C.R.S. Section 24-50-609.5
Supplemental state contribution for eligible state employees

  • legislative declaration
  • definitions

(1)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:

(I)

It is the intent of the general assembly that all children in the state, including lower-income children, have access to affordable and adequate health insurance.

(II)

The children of state employees are ineligible for existing federal and state programs, including medicaid and the children’s basic health plan, that provide health insurance to lower-income children whose families are not otherwise able to afford health insurance.

(III)

Although the state pays a portion of the health insurance premiums for those state employees who enroll in a health insurance plan offered by the state, many lower-income state employees nonetheless cannot afford to pay the required employee contribution to the plan premiums for any plan or the higher employee contribution to a plan with a low deductible and therefore decline to enroll in a health insurance plan or enroll in a high deductible plan, leaving their children without adequate health insurance coverage.

(IV)

In order to ensure that children of lower-income state employees have access to affordable and adequate health insurance, it is necessary, appropriate, and in the best interests of the state to encourage lower-income state employees who have dependents other than their spouses to enroll in health insurance plans offered by the state by supplementing the state contribution to their plan premiums in order to reduce the amount of their required employee contributions to plan premiums or to encourage them to enroll in low deductible plans.

(V)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(A)

By using disease management programs to reduce the costs of health care for state employees who are enrolled in state group benefit plans that provide medical benefits, the state can provide the group benefit plans to more state employees for less money and achieve better outcomes.

(B)

National data indicates that the establishment of disease management programs can reduce by fifty percent asthma-related hospital admissions and thereby help the state provide lower cost group benefit plans for all state employees.

(C)

The establishment of a pilot disease management program that includes, but is not limited to, a pilot childhood asthma program will maximize the use of moneys allocated for the purpose of supplementing existing health insurance plans for lower-income state employees.

(b)

The general assembly further finds and declares that the intent of the general assembly in providing supplements as specified in this section, and the expectation of the general assembly with respect to the executive administration of the provision of supplements, is:

(I)

To provide access to affordable and adequate health insurance to as many children of lower-income state employees as possible; and

(II)

Because the high deductibles typical of health insurance plans that offer lower premiums can impair or destroy the economic self-sufficiency of lower-income families when health problems arise, to encourage lower-income state employees with dependents other than their spouses to enroll in higher premium plans with low deductibles.

(2)

As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)

“Eligible state employee” means an employee, as defined in section 24-50-603 (7), who:

(I)

Is eligible, by virtue of his or her state employment, to enroll in a group benefit plan that provides medical or dental benefits;

(II)

Has an annual household income of less than three hundred percent of the federal poverty line; and

(III)

Has at least one dependent other than the employee’s legal spouse.

(b)

“Employee contribution” means the amount contributed by an eligible state employee to pay part of the premium for a qualifying group benefit plan in which the eligible state employee is enrolled.

(c)

“Qualifying group benefit plan” means a group benefit plan that provides medical or dental benefits.

(d)

“State contribution” means the amount contributed by the state to pay part of the premium for a qualifying group benefit plan in which a state employee is enrolled.

(3)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

For the 2008-09 state fiscal year and for each state fiscal year thereafter, the state, after first allocating the interest and income and next allocating the principal of the supplemental state contribution fund created in section 24-50-609 (5) to pay the costs of increased nonsupplemental state contributions, shall expend the available principal of the state supplemental contribution fund to pay a monthly supplement to the state contribution for each eligible state employee who timely applies for the supplement pursuant to subsection (4) of this section and enrolls in a qualifying group benefit plan in order to reduce the eligible state employee’s employee contribution by the amount of the supplement. The amount of the supplement shall be the amount that reduces the aggregate amount of the eligible state employee’s employee contribution for all qualifying group benefit plans to zero; except that, if the available principal of the supplemental state contribution fund is insufficient to provide full supplements for all eligible state employees as specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3):

(I)

The available principal shall first be used to provide each eligible state employee who has an annual household income of less than two hundred percent of the federal poverty line a supplement in an amount equal to the lesser of the equivalent percentage of the applicable employee contribution for each such eligible state employee that uses all of the available principal or the amount needed to reduce the employee contribution of each such eligible state employee for all qualifying group benefit plans to zero.

(II)

Remaining available principal next shall be used to provide each eligible state employee who has an annual household income of two hundred percent or more of the federal poverty line but less than two hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty line a supplement in an amount equal to the lesser of the equivalent percentage of the applicable employee contribution for each such eligible state employee that uses all of the available principal or the amount needed to reduce the employee contribution of each such eligible state employee for all qualifying group benefit plans to zero.

