Explanation
Both the Federal government, through the Affordable Care Act in March 2009, and the State government, through the budget that was passed in July 2009, allow older children, up to the age of 28, to remain covered under their parents' coverage. In compliance with the two mandates, the City will extend health insurance coverage to its eligible dependents beginning February 1, 2011, the renewal of the City's health plan year.
In order for the City of Columbus to continue to be a competitive employer and address current employee health care demands, it is proposed that additional eligible dependents of Columbus City employees be included for purposes of health insurance coverage.
Fiscal impact for 2010 is approximately $150,000 and will be expended from the Employee Benefits Trust Fund.
Title
To authorize the Director of Human Resources to provide for additional eligible dependents for purposes of insurance coverage and to declare an emergency. (AMENDED BY ORDINANCE 1584-2012 PASSED 07/30/2012)
Body
WHEREAS, both the Federal government, through the Affordable Care Act in March 2009, and the State government, through the budget that was passed in July 2009, allow older children, up to the age of 28, to remain covered under their parents' coverage; and
WHEREAS, in compliance with the two mandates, the City will extend health insurance coverage to its eligible dependents beginning February 1, 2011, the renewal of the City's health plan year; and
WHEREAS, the Federal mandate requires employers to insure the dependents at no additional cost to the employees until the dependents turn age 26; and
WHEREAS, the State law requires coverage until the end of a dependent's 28th year , and it is optional for an employer to share the cost with the employee; and
WHEREAS, the Administration is recommending to provide for additional eligible dependents who share a permanent residence with a covered City employee; and Now, Therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That the City of Columbus shall comply with the Federal Affordable Care Act of 2009 by allowing eligibility for health insurance coverage as defined herein as follows:
· The dependent child meets the current eligibility criteria as defined under the insurance plan and as set forth in the Benefit Booklet promulgated by the Director of Human Resources;
· The dependent child has not yet reached his/her 26th birthday;
· The dependent child does not have his/her own employer coverage available;
· The dependent child may be married or unmarried.
Section 2. That the City of Columbus shall comply with State law related to dependent children by allowing eligibility for health insurance coverage as defined herein as follows:
· The dependent child must be a natural child, stepchild, or adopted child of the covered employee;
· The dependent child has not reached his/her 28th birthday;
· The dependent child is a resident of the State of Ohio or a full-time student at an accredited public or private institution of higher education;
· The dependent child does not have his/her own employer coverage available;
· The dependent child must be unmarried;
· The dependent child is not eligible for coverage under Medicaid or Medicare.
Section 3. That the Human Resources Director is hereby authorized to provide for additional eligible dependents to include an adult with whom the covered employee shares a permanent residence. The additional eligible dependent must also meet all of the following criteria:
1. Is not currently married to or legally separated from another person either under statutory or common law; and
2. Shares responsibility with the employee for each others' common welfare; and
3. Is at least eighteen (18) years of age and mentally competent to consent to contract; and
4. Is financially interdependent with the employee, as demonstrated by a signed declaration of financial interdependence and at least four (4) of the following:
· Joint ownership of real estate property or joint tenancy on a residential lease; or
· Joint ownership of an automobile; or
· Joint bank or credit account; or
· Joint liabilities (e.g., credit cards or loans); or
· A will designating the eligible dependent as primary beneficiary; or
· A retirement plan or life insurance policy beneficiary designation form designating the eligible dependent as primary beneficiary; or
· A durable power of attorney signed to the effect that the employee and eligible dependent have granted powers to one another.
5. Any additional criteria limiting eligibility as determined by the Human Resources Director. Such additional criteria shall be incorporated by amendment in the Health Insurance Summary Plan Description, commonly referred to as the benefit booklet.
Section 4. That a 30-day open enrollment period will be available before any of the coverages set forth herein are effective.
Section 5. That the Director of Human Resources is hereby authorized to determine who qualifies as an eligible dependent using the criteria set forth herein and as described in the benefit booklet promulgated by the Director of Human Resources.
Section 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest date allowed by law. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approvals by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.