(A) All regular full-time employees who work 30 or more hours per pay week are eligible to participate in the county’s group health insurance program. To enroll, employees must join the plan within 30 days of their hire date, or within 30 days of becoming eligible to enroll. If, in any given period, an employee does not work 30 or more hours in a pay week, due to no fault of his or her own (either because of illness or hours not being available), the insurance will stay in effect as long as the employee averages 30 hours per week during the year.
(B) Costs are subject to change at any time due to increased cost of the program. Employees may opt out of insurance coverage with proof of valid insurance coverage from another source. Employees opting out will be paid $250 a month for the entire year of coverage. Employees must have the County Administrator authorize the waiver of health insurance coverage form.
(C) New employees who fail to enroll within 30 days of his or her hire date shall not be covered by county insurance until January 1 of the following year or other annual open enrollment date established by the county. All other changes to the employee’s plan (i.e., birth/adoption of a child) must be made within 30 days of the date of the event.
(D) Insurance coverage begins on the first day of employment if properly enrolled as discussed directly above.
(E) Insurance coverage for an employee ends on the last day of the month during which the employee worked unless the employee elects COBRA coverage as discussed below.
(F) Employees wishing coverage for minor children (other than their own) living with them full-time must submit a copy of legal guardianship/power of attorney and a completed health questionnaire to the Human Resources for review before coverage shall be granted.
(G) The county’s group health insurance covers children on their parent’s plan, even if they are not classified as a dependent, until they are 26 years old.
(H) COBRA coverage. Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, 1985 (COBRA), a person who has been covered under an employer’s group medial and hospitalization insurance plan as a plan participant or dependent may be eligible to continue coverage for a limited period of time after such coverage would otherwise terminate. More specifically, a county employee that has been employee for six consecutive months prior to their voluntary or involuntary termination (other than for gross misconduct) from county employment will be allowed to continue medical and hospitalization insurance coverage for themselves, their spouse and dependents for up to 18 months from the date of termination. However, the terminated employee is required to pay the entire cost of the coverage and coverage may cease if the premium payments are not made. The county may assess up to 2% of the premium as an administrative fee.
(I) Coverage and similar requirements are governed by the statute and insurance policies at issue. Life insurance is also provided. Questions regarding issues should be directed to Human Resources.
(Ord. passed 6- -2019; Ord. 2021-13, passed 12-21-2021; Ord. 2022-06, passed - -)