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Ellis County adopts written retiree health-insurance policy required by state statute
Summary
The commission added a new personnel policy section (8.8) describing eligibility and terms for retiree health insurance; the policy codifies existing practice that retirees pay 100% of premiums and allows the county to terminate coverage for nonpayment. The commission voted the change into effect immediately, 3-0.
ELLIS COUNTY — The Ellis County Commission on Sept. 9 approved an addition to the county personnel policy that sets written rules for retiree health insurance. County Administrator Darren Myers told the commission that Kansas statute requires a written policy and that the change formalizes existing practices; the motion passed 3-0 and the policy is effective immediately.
Myers said the county lacked a documented policy detailing who is eligible for retiree health insurance, how long retirees may receive coverage and who pays premiums. "Kansas statute actually requires that we do have a policy on it," Myers told the commission. The adopted section clarifies eligibility (service and retirement criteria), states that retirees are responsible for 100 percent of their premiums, and grants the county authority to terminate coverage for nonpayment so the liability does not fall to the general tax base.
Commissioners described the action as codifying practices already in use and said the change has no immediate financial impact because it documents current procedures. The commission recorded the vote as "passes 3-0" and staff said the policy would be uploaded to the county's HR systems and posted online.
The policy addition takes effect immediately and will be included in the county's personnel manual and HR platform (UKG).
