40.513 Payment of stipend in lieu of health care coverage for state employees.

(1) Subject to sub. (3), a state employee who is eligible to receive health care coverage under s. 40.51 (6) may elect not to receive that coverage and instead be paid an annual stipend equal to $2,000 if all of the following occur:

(a) The employee is eligible for an employer contribution under s. 40.05 (4) (ag).

(b) The employee makes the election on a form provided by the department.

(c) The employee makes the election within 30 days of being hired or during any applicable enrollment period established by the department. If the employee makes the election within 30 days of being hired, the employee may not receive health care coverage under s. 40.51 (6) during the calendar year in which the election is made. If the employee makes the election during any annual applicable enrollment period established by the department, the employee may not receive health care coverage under s. 40.51 (6) during the succeeding calendar year.

(2) A stipend paid to an employee under sub. (1) shall be paid from the appropriation account that would otherwise have been used to pay the employer contribution toward premium payments under s. 40.05 (4) (ag) for that employee. If an employee makes the election within 30 days of being hired, the employer shall prorate the $2,000 stipend according to the remaining number of months in the calendar year in which the election is made.

(3) A state employee may not be paid an annual stipend under sub. (1) if any of the following occurs:

(a) The employee was eligible for an employer contribution under s. 40.05 (4) (ag) during the 2015 calendar year and elected not to receive health care coverage in that calendar year.

(b) The employee's spouse is receiving health care coverage under s. 40.51 (6).

History: 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59.