Group Insurance Commission

Group Insurance Commission.

1108-5100

For the administration of the group insurance commission; provided, that said commission shall generate the maximum amounts allowable under the federal Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, as amended, and from reimbursements allowed by sections 8, 10B, 10C and 12 of chapter 32A of the General Laws

......................................................$2,001,024

1108-5200

For the commonwealth's share of the group insurance premium and plan costs incurred in fiscal year 1998; provided, that not more than $300,000 shall be obligated for the evaluation and audit of said premium and plan costs; provided further, that not more than $300,000 shall be obligated for the evaluation and negotiation of premium rates which may include rates for health benefit plans, prescription drug plans and long-term disability plans; provided further, that not more than $150,000 shall be obligated for claims utilization analysis; provided further, that the secretary of administration and finance shall charge the department of employment and training and other departments, authorities, agencies and divisions which have federal or other funds allocated to them for this purpose for that portion of insurance premiums and plan costs as he determines should be borne by such funds, and shall notify the comptroller of the amounts to be transferred, after similar determination, from the several state or other funds, and amounts received in payment of all such charges or such transfers shall be credited to the General Fund; provided further, that prior year costs incurred by the state indemnity health insurance plan and the preferred provider organization shall be funded from this item; provided further, that the group insurance commission shall report quarterly to the house and senate committees on ways and means the amounts expended from this item for said prior year costs; provided further, that the group insurance commission shall obtain reimbursement for premium and administrative expenses from other agencies and authorities not funded by state appropriation; provided further, that the secretary of administration and finance is authorized and directed to charge all agencies for the commonwealth's share of the health insurance costs incurred on behalf of any employees of those agencies who are on leave of absence for a period of more than one year; provided further, that the amounts received in payment for said charges shall be credited to the General Fund; provided further, that, notwithstanding the provisions of section 26 of chapter 29 of the General Laws, the commission is hereby authorized to negotiate, purchase and execute contracts prior to July 1 of each year for policies of group insurance as authorized by chapter 32A of the General Laws; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 150E of the General Laws and as provided in section 8 of said chapter 32A and for the purposes of section 14 of said chapter 32A, the commonwealth's share of the group insurance premium for state employees who have retired prior to July 1, 1994 shall be 90 per cent and the commonwealth's share of the group insurance premium for state employees who have retired on or after July 1, 1994 shall be 85 per cent; provided further, that the commission shall provide the number of retirees for whom the commonwealth pays said 85 per cent to the house and senate committees on ways and means by February 1 of each year; provided further, that the commonwealth's share of such premiums for active state employees shall be 85 per cent of said premiums and rates; provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 150E of the General Laws, employees of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and of regional transit authorities shall continue to pay the same per centage, if any, of the health insurance premium that they paid on June 1, 1994; provided further, that active employees of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and of regional transit authorities shall pay 15 per cent of such premiums and rates; and provided further, that the commission shall notify the house and senate committees on ways and means by March 15 of each year of the cost of the commonwealth's projected share of group insurance premiums for the next fiscal year

......................................................$501,680,309

1108-5350

For elderly governmental retired employee premium payments

......................................................$1,850,190

1108-5400

For the costs of the retired municipal teachers' premiums and the audit of said premiums

......................................................$23,123,624

Local Aid Fund .................. 100.0%

1108-5500

For the costs, notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 32A of the General Laws to the contrary, of dental and vision benefits for those active employees of the commonwealth, not including employees of authorities and any other political subdivision, who are not otherwise provided such benefits pursuant to a separate appropriation or the provisions of a contract or collective bargaining agreement; provided, that said employees shall pay at least 15 per cent of the monthly premium established by the commission for such benefits

......................................................$3,351,860