9-3-218. Retiree membership in plan.

(a) A retiree is eligible for coverage under the group insurance plan at premium rates established by the department, provided:

(i) Application to continue coverage is made to the department within thirty-one (31) days after termination of the retiree's employment;

(ii) The retiree has had medical coverage in effect under the group insurance plan for at least one (1) year immediately prior to the date of retirement and is eligible to receive a retirement benefit under the Wyoming retirement system; and either:

(A) Has attained the age of fifty (50) on the date of retirement and has at least four (4) years of service credit under the Wyoming retirement system as an employee of one (1) of the employing entities participating in the plan; or

(B) Has at least twenty (20) years of service credit under the Wyoming retirement system as an employee of one (1) of the employing entities participating in the plan.

(b) Within the application period provided under paragraph (a)(i) of this section, the retiree may elect to continue coverage of his eligible dependents under the group insurance plan provided each such dependent was covered under the group insurance plan for at least one (1) year immediately prior to the retiree's date of retirement. An election to add dependents may not be made after the initial application period unless the increase in the number of dependents results from a subsequent marriage, birth or adoption in which case the dependents may be enrolled at a later date upon conditions the department may impose.

(c) The department shall establish procedures by which the eligible retiree shall make application within the thirty-one (31) day period provided under paragraph (a)(i) of this section.