Insurance - 5331
The District will make a contribution toward premiums for full-time staff and a prorated contribution for less than full-time staff for insurance programs which are approved by the District. Liability protection provided to staff will be managed as a part of the District's risk management program and will be subject to the District's policies and the coverage agreement(s).
In compliance with COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), the District will offer continuing health care coverage on a self-pay basis to staff members and their dependents following termination (for reasons other than gross misconduct), a reduction in hours, retirement, loss of dependent status, or death. These health benefits will be identical to the coverages offered to other staff members.
In the case of a loss of coverage due to end of employment or reduction in hours of employment, coverage generally may be continued only for up to a total of 18 months. In the case of loss of coverage due to an employee's death, divorce or legal separation, the employee becoming entitled to Medicare benefits or a dependent child ceasing to be a dependent under the terms of the plan; coverage of qualified beneficiaries may be continued for up to a total of 36 months. When the qualifying event is the end of employment or reduction of the employee's hours of employment, and the employee became entitled to Medicare benefits less than 18 months before the qualifying event, COBRA continuation coverage for qualified beneficiaries other than the employee lasts until 36 months after the date of Medicare entitlement. The full policy monthly premium will be paid by the staff member or the qualified beneficiary to the District. The District may collect a two (2) percent administration fee on COBRA payments.
Legal References:
RCW 28A.400.350 Liability, life, health, health care, accident, disability and salary insurance authorized--Premiums
RCW 28A.400.370 Mandatory insurance protection for employees
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
Adoption Date: November 9, 1998
Revised: November 28, 2005
Revised: February 9, 2010