ARTICLE 44 MEDICAL/DENTAL COVERAGE FOR RETIREES

Johnston School Department

Section 1.

The Johnston School Committee shall provide continued full Family or Individual Medical and Dental benefits for every member of the bargaining unit upon retirement, provided they:

a) receive retirement benefits under Chapter 16 of the General Laws of the State of Rhode Island,; and

b) shall have served at least twenty (20) years in the Johnston Public Schools at the time of retirement.

Section 2.

Coverage shall not be less than that received by said retiree at the time of retirement.

Section 3.

Coverage shall continue in full force until the retiree reaches his/her sixty-fifth (65) birthday.

Section 4.

Following the retiree's sixty-fifth (65) birthday, the School Committee shall provide the following medical coverage for the retirees only, for the remainder of his/her life:

a) Plan 65 b) Major Medical, $50 deductible c) 365-day coverage

Retirees and/or spouses who reach age 65 shall enroll in Medicare. The Johnston School Committee shall continue to provide the Medicare supplemental healthcare benefit level, service level and network level as currently provided at no additional cost to the retiree, no deductible and no co-share except as provided for in Section 6. The Johnston School Committee shall continue to pay any costs to the retiree associated with supplemental Medicare healthcare, including prescription drugs, and any penalties, interest or enrollment fees. Non Medicare-eligible retirees, spouses and dependents' coverage shall continue as provided herein. Teachers are not prohibited from carrying a spouse who is age 65 or older on the High Deductible/RSA family healthcare plan offered by the Johnston School Department.

Section 5.

Beginning on September I, 1997, the Johnston School Committee shall only be responsible for providing members with Individual Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Delta Dental coverage. Members may purchase the difference between Individual and Family health coverage after September I, 1997.

Section 6.

Effective after August 31, 2024 all future retirees shall pay a biannual co-share of $350 ($700 per year) for the Medicare Supplemental Plan.