1VAC55-20-260: Minimum local employer contributions

A. The department shall require, as a condition of local employer participation in the health benefits program, that a local employer pay a minimum portion of the plan contribution attributable to an active local employee's coverage. Contributions toward the cost of retiree coverage are permitted but not required. Unless otherwise specified in a local employer's adoption agreement, participating local employers shall contribute, at a minimum, 80% of the cost of single coverage, and 20% of the cost of dependent coverage as a condition of participation. In the event that an employer enrolls 75% or more of all eligible employees, the employer will not be required to contribute the above amounts towards the cost of dependent coverage.

B. Local employers allowing part-time employees to participate in the program must contribute a minimum of 50% of the amount they contribute toward active employee coverage (at all membership levels) on behalf of their participating part-time employees.

For purposes of this section, amounts contributed on behalf of an employee who has requested a reduction in salary pursuant to a plan qualified under § 125 of the Internal Revenue Code (Tax Treatment of Cafeteria Plans) will not be counted as an employer contribution.