Question:  What must a public entity know about joining the State Health, Life and/or Income Continuation Group Insurance Programs?

Answer:

To participate in any of the Insurance Programs, an employer must adopt a resolution. All resolutions must be certified and filed by the agent responsible for reporting to Employee Trust Funds (ETF). Each insurance program has specific requirements. Some require participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) and there are various effective dates specific to each program.

For any of the insurance programs, an employer may specify a later effective date, providing it falls on the first of the month. To obtain information about how to participate in the Health, Life, or Income Continuation Insurance Programs, call the Employer Communication Center at (608) 264-7900. A summary of the programs follows.

Health

To be eligible to join the Health Insurance Program, an employer must already participate in the WRS. A resolution for Health Insurance becomes effective the first of the fourth month following receipt of the resolution by ETF.

Life

Employers may join the Life Insurance Program if they participate in either the WRS or a Private Pension Program. There are four plans which employers may offer for employees. The Basic Life Insurance plan is a prerequisite for the other three Life Insurance Plans: Supplemental, Additional and Spouse and Dependent Plans. There is one Resolution form with separate entries for each of the four Group Life Insurance plans. Each Plan becomes effective the first of the fourth month following receipt of the Resolution form by ETF.

Income Continuation Insurance

To be eligible to join the Income Continuation Insurance Program or ICI, an employer must already participate in the WRS. The resolution for ICI becomes effective the first of the month on or after 90 days following receipt by ETF.