RMT Program for Municipal Health Insurance with the GIC

Not all municipalities participate in these programs, but for those that do, the GIC already administers health, life (RMT only), and dental benefits for certain retirees and survivors. If and when Municipal Employers with RMTs transfer to GIC, some special provisions apply.

Coverage Offered for Municipal Health Insurance

The types of plans the GIC currently offers employees, non-Medicare retirees and survivors, and Medicare eligible retirees

There are five types of plans: HMO, PPO, PPO-type, POS and Indemnity. The current plan options are outlined in the latest GIC Benefit Guides.

Please note that the GIC must conduct a new health plan procurement every five years; current plans could change or end at that time; new plans may also be added.

Municipal Employers’ subscribers are not eligible for other GIC benefits

Sections 19 and 23 address only health coverage. Other non-health benefits currently provided by Municipal Employers will continue to be their responsibility.

Since non-union charter schools and education collaborative subscribers join GIC health coverage through chapter 32A, not Chapter 32B, Section 19 or 23, they are eligible for other GIC benefits

Certain local or regional entities – Commonwealth charter schools and non-union education collaboratives, regional planning agencies and regional councils of government may join the GIC by adopting chapter 32A.  Entities that join GIC coverage through chapter 32A are eligible to receive other GIC state employee and retiree benefits.

Contribution Ratios for Retried Municipal Teachers (RMTs)

The contribution ratios that apply to RMTs after a municipality joins the GIC

Premium contribution ratios for those who transfer from the GIC’s RMT coverage to its Municipal Employer health coverage under Section 19 may not be more than 25% of premium, however the agreement to join the GIC may provide for payment  of less than 25%. This limitation is an exception to the general rule under Section 19 that contribution ratios may differ only by type of plan (i.e., HMO, PPO, Indemnity; Medicare or non-Medicare).

Under Section 23, the maximum health premium contribution for those who transfer from the GIC’s RMT coverage to the GIC’s Municipal Employer health coverage can be no more than 25% (and may be less than 25%).  As with all retirees, survivors, and their dependents under Section 23, RMTs’ contribution ratios generally may not be increased prior to July 1, 2014, with limited exceptions.

If you decide to leave GIC health coverage after joining it, your Retired Municipal Teachers may not return to the GIC’s RMT coverage

According to the law, they cannot transfer back to the RMT program when their Municipal Employer withdraws from GIC coverage. However, the former RMTs health premium contributions may not exceed 25%.