord. 160-2003. Passed 12-15-03.)