KRS 18A.227: Flexible benefits plan for employees and retirees.

(1) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:

(a) "Cafeteria plan" shall mean a flexible benefits plan which meets the

requirements of Section 125 of the Federal Internal Revenue Code;

(b) "Employee" shall mean a person, including an elected public official, who is

regularly employed by any department, board, agency, or branch of state

government, and who is a contributing member to any one (1) of the

retirement systems administered by the state;

(c) "Cabinet" shall mean the Personnel Cabinet;

(d) "Change in family status" shall have the same meaning as used in Section 125

of the Internal Revenue Code and regulations promulgated thereunder; and

(e) "Salary reduction contribution" means all employer contributions that are

excludable from gross income under the Internal Revenue Code.

(2) As part of the employee benefits provided to state employees under this chapter, the

cabinet may develop and make available to eligible employees a flexible benefits

plan which meets the requirements for treatment as a cafeteria plan under Section

125 of the Internal Revenue Code. The plan shall be in writing and shall be

available on an equal basis to all eligible employees within each county.

(3) Options available under the plan may include, but are not limited to:

(a) Health insurance coverage;

(b) Managed health care coverage;

(c) Catastrophic illness coverage;

(d) Dental insurance;

(e) Term life insurance-accidental, death, or dismemberment;

(f) Vision insurance;

(g) Long term disability insurance;

(h) Long term medical care; and

(i) Any other benefits which may be offered under the provisions of the Internal

Revenue Code and which the cabinet determines to be in the best interests of

state employees.

(4) Any employee who desires to participate in optio ns offered under the plan, may

direct that any options elected shall be funded through payroll deduction. Once an

option is chosen, it shall not be changed until the end of the period for which

election is made unless the employee experiences a change in f amily status, other

change of status, or special enrollment rights under the Federal Health Insurance

Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 which necessitates a revision of his

benefit election.

(5) Any employee contributions required toward the purch ase of the selected options

shall be made by a salary reduction contribution, to the extent the benefits would be

considered to be tax -free under Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code, and by

after-tax salary deduction where the elected option is not tax-free.