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Board declines further action now on reimbursing duty-disability health premiums
Summary
Staff outlined options to reimburse duty-disability medical premiums (to align duty disability with catastrophic disability treatment), but after discussion the board voted to take no further action at this time.
At the Nov. 19 meeting Jacob White presented a follow-up on duty-disability health insurance coverage. He explained that members who separate on duty disability currently have return rights and are eligible for temporary medical coverage (often via COBRA) but do not receive LEOFF2 premium reimbursement as part of duty disability.
White noted the policy option for the board: reimburse duty-disability health insurance premiums to align duty-disability retirees with catastrophic-disability retirees who do receive premium reimbursement in certain circumstances. He said the pros are clearer coverage for injured members; the cons include an increased cost to the plan and that duty disability was often designed for members able to work in other jobs that offer employer-provided insurance.
After discussion, a motion for "no further action" at this time was moved and seconded and carried. Staff will not pursue a policy change immediately but remains available to provide further analysis if the board requests it later.
