(A) Beginning the first day of the month following hire date, a full-time employee and his or her dependents will be eligible for coverage under the current employee group health insurance plan. The employee’s share will be deducted from the employee’s paycheck automatically. However, the employee will need to read the health insurance information booklet for co-payment and benefit information. It is not mandatory that employees enroll. However, employees will be given the opportunity at the time of new hire, then not again until open enrollment each year. Those employees who wish to add a spouse and/or dependents(s) to his or her coverage may do so during open enrollment. Newborns, new spouses, and new stepchildren must be added within the first 30 days of the birth, marriage, and the like.
(B) Employees, his or her spouses, or dependents who are enrolled in the city’s group health insurance at the time of the employee’s termination from employment (other than for gross misconduct or as the result of retirement) or because of another qualifying event, may, unless otherwise provided by law, elect to continue participating in the group health insurance plan through the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act (COBRA), being PL 99-272, 100 Stat. 82. In addition to termination of employment (except for gross misconduct), qualifying events include death, divorce, legal separation of marriage, and other similar change of status (example: dependent age no longer qualifies for coverage under the parent’s group plan). When there is a qualifying event, the employee must notify the Clerk-Treasurer’s Office within 30 days of the qualifying event. The city administers the COBRA and the monthly payment/expense is paid directly to the city by the qualifying person or employee.
(Ord. 2013-7, passed 8-28-2013)