ARTICLE 51 - GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE

51.01 Health Insurance
The Employer shall provide a comprehensive health care insurance program to all permanent full-time and part-time employees who shall have the right to choose among any qualified health plans which are available in their area. Health Plan characteristics and benefits shall be as provided in the Employer's Agreement with OCSEA.

Regardless of plan, the Employer will pay 85% of the claims cost for the plan selected and 85% of the lowest cost administrative fee among the plans offered. The employee will pay 15% of the claims cost for the plan selected, 15% of the lowest administrative fee, and the full difference in cost between the lowest administrative fee and the administrative fee charged by the plan selected. The State will deduct the employee's monthly share of the health care premium twice a month or bi-weekly as determined by the Employer.

Employees who include a spouse as a dependent for healthcare coverage shall pay a surcharge of $12.50 per month in addition to the family premium. The Employer shall place the employee's monthly health benefits‟ deductions on a pre-tax basis as permitted by Federal Law.

Eligibility provisions for employees enrolling in State provided health care plans shall remain the same as those in effect in the Employer's agreement with OCSEA

At least every other year the Employer shall conduct an open enrollment period, at which time employees shall be able to enroll in a health plan, continue enrollment in their current plan, or switch to another plan, subject to plan availability in their area. The timing of the open enrollment period shall be established by the Director of The Department of Administrative Services (DAS), in consultation with the Joint Health Care Committee. Changes outside of open enrollment may only occur as prescribed in the Employer's Agreement with OCSEA.

There shall be established a Joint Health Care Committee composed of representatives of management, and of the various labor unions representing state employees. The committee shall meet regularly using the procedures and performing the duties outlined in the Agreement with OCSEA.

51.02 Dental/Vision
The Employer shall provide funding to the Union Benefits Trust on behalf of members as outlined in its agreement with OCSEA. All member dental and vision benefits shall be provided by the Union Benefits Trust.