Code of Maine Rules
94 - INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
411 - MAINE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM (MAINEPERS)
Chapter 601 - GROUP LIFE INSURANCE
Section 411-601-3 - COVERAGE ELIGIBILITY

A. State Employees

Permanent, Full Time

Permanent, Part Time of at least 20 hours or 2 1/2 normal working days per week

Seasonal, Full Time

Seasonal, Part Time of at least 20 hours or 2 1/2 normal working days per week

Elected and Appointed Officials

Limited Period - Full Time for one year or more

Limited Period - Part Time for one year or more

Acting Capacity (with status)

B. Legislators

C. Judges and Justices

D. Participating Local District Employees

Permanent, Full Time

Permanent, Part Time of at least 20 hours or 2 1/2 normal working days per week

Seasonal, Full Time

Elected and Appointed Officials

Any local district that becomes a Participating Local District in accordance with the provisions of 20-A M.R.S.A. §1463, sub-§ 4 may establish criteria for the inclusion of employees from within the classes listed above, based on the nature and type of employment, in order to provide for the continuation of group life insurance coverage for transferred employees. No employee or class of employees may be excluded solely on the basis of the hazardous nature of employment; nor may the employer use this section to decrease coverage of current participants.

E. Teachers

Permanent, Full Time

Permanent, Part Time of at least 20 hours per week or 2 1/2 normal working days per week

Any individual employed in one of the classes listed above and who meets the definition of "teacher" as provide by 5 M.R.S.A. §17001, sub-§42 is eligible for insurance coverage under this paragraph.

A. In order for insurance coverage to become effective, an application for insurance coverage indicating the types of coverage elected must be completed within 31 days of becoming eligible for coverage.

B. Evidence of insurability will be required if coverage is not elected when first eligible.

C. Except as provided in paragraph D, an employee shall cease to be eligible to participate upon being placed on lay-off.

D. Coverage will continue only if premiums are timely paid by the employee on a current basis as they become due and payable while an employee is on seasonal lay-off, or leave of absence without pay for:

D-1. Commencing January 1, 2020, premiums in the case of an employee on lay-off or a leave of absence without pay are due within 60 days after returning to paid status. If the employee dies before the end of the 60-day period, any premiums due shall be recovered from any benefit payments.

E. An employee who has refused or is denied insurance coverage, who separates from employment and is subsequently re-employed is eligible as though this were initial employment and is not required to file evidence of insurability if the separation meets the requirements to permit the individual to obtain a refund of employee Maine Public Employees Retirement System retirement contributions. Layoff from seasonal employment to which the employee is expected to return shall not be considered as a separation and a reemployment.

F. A retiree who returns to work in an eligible position is eligible for coverage.