Sheriff asks commission to clear policy so new hires can keep COBRA while onboarded

The Hancock County sheriff asked commissioners Aug. 18 for conceptual approval to cover a departing employee's COBRA share for newly hired deputies who cannot immediately access the county plan. The sheriff said the intent is not to spend more than the county normally would for a new hire but to pay up to the county's standard employer portion while the employee remains on COBRA from a prior employer.

"If they were coming from another employer, for example, eligible for Cobra coverage ... the county would be willing to fund up to the amount that they otherwise would for a new employee for health insurance program," the sheriff said, explaining the proposed bridge would be time-limited and should not exceed the county's normal costs. Commissioners asked how the arrangement would interact with the union contract and whether a side letter or memorandum of understanding would be required.

Commissioners requested the sheriff draft a written policy that spells out proof-of-enrollment requirements, the exact dollar limits to be paid, treatment of employee contribution and parity with the county's existing buyout programs. The sheriff said he would meet with the union and return with a memorandum of understanding or policy language for formal consideration.