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ARTICLE 17 - GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE

The Employer shall provide a comprehensive health care insurance program to for 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 the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association (hereinafter OCSEA).

Regardless of plan, employees will pay 10 percent (10%) of the premium, provided however, that for an HMO health plan the Employer will pay no greater than 90 percent (90%) of the statewide HMO single and family average rates.    Regardless of the plan, employees will pay ten percent (10%) of the premium, provided however, that for an HMO health plan the Employer will pay the lesser of 1) ninety percent (90%) of the statewide HMO single and family average rates or 2) 90% of the Ohio Med PPO single and family rates. 

Effective July 1, 2005, employees will pay fifteen percent (15%) of the premium, provided however, that for an HMO health plan, the Employer will pay the lesser of 1) eighty-five percent (85%) of the statewide HMO single and family average rates or 2) eighty-five percent (85%) of the Ohio Med PPO single and family rates.  The Employer's premium share of 90 percent (90%) shall be paid on behalf of full-time and part-time employees as provided in the Employer's Agreement with OCSEA.

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.  Deductibles and co-payments for all benefit programs shall be the same as those prescribed 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 Tthe 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 to monitor the operation of the State's health care plans, and to make recommendations for the improvement of the plans and cost containment procedures.

The Employer shall provide funding for all dental, and vision and the life benefits as described in Article 21 of the Employer’s Agreement with OCSEA and the Union’s Benefits Trust.  to the extent and in the manner outlined in the Employer's Agreement with OCSEA and the Benefits Trust.  The Employer shall place the employees' monthly health benefits' deductions on a pre-tax basis as permitted by Federal Law.  Effective November 1^st of 2003 the State will commence the process of deducting the employee’s monthly share of the health care premium twice a month. The first half of the employee’s share of the monthly premium will be deducted from the first paycheck that the employee receives in a month. The remaining balance of the employee’s share of the monthly premium will be deducted from the second paycheck that the employee receives in a month.

In the Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, employees shall have their group health insurance paid during the calendar year under the terms of this Article.

In the event an employee goes on an extended medical disability leave, or is receiving disability leave or Workers’ Compensation benefits, the Employer-policyholder shall continue, at no cost to the employee, the coverage of group health insurance for such employee for the period of such extended leave, but not beyond two (2) years.