(III)

Remaining available principal last shall be used to provide each eligible state employee who has an annual household income of at least two hundred fifty percent of the federal poverty line a supplement in an amount equal to the lesser of the equivalent percentage of the applicable employee contribution for each such eligible state employee that uses all of the available principal of the fund or the amount needed to reduce the employee contribution of each such eligible state employee for all qualifying group benefit plans to zero.

(b)

All supplements shall be paid from the available principal of the supplemental state contribution fund created in section 24-50-609 (5). The total amount of all supplements paid for any given fiscal year shall be the lesser of the amount of all available principal of the supplemental state contribution fund or the amount of the available principal needed to reduce the employee contribution of each eligible state employee for all qualifying group benefit plans to zero. If an eligible state employee who receives a supplement is enrolled in separate qualifying group benefit plans for medical and dental benefits, the state shall supplement the state contribution to the plan that provides medical benefits until the employee contribution for that plan is reduced to zero before supplementing the state contribution to the plan that provides dental benefits.

(c)

For purposes of this subsection (3):

(I)

“Available principal of the supplemental state contribution fund” or “available principal” means, for any given fiscal year, the sum of the amount of tobacco litigation settlement moneys transferred by the state treasurer to the fund on July 1 of the fiscal year and any other principal of the fund minus the amount of principal allocated during the fiscal year to pay the costs of increased nonsupplemental state contributions pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection (3).

(II)

“Increased nonsupplemental state contributions” means, for any given fiscal year, the aggregate amount of increases in state contributions, excluding supplements, resulting from:

(A)

Enrollment in qualifying group benefit plans of eligible state employees who applied for supplements for the fiscal year and were not enrolled in qualifying group benefit plans during the prior fiscal year; and

(B)

Addition of dependents who were not covered by a qualifying group benefit plan during the prior fiscal year to the qualifying group benefit plans of eligible state employees who applied for supplements during the fiscal year.

(4)

A state employee shall apply to the department of personnel for a supplement. The application shall be on a form prescribed by the director, and the employee shall provide any supporting information that the director may reasonably require to allow the department to verify that the state employee is an eligible state employee. A state employee shall file an application for a supplement annually during the open enrollment period or open enrollment grace period for enrolling in group benefit plans for the next state fiscal year, and, if the applicant is an eligible state employee and enrolls in a qualifying group benefit plan, the applicant shall receive a supplement for the next state fiscal year. A newly hired state employee shall not be eligible for a supplement in the state fiscal year in which he or she is hired, but may apply for a supplement during the open enrollment period or open enrollment grace period for enrolling in group benefit plans for the next state fiscal year.

(5)

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 24-1-136 (11)(a), no later than January 15, 2009, and no later than each succeeding January 15, the department of personnel shall report to the health and human services committees of the house and senate and the joint budget committee of the general assembly or any successor committees regarding the supplemental state contribution program established in this section. The report shall include, at a minimum, information regarding:

(a)

The number of eligible state employees receiving supplements in the current state fiscal year and any prior state fiscal years in which supplements were provided;

(b)

The total amount of supplements that have been or will be paid in the current state fiscal year and that were paid in any prior state fiscal years in which supplements were provided;

(c)

The average monthly and yearly amounts of the individual supplements provided for the current state fiscal year and for any prior state fiscal years in which supplements were provided;

(d)

The number of dependent children of eligible state employees receiving supplements covered by a qualifying group benefit plan during the current state fiscal year and for any prior state fiscal years in which supplements were provided; and

(e)

The amount of increased nonsupplemental state contributions, as defined in subparagraph (II) of paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of this section, for the current state fiscal year and for any prior state fiscal years in which supplements were provided.

Source: Section 24-50-609.5 — Supplemental state contribution for eligible state employees - legislative declaration - definitions, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-24.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

