(A) (1) Full-time employees are eligible to participate in the city’s insurance program.
(2) The programs and criteria for eligibility will be explained at the time the employee becomes eligible to join.
(3) The city reserves the right to make changes in the carriers and provisions of these programs when deemed necessary or advisable.
(B) (1) Upon mutual agreement between the employee and the city, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the insurance policy, the city will continue health insurance coverage at the employee’s expense during an approved unpaid leave of absence.
(2) COBRA continuation rights may apply in the event coverage is not extended through the city.
(C) While an employee is receiving worker’s compensation benefits, the city may continue to pay the employee’s health insurance premiums for one month, after which the employee may choose to use his or her COBRA rights and self-pay insurance premiums.
(D) (1) Upon an employee’s termination from city employment, at the employee’s option and expense, the employee may elect to continue city health insurance benefits to the extent provided under COBRA, Police Pension, IMRF or as required by state statutes.
(2) Continuation rights are not available if an employee is terminated for “gross misconduct”.
(E) An administrative handling fee over and above the cost of the insurance premium may be charged the employee or his or her dependents who elect to exercise their COBRA continuation rights.
(Ord. 2619, passed 7-8-2003)