(A) The department of administrative services, in consultation with the superintendent of insurance and subject to division (D) of this section, may negotiate and contract with one or more insurance companies or health insuring corporations authorized to operate or do business in this state for the purchase of a policy of long-term care insurance covering all state employees who are paid directly by warrant of the director of budget and management, including elected state officials. Any policy purchased under this division shall be negotiated and entered into in accordance with the competitive selection procedures specified in Chapter 125. of the Revised Code. As used in this section, "long-term care insurance" has the same meaning as in section 3923.41 of the Revised Code.

(B) Any elected state official or state employee paid directly by warrant of the director of budget and management may elect to participate in any long-term care insurance policy purchased under division (A) of this section. All or any portion of the premium charged may be paid by the state. Participation in the policy may include the dependents and family members of the elected state official or state employee.

If a participant in a long-term care insurance policy leaves employment, the participant and the participant's dependents and family members may, at their election, continue to participate in a policy established under this section. The manner of payment and the portion of premium charged the participant, dependent, and family member shall be established pursuant to division (E) of this section.

(C) Any long-term care insurance policy purchased under this section or section 124.841 or 145.581 of the Revised Code shall provide for all of the following with respect to the premiums charged for the policy:

(1) They shall be set at the entry age of the official or employee when first covered by the policy and shall not increase except as a class during coverage under the policy.

(2) They shall be based on the class of all officials or employees covered by the policy.

(3) They shall continue, pursuant to section 145.581 of the Revised Code, after the retirement of the official or employee who is covered under the policy, at the rate in effect on the date of the official's or employee's retirement.

(D) Prior to entering into a contract with an insurance company or health insuring corporation for the purchase of a long-term care insurance policy under this section, the department shall request the superintendent of insurance to certify the financial condition of the company or corporation. The department shall not enter into the contract if, according to that certification, the company or corporation is insolvent, is determined by the superintendent to be potentially unable to fulfill its contractual obligations, or is placed under an order of rehabilitation or conservation by a court of competent jurisdiction or under an order of supervision by the superintendent.

(E) The department shall adopt rules in accordance with section 111.15 of the Revised Code governing long-term care insurance purchased under this section. All or any portion of the premium charged the participants, dependents, and family members shall be paid in such manner or combination of manners as the department determines.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Effective Date: 06-04-1997; 08-31-2004; 12-01-2006