9-3-209. Dependents; election of coverage; later election; change in number of dependents; extended coverage.

(a) Any eligible employee or official may elect to have his dependents covered by the group insurance plan. The election shall be made at the time the employee or official becomes enrolled in the plan, under procedures the department may establish. If dependent coverage is not elected at the time that an employee or official becomes enrolled in the plan, dependent coverage may be elected at a later date under conditions the department may impose, such as physical examination or the exclusion of preexisting conditions from coverage.

(b) Any employee or official who has elected to have his dependents covered as provided in subsection (a) of this section, and who subsequently has a change in the number of his dependents, may at the time of the change increase or decrease the number of his dependents covered by the group insurance plan under procedures established by the department.

(c) Any employee or official who has no eligible dependents at the time he becomes enrolled in the group insurance plan, and who later has an eligible dependent may, at the time his dependency status changes, elect coverage for the dependent under procedures established by the department.

(d) The dependents of any employee or official who has elected to have his dependents covered as provided in subsection (a) of this section, and who suffers a work related death as a result of employment as an official or employee, shall continue to be covered for a period of six (6) months after the date of the employee's or official's death. The state auditor shall ascertain the employing agency's contribution pursuant to W.S. 9-3-210 for the six (6) month period and shall pay the department the amount required for the coverage. The dependents shall be responsible for any portion required to be paid by the employee for coverage during the six (6) month period.