RESOLUTION 2004 – 61

 

(Establishing regulations for LEOFF I retirees for continuing health insurance)

 

WHEREAS, the state of Washington LEOFF retirement system requires the local government of a retired LEOFF I employee to pay the medical costs for that insurance during the career and retirement of that employee; and

 

WHEREAS, occasionally a retired LEOFF I employee who retired after being employed by another local government may be hired  by or elected to office in Skamania County and not need Skamania County health insurance coverage for that employee, but may need health insurance coverage for the LEOFF I employee’s family; and

 

WHEREAS, under Skamania County Personnel Policy any employee meeting eligibility requirement for Skamania County insurance receives health insurance benefits as specified by Personnel Policy, collective bargaining agreements, and contracts with health insurance providers; and

 

WHEREAS, the LEOFF I employee will remain on the medical costs coverage of the local government from which the LEOFF I employee retired after leaving service with Skamania County and it is important that the spouse and/or eligible dependents of the employee be able to maintain coverage after the LEOFF I employee leaves Skamania County service; and

 

WHEREAS, the cost of health insurance paid by Skamania County for the LEOFF I employee and dependents shall not exceed the amount paid on behalf of other County employees and elected officials; and

 

WHEREAS, it is anticipated that this policy will save Skamania County health insurance costs, but in no case cost more than the LEOFF I retiree would receive as an employee or elected official of Skamania County;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Skamania County shall provide the following options for LEOFF I employees who retiree from another local government or state government and then become active Skamania County employees or elected officials; provided the local or state government agrees to any option involving the local government and provided that the total insurance paid by Skamania County on behalf of the LEOFF I retiree does not exceed the amount paid for Skamania County employees and elected officials:

 

  1. The state or local government from which the LEOFF I employee retired shall continue to pay the full medical costs and medical insurance costs of that employee as required under that state or local government’s LEOFF I regulations and state statute, EXCEPT for any gap in LEOFF I insurance eligibility when Skamania County shall pay COBRA health insurance cost to the state or other local government during the COBRA eligibility period of the LEOFF I retiree.

 

  1. At the request of the LEOFF I retiree, Skamania County will pay dental insurance coverage for the LEOFF I retiree to the local or state government if the local or state government offers, but not pay for dental insurance for LEOFF I retirees, as long as Skamania County employees continue to receive dental insurance as part of their compensation package.

 

  1. For health insurance coverage for dependents of the retired LEOFF I employee, the LEOFF I employee may elect one of the following options:

 

a.                   The dependents may participate in the Skamania County health insurance plan consistent with the eligibility requirements of the Personnel Policy, collective bargaining agreement, and contracts with health insurance, provided the health insurance providers allow dependents only to enroll in the County plan; or

b.                  The dependents may participate in the health insurance plan provided by the local government from which the LEOFF I employee retired and Skamania County shall pay the cost of this health insurance coverage, or

c.                   The employee may decline health insurance coverage for dependents and the county will pay no health insurance costs for dependents nor provide any additional compensation in lieu of dependent health insurance costs.

 

PASSED IN REGULAR SESSION this 27th day of December, 2004.