[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of
the City of Amsterdam as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 6-21-2005 by L.L. No. 1-2005;
amended in it entirety 5-18-2011 by L.L. No. 4-2011]
The purpose of this article is to provide a uniform and consistent
policy governing the participation of City employees and officers
and retired City employees and officers in the City's health
insurance plan(s). This article is intended to apply to situations
where a collective bargaining agreement is not present or does not
fully address the area of health insurance.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The health insurance coverage plan that corresponds to the
benefits provided by Blue Shield PPO 898 with $15 copayments and drug
coverage with copayments of $5 for generic drugs, $20 for formulary
drugs and $30 for nonformulary drugs; participation in CanRx is available
with zero copayment, however, if CanRx is available and the participant
does not use it then the copayment is $60; plus such other plans as
may be made available by resolution of the Common Council.
Less than 20 hours per week.
A.
Eligibility
to receive health insurance benefits and terms of participation shall
be governed by the respective collective bargaining agreements of
the various recognized employee bargaining units or by any contract
with a particular employee. In the event that the applicable collective
bargaining agreement or contract does not address health insurance
or does not completely address health insurance, then the provisions
of this chapter that are not inconsistent with the collective bargaining
agreement or contract are applicable.
B.
Non-bargaining
unit nonelective officers and employees who are other than part-time
shall receive the same health insurance benefits and terms of participation
as are set forth in the collective bargaining agreement for the UPSEU
(department heads) employee bargaining unit, or any successor organization.
C.
The
Mayor, Controller and members of the Common Council shall receive
such health insurance benefits as the Common Council shall from time
to time determine by local law. Nothing herein shall be construed
as preventing any elected officer from waiving any benefit granted
hereunder, and any local law or ordinance not inconsistent with this
section shall remain in effect until altered as provided herein. Health
insurance benefits for the Aldermen shall be available only on tendering
the full cost of the premium for same by the member, and there shall
be no "buyout" provisions for the Aldermen.
D.
Retired
officers and employees not otherwise covered by the terms of a collective
bargaining agreement who commenced employment with the City prior
to August 2, 1994, shall be eligible to participate in the City's
health insurance plan(s), provided that they meet the following conditions:
(1)
The retiree must have served at least 10 years as a City employee
(with the same allowance for service credit as the state retirement
system allows for veterans who served in time of war). With respect
to service credit, the decision of the New York State Retirement System
shall be determinative.
(2)
The retiree must be a member of the New York State Retirement System.
(3)
The retiree must commence collecting retirement benefits as an employee
of the City of Amsterdam. (Examples: City employment ends December
31, 1960, New York State retirement benefits commence January 1, 1961;
conversely, not eligible: City employment ends December 31, 1960,
retirement benefits commence April 30, 1965; also not eligible: retirement
benefits commence December 31, 1960, City employment commences January
1, 1961. These examples are meant to be illustrative and not all-inclusive.)
(4)
The Common Council may from time to time by resolution, ordinance
or local law set terms for reception of health insurance benefits
under this section, including eligibility of spouses, dependents,
and surviving spouses and/or dependents; the amount or percentage
of contribution from retirees and/or dependents; requirements for
maintenance of supplemental Medicare or other insurance; and such
other restrictions, conditions or limitations of this benefit as the
Common Council may deem proper.
E.
Retired officers and employees not otherwise covered by the terms
of a collective bargaining agreement who commenced employment after
August 2, 1994, are not eligible for health insurance.
F.
An otherwise eligible retiree may enroll in two-person or family
coverage only for a spouse to whom the retiree was married on or before
the date of retirement.
G.
Coverage may not be discontinued and resumed. Once coverage is stopped,
either by request or failure to pay required contributions, then coverage
may not be resumed.
H.
Coverage may not be increased from the initial election of coverage
at retirement to either two-person or family coverage, if single-person
coverage is initially elected; likewise family coverage is not available
if two-person coverage is initially elected at retirement.
I.
Active and retired Police Chiefs and Fire Chiefs are entitled to
health insurance benefits under the collective bargaining agreement
applicable to the next lowest department member covered by a collective
bargaining agreement.
J.
Employees who transfer from one City collective bargaining unit to
another may apply the time worked in the previous unit to the vesting
time requirement of the subsequent unit, provided that there is not
a gap in service.
A.
All eligible retirees except those severely injured on the job and
who stayed on the job before receiving a disability retirement and
are not covered under the terms of a negotiated contract, who do not
have their contribution rates set by collective bargaining agreement,
shall contribute to the cost of their health insurance as follows
for the fiscal year 2011-2012:
B.
All eligible retirees will maintain Medicare Part B insurance as
soon as eligible for all covered individuals. The cost of this shall
be reimbursed or credited by the City in the amount previously set
by resolution.
C.
If the retiree fails to make the required contribution or participate
in Medicare Part B, then coverage will be discontinued.
