S-3607.2  _______________________________________________

 

                         SENATE BILL 6460

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

 

By Senators Fraser, Snyder, Kline, McAuliffe, Kohl‑Welles, Haugen, Deccio, Franklin, Rasmussen, Winsley and Bauer

 

Read first time 01/17/2000.  Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Providing for enrollment in the uniform medical plan for retired, disabled, or separated public employees.


    AN ACT Relating to enrollment in the uniform medical plan by retired, disabled, or separated public employees; and amending RCW 41.05.080.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 41.05.080 and 1996 c 39 s 22 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) Under the qualifications, terms, conditions, and benefits set by the board:

    (a) Retired or disabled state employees, retired or disabled school employees, or employees of county, municipal, or other political subdivisions covered by this chapter who are retired may continue their participation in insurance plans and contracts after retirement or disablement;

    (b) Separated employees may continue their participation in insurance plans and contracts if participation is selected immediately upon separation from employment.

    (2) Rates charged retired or disabled employees, separated employees, spouses, or dependent children who are not eligible for parts A and B of medicare shall be based on the experience of the community rated risk pool established under RCW 41.05.022.

    (3) Rates charged to retired or disabled employees, separated employees, spouses, or children who are eligible for parts A and B of medicare shall be calculated from a separate experience risk pool comprised only of individuals eligible for parts A and B of medicare; however, the premiums charged to medicare-eligible retirees and disabled employees shall be reduced by the amount of the subsidy provided under RCW 41.05.085.

    (4) Retired or disabled and separated employees shall be responsible for payment of premium rates developed by the authority which shall include the cost to the authority of providing insurance coverage including any amounts necessary for reserves and administration in accordance with this chapter.  These self pay rates will be established based on a separate rate for the employee, the spouse, and the children.

    (5) Unless he or she requests otherwise in writing, a retired, disabled, or separated employee shall automatically be enrolled in the uniform medical plan if the health plan in which he or she is otherwise enrolled pursuant to this section ceases to be available.

    (6) The term "retired state employees" for the purpose of this section shall include but not be limited to members of the legislature whether voluntarily or involuntarily leaving state office.

 


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