cancer insurance; public safety; retirees

Retirees can keep cancer coverage

Starting January 1, 2026, eligible public safety retirees receiving benefits before retirement remain eligible for cancer coverage. A person first diagnosed after retirement must receive the diagnosis within a period equal to five months for each year of credited service or defined-contribution-plan service, plus time in the applicable deferred retirement option plan. When regular eligibility is ending, a person can continue coverage by paying a premium equal to the employer’s payment for each employee. Eligible people who received no covered benefits under subsection 38-644(C) can instead elect coverage with an actuarially set yearly premium deducted from their pension; for this transition election, they must elect by January 1, 2027. They can request a refund within 180 days after paying, but then lose eligibility; the board cannot count funds unrelated to eligible people when setting the premium.