TO EXPAND HEALTH BENEFIT COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN FIREFIGHTER RETIREES OF MUNICIPALITIES AND COUNTIES.

Firefighter retirees gain coverage with enrollment limits

Arkansas expands access to local health plans for eligible firefighter retirees and sets shared rules for eligible police retirees. Coverage is through plans offered by counties or municipalities, including cities and incorporated towns—not a new state plan. Firefighters must do active firefighting work as full-time or part-time paid members and earn more than $5,000 during the taxable year. They must qualify for full retirement benefits through the Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System, a municipal or county retirement plan, a local firemen’s pension fund, or the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System. Both police and firefighter retirees must meet one service threshold: 28 credited years at any age; age 55 with 20 credited years; age 60 with 5 credited years; or age 60 with 10 years of actual Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System service credit. Retirees must not be eligible for Medicare, and their coverage ends when they become eligible. They must enroll during the guaranteed-issue period of 60 calendar days after retirement; declining or missing that window ends further enrollment rights. Retirees pay the locally set premium or policy cost, with their share collected by monthly bank draft on a locally chosen date. No enrollment surcharge or assessment is allowed. Eligible spouses and natural, step, or adopted children can participate, with coverage continuing for the same family members. If a covered retiree dies, covered dependents can continue; children’s coverage ends at marriage or the plan’s maximum dependent age. Surviving spouses can continue coverage under the plan’s rules, but spouses or dependents who decline or cancel lose further coverage rights.