§ 306-37. Health Care Benefits.

(a)

The city manager may enter into agreements pursuant to negotiations or competitive bidding for the purpose of providing health care benefits coverage for periods not to exceed five years.

(b)

Health care benefits shall be provided for employees upon the date of hire for employees in the employment classifications under Divisions 0, 5, 7, 8, and 9 of Chapter 307 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code, and upon completion of six months' calendar service for employees under Divisions 1 and 2 of Chapter 307 of the Municipal Code, as follows:

(1)

For active full-time and three-quarter-time city employees represented under a collective bargaining agreement with the city: As provided by such agreement.

(2)

For active full-time and three-quarter-time city employees in the employment classification under Divisions 0, 5, 7, 8, and 9 of Chapter 307 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code: Hospitalization, surgical, medical, dental and vision coverage as determined by the city manager.

(3)

For active retired employees of the city retirement system, surviving spouses, dependent children and orphans receiving survivor's benefits: Hospitalization, surgical and medical coverage pursuant to Section 203-43 of the Cincinnati Municipal Code.

(4)

For members of city council and the mayor: Hospitalization, surgical and medical coverage: At the election of the member or mayor, provided that the cost of the coverage in excess of that permitted by the charter shall be paid by the member of council or mayor.

(c)

Hospitalization, surgical and medical coverage may be provided through a health maintenance organization at the election of any person eligible for such coverage provided that any difference in cost shall be paid by the person receiving such benefits.

(d)

The director of finance is authorized to deduct from the salary or wages of any city employee, member of council, and mayor such amount as may be authorized by such employee, member of council, or mayor in order to enable the director to pay the remaining or entire cost of such coverage in accordance with paragraph (b) above.

(e)

For purpose of this section, "cost of coverage" shall mean the cost of claims, administrative services and insurance premiums. The director of finance shall annually determine the cost of coverage per employee, council member, or mayor for purposes of computing payroll deductions.

(f)

The city manager may authorize the extension of temporary health care benefits not inconsistent with the provisions of this section for part-time employees if in the judgment of the city manager such coverage is desirable and necessary for the efficient administration of services.

(Sec. 306-37; ordained by Ord. No. 331-1967, eff. Sept. 7, 1967; a. Ord. No. 79-1971, eff. Mar. 10, 1971; renumbered to C.M.C. 306-37, eff. Jan. 1, 1972; a. Ord. No. 103-1972, eff. Jan 1, 1972; a. Ord. No. 243-1972, eff. July 7, 1972; a. Ord. No. 278-1974, eff. June 19, 1974; a. Ord. No. 337-1979, eff. Aug. 1, 1979; a. Ord. No. 502-1980, eff. Dec. 17, 1980; a. Ord. No. 92-1983, eff. Mar. 9, 1983; a. Ord. No. 30-1985, eff. Jan. 16, 1985; a. Ord. No. 290-1990, eff. July 5, 1990; a. Ord. No. 341-1992, passed Aug. 5, 1992; a. Ord. No. 434-1998, eff. Dec. 2, 1998; a. Ord. No. 472-1999, eff. Dec. 8, 1999; Emer. Ord. No. 486-2012, § 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013)