24‑50‑101
Short title - legislative declaration - terminology 24‑50‑102
Department of personnel - state personnel director 24‑50‑103
State personnel board 24‑50‑103.5
Department of personnel - review 24‑50‑104
Job evaluation and compensation - state employee reserve fund - created - study - report - definitions - repeal 24‑50‑104.5
Compliance with federal laws 24‑50‑109.5
Fiscal emergencies - emergency orders 24‑50‑110
Budget control - personal services 24‑50‑112.5
Selection system - definitions - rules - report - repeal 24‑50‑114
Temporary appointments - term - tenure 24‑50‑116
Standards of performance and conduct 24‑50‑117
Prohibited activities of employees 24‑50‑122
Opportunities for training - professional development center cash fund - creation - rules 24‑50‑123
Grievances - review 24‑50‑124
Reduction of employees - definition 24‑50‑125
Disciplinary proceedings - appeals - hearings - procedure - definitions 24‑50‑125.3
Discrimination appeals 24‑50‑125.4
Hearings 24‑50‑125.5
Recovery for improper personnel action 24‑50‑126
Resignation - procedure and effect 24‑50‑127
Employee records - release of location information concerning individuals with outstanding felony arrest warrants - state personnel director’s duties 24‑50‑128
Certification required before salary paid 24‑50‑129
Appointing authority’s salary liability 24‑50‑130
Form of records and reports 24‑50‑131
Subpoena powers 24‑50‑132
Political considerations and prohibited activities 24‑50‑133
Subversive acts - disqualification 24‑50‑134
Moving and relocation expenses 24‑50‑135
Exemptions from personnel system 24‑50‑136
Persons brought into the personnel system 24‑50‑137
Persons holding exempted positions 24‑50‑138
Effect of transfer of powers, duties, and functions 24‑50‑140
Reports on other employment systems 24‑50‑141
Rules and regulations - limitations - affirmative action corrective remedies - implementation 24‑50‑142
Repayment of debts to state-supported institutions of higher education by state employees 24‑50‑145
Agency-based human resource innovation and management processes - legislative declaration - definitions - guidelines and goals 24‑50‑146
Colorado statewide equity office - legislative declaration 24‑50‑201
Legislative declaration 24‑50‑203
Preretirement education and counseling 24‑50‑206
Cooperation of public employees’ retirement association 24‑50‑208
Voluntary separation incentive program 24‑50‑301
Status while in military service 24‑50‑302
Rights 24‑50‑303
No compensation - rights of National Guard 24‑50‑304
Applicability 24‑50‑401
Office hours of state offices 24‑50‑402
Appointment by outgoing officers prohibited 24‑50‑501
Legislative declaration 24‑50‑502
Definitions 24‑50‑503
Personal services contracts implicating state personnel system - no separation of existing classified employees 24‑50‑504
Personal services contracts not implicating state personnel system 24‑50‑505
Liability and immunity 24‑50‑506
Applicability of other laws 24‑50‑507
Conflict of interest 24‑50‑508
Intergovernmental agreements - agreements by state institutions of higher education - excluded 24‑50‑509
Review of individual contracts by state personnel director - when not required 24‑50‑511
State personnel director procedures 24‑50‑512
State personnel board rules 24‑50‑513
Contracts of six months or less - permitted 24‑50‑601
Short title 24‑50‑602
Legislative declaration 24‑50‑603
Definitions 24‑50‑604
Powers and duties of the director 24‑50‑605
Group benefit plans - specifications - contracts 24‑50‑607
Employees - eligibility - election of coverage 24‑50‑608
Dependents - eligibility - election of coverage 24‑50‑609
State contributions - supplemental state contribution fund - creation 24‑50‑609.5
Supplemental state contribution for eligible state employees - legislative declaration - definitions 24‑50‑610
Payroll deductions - employees 24‑50‑611
Employer payments 24‑50‑612
Administrative duties 24‑50‑613
Group benefit plans reserve fund 24‑50‑614
State payments - authority of controller 24‑50‑615
Continuation of previously existing benefits for persons absorbed by the state personnel system 24‑50‑618
Group benefit plans - institutions of higher education 24‑50‑619
Continuation of dental or medical benefits - dependents of state employee - work-related death - definitions 24‑50‑620
Targets for investment in primary care 24‑50‑801
Legislative declaration 24‑50‑802
Definitions 24‑50‑804
Development of recommendations for an employee incentive program 24‑50‑805
Institutions of higher education - alternative employee incentive programs 24‑50‑901
Legislative declaration 24‑50‑902
Definitions 24‑50‑903
State employee idea application 24‑50‑1001
Definitions 24‑50‑1002
State agencies with access to federal tax information - authorization for background checks - procedure - costs 24‑50‑1003
County departments with access to federal tax information - authorization for background checks - procedure - costs 24‑50‑1004
State agencies sharing federal tax information with other state agencies 24‑50‑1101
Short title 24‑50‑1102
Definitions 24‑50‑1103
Duties and responsibilities of the division - rules 24‑50‑1104
Duties and responsibilities of the director - rules 24‑50‑1105
Partnership units 24‑50‑1106
Covered employees’ choice of certified employee organization - rules 24‑50‑1107
Rights of covered employees 24‑50‑1108
Rights of certified employee organizations 24‑50‑1109
Duties of the certified employee organization 24‑50‑1110
Executive and management rights 24‑50‑1111
Duties of the state 24‑50‑1112
Partnership agreements 24‑50‑1113
Dispute resolution 24‑50‑1114
Maintenance of the partnership relationship 24‑50‑1115
Judicial review 24‑50‑1116
Construction of other laws 24‑50‑1117
Implementation and administration - costs 24‑50‑1201
Short title 24‑50‑1202
Legislative declaration - intent 24‑50‑1203
Definitions 24‑50‑1204
Competitive pharmacy benefit manager - contract - requirements
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 24-50-609.5’s source at colorado​.gov