60P-3.015. Employees Not on Payroll

(1) For employees not on payroll, premiums shall be paid in monthly amounts by personal check or money order during the period the employee is not on the payroll. An employee who is not on the payroll for an entire payroll period, whether paid biweekly or monthly, should have the total monthly premium for that month paid by either payroll deduction, or by personal check or money order. The employing agency shall be responsible for receiving premiums and forwarding them to the Department pursuant to Rule 60P-3.009, F.A.C.

(2) Leave without pay. An employee on approved leave without pay shall be eligible to continue coverage while on such leave provided the employee pays the full premium. An employee who does not continue coverage while on approved leave without pay may only apply for reenrollment in the Life Plan after return to work and submitting an application in accordance with subsection 60P-3.005(2), F.A.C., to their personnel office within thirty-one (31) calendar days after return to work or during the open enrollment period.

(3) Suspension. A suspended employee may continue coverage during the period of suspension by paying the full premium. An employee on suspension who does not continue insurance coverage may only apply for reenrollment in the Life Plan after return to work and submitting an application in accordance with Rule 60P-3.005, F.A.C., during the thirty-one (31) calendar day period after return to work or during the open enrollment period. If an employee successfully appeals a suspension and receives full back pay, the employee is then entitled to the state contribution during the time of the suspension, provided he or she was receiving the state contributions prior to the suspension.

(4) An employee on approved leave without pay or suspension as described in this section who does not pay premiums to continue coverage during such leave or suspension because of circumstances subsequently deemed “extreme hardship” by the Department, may apply for reinstatement of coverage within thirty-one (31) calendar days after return to active work by making a request to the Department and agreeing to pay all back premiums. Such requests must be in writing and submitted through the employee’s agency. The employee must demonstrate by clear and convincing evidence that the existence of a severe financial hardship resulting from the loss of income or a sudden or unexpected illness or accident to the employee or dependent. If the Department approves the employee’s request, reinstatement will occur upon the Department’s receipt of a personal check or money order for the premiums for the period not on payroll.

(5) Layoff. An employee who is laid off in accordance with a plan approved by the Department shall be eligible to continue coverage while laid off not to exceed two (2) years from the date of layoff, provided the employee pays the appropriate employee contribution. An employee who does not continue coverage during such two year period, may only apply for reenrollment in the Life Plan after return to work and by submitting an application in accordance with subsection 60P-3.005(2), F.A.C., within thirty-one (31) days of returning to work or during the open enrollment period.

(6) Workers’ Compensation disability leave. An employee who is on Workers’ Compensation disability leave is eligible to continue in the Life Plan and shall be entitled to the state contribution during such leave. The employee shall pay the employee contribution by personal check or money order and submit it to the agency on a month-to-month basis during the period the employee is not on the payroll. The agency shall be responsible for forwarding such checks or money orders to the Department within five (5) business days. An employee who does not continue coverage under the Life Plan while on Workers’ Compensation disability leave may only reenroll in the Life Plan during the open enrollment period after returning to work.

(7) Less than year round employment.

(a) An employee on an academic contract, or if regularly employed for less than twelve (12) months, has worked at least eight (8) months during the prior consecutive twelve (12) month period, is eligible to continue in the Life Plan and receive the state contribution for a period not to exceed four (4) months while such employee is off the payroll.

(b) Employee contributions for such employees must be paid by advance payroll deductions, by collecting a single personal check or money order for the employee contribution for the entire period the employees will not be on the payroll or on a month-to-month basis.

(8) Military leave. An insured employee granted military leave as defined under Personnel Chapter 60K-5, F.A.C., shall be eligible to continue coverage while on such leave, provided the employee pays the full premium. Premiums shall be submitted to the agency for transmittal to the Department. If the employee does not continue coverage while on military leave, the employee may apply for reenrollment in the Plan within thirty-one (31) calendar days after reemployment by the State.

Specific Authority 110.123(5) FS. Law Implemented 110.123 FS. History–New 8-12-80, Formerly 22K-1.54, 22K-1.054, 22K-1.312, Amended 8-26-96, Repromulgated 1-31-02.