§36-29-19.8. Supplemental coverage for certain retirees.

The board may offer a retiree a supplemental coverage to other employer group health insurance coverage and certain requirements shall be maintained regarding retiree health coverage and cost sharing.

(1) For employees who retire after September 30, 2005, and who become employed by an employer that provides employees at least 50 percent of the cost of single health insurance coverage and that qualify to receive other employer group health insurance coverage through that employer shall be required to use the employer's health benefit plan for primary coverage and the State Employees' Health Insurance Plan may provide supplemental coverage.

(2) For retirees who have spouses with other employer group health insurance coverage available to them through their employer or previous employer, the board may provide such retirees with a supplemental coverage to other employer group health insurance coverage in lieu of coverage in the basic medical plan of the State Employees' Health Insurance Plan.

(3) An employer that provides its employees and their spouses with other employer group health insurance coverage may not exclude a retiree, as defined under Section 36-29-1(11), or his or her spouse from coverage by application of a provision which does not also apply on the same terms and conditions to other retirees or their spouses. No provision of this section requires an employer to amend its plan to provide additional benefits.

(Act 2004-648, 1st Sp. Sess., p. 28, §1.)