Chapter 40

40.32(3) (3) Any contribution that the department receives, which is allocated to the account of a participant and which exceeds the contributions limitation under this section, may be refunded or credited as provided in s. 40.08 (6). If the department refunds any contributions that exceed the limitation under this section, the department shall first refund amounts voluntarily contributed by a participating employee as an additional contribution under s. 40.05 (1) (a) 5.

40.32 History History: 1995 a. 302; 1997 a. 237; 2011 a. 10; 2013 a. 20.

subch. III of ch. 40 SUBCHAPTER III

SOCIAL SECURITY FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES

40.40 40.40 State-federal agreement. The secretary may, upon receipt of a certified copy of a resolution adopted by the governing body of any employer in accordance with s. 40.41 execute on behalf of the state a modification of the state-federal agreement with the secretary of the federal department of health and human services for the inclusion of a coverage group of the employees of the employer under the OASDHI system in conformity with federal regulations. The state and each employer included under the agreement or modification of the agreement shall thereafter be bound by federal regulations.

40.40 History History: 1981 c. 96.

40.41 40.41 Coverage.

40.41(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (6), all the employees of any employer shall be included under OASDHI through adoption of a resolution by the governing body of the employer providing for the coverage and stating the effective date of coverage. All groups covered by OASDHI, under s. 40.41, 1979 stats., prior to January 1, 1982, shall continue to be covered by OASDHI. Whenever any employer is created, the territory of which includes more than one-half of the last assessed valuation of an employer which prior to creation of the new employer had adopted a resolution under this subsection, and the employer so created assumes the functions and responsibilities of the previous employer with respect to the territory, then the employees of the employer so created shall be covered from the inception of the created employer as if a resolution had been adopted under this subsection.

40.41(2) (2) The resolution provided for in sub. (1) may specify a coverage group comprised of persons under a retirement system which is eligible under federal regulations for inclusion under the state-federal OASDHI agreement, in which case a referendum in conformity with section 218 (d) (3) of the federal social security act shall be conducted. The governor may take any and all actions which may be required in connection with such a referendum. The agreement with the secretary of health and human services may be modified to cover the coverage group.

40.41(3) (3) No agreement with the federal department of health and human services may be executed for the purpose of permitting one or more individuals to transfer by individual choice from that part of a retirement system which is composed of positions of employees who do not desire coverage under OASDHI to that part of a retirement system which is composed of positions of employees who desire OASDHI coverage.

40.41(4) (4) Except as provided in sub. (6), all state employees, all teachers, the participating employees of all participating employers under the Wisconsin retirement system and all employees who would have become a participating employee of a participating employer except for the requirement of s. 40.22 (6) shall be included under OASDHI, notwithstanding sub. (1).

40.41(5) (5) Except as provided in sub. (6), employees under any retirement system included in whole or in part under OASDHI, prior to January 1, 1982, under a referendum or a choice held in conformity with section 218 (d) (3) or 218 (d) (6) of the federal social security act, shall continue to be included under OASDHI in accordance with the results of the referendum or choice, notwithstanding sub. (1).

40.41(6) (6) The following services shall be excluded from OASDHI coverage, and subsequent modifications of the state-federal agreement shall continue to provide for their exclusion:

40.41(6)(a) (a) Services performed by persons or in positions not eligible for inclusion under federal regulations. Any exclusion under this paragraph shall not continue if federal regulations are subsequently modified to include the services.

40.41(6)(b) (b) Services performed by a member of a board or commission, except members of governing bodies, in a position or office which does not normally require actual performance of duty for at least 600 hours in each calendar year. For purposes of this paragraph, a “board” or “commission” is a body referred to in the statutes as a board or commission.

40.41(6)(c) (c) Service performed in the employ of a school, college or university, if the service is performed by a student who is enrolled and regularly attending classes at the school, college or university.

40.41(6)(d) (d) Services of an employee whose participating employment in a position covered by a specific retirement system is not covered by OASDHI by reason of eligibility for a choice provided by statute prior to January 1, 1982, but only with respect to services in a position covered by that retirement system.

40.41(6)(e) (e) Services in police and fire fighter positions under a retirement system except:

40.41(6)(e)1. 1. If the services were covered under the federal OASDHI system under this section prior to the effective date of the retirement system coverage.

40.41(6)(e)2. 2. If the services have been covered under the federal OASDHI system under section 218 (m) of the federal social security act.

40.41(6)(f) (f) Services in a position eligible for participation in the Wisconsin retirement system only by virtue of s. 40.22 (2m). This exclusion does not apply to any employee who is a teacher, who is a participating employee in the Wisconsin retirement system or whose employer has adopted a resolution under sub. (1).

40.41 History History: 1981 c. 96; 1987 a. 372; 1989 a. 13; 1999 a. 9.

subch. IV of ch. 40 SUBCHAPTER IV

HEALTH AND LONG-TERM CARE BENEFITS

40.51 40.51 Health care coverage.

40.51(1) (1) The procedures and provisions pertaining to enrollment, premium transmitted and coverage of eligible employees for health care benefits shall be established by contract or rule except as otherwise specifically provided by this chapter.

40.51(2) (2) Except as provided in subs. (10), (10m), (11) and (16), any eligible employee may become covered by group health insurance by electing coverage within 30 days of being hired, to be effective as of the first day of the month that first occurs during the 30-day period, or by electing coverage prior to becoming eligible for employer contribution towards the premium cost as provided in s. 40.05 (4) (a) to be effective upon becoming eligible for employer contributions. An eligible employee who is not insured, but who is eligible for an employer contribution under s. 40.05 (4) (ag) 1., may elect coverage prior to becoming eligible for an employer contribution under s. 40.05 (4) (ag) 2., with the coverage to be effective upon becoming eligible for the increase in the employer contribution. Any employee who does not so elect at one of these times, or who subsequently cancels the insurance, shall not thereafter become insured unless the employee furnishes evidence of insurability satisfactory to the insurer, at the employee’s own expense or obtains coverage subject to contractual waiting periods. The method to be used shall be specified in the health insurance contract.

40.51(2m) (2m) 

40.51(2m)(a) (a) In addition to the restriction under par. (b), neither a domestic partner of an eligible employee nor a stepchild of a current domestic partnership may be covered under a group health insurance plan under this subchapter.

40.51(2m)(b) (b) If an eligible employee is divorced or was a domestic partner in a dissolved domestic partnership, the eligible employee may not enroll a new spouse in a group health insurance plan under this subchapter until 6 months have elapsed since the date of the divorce or dissolved domestic partnership.

40.51(3) (3) The health insurance contract shall establish provisions by which an insured employee or dependents may continue group coverage or convert group coverage to a nongroup policy which, at a minimum, comply with s. 632.897.

40.51(4) (4) The group insurance board shall establish provisions for the continuance of insurance coverage which shall, at a minimum, comply with s. 632.897.

40.51(5) (5) The health insurance contract shall comply with s. 632.897.

40.51(6) (6) This state shall offer to all of its employees at least 2 insured or uninsured health care coverage plans providing substantially equivalent hospital and medical benefits, including a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider plan, if those health care plans are determined by the group insurance board to be available in the area of the place of employment and are approved by the group insurance board. The group insurance board shall place each of the plans into one of 3 tiers established in accordance with standards adopted by the group insurance board. The tiers shall be separated according to the employee’s share of premium costs.

40.51(7) (7) 

40.51(7)(a) (a) Any employer, other than the state, including an employer that is not a participating employer, may offer to all of its employees a health care coverage plan through a program offered by the group insurance board. Notwithstanding sub. (2) and ss. 40.05 (4) and 40.52 (1), the department may by rule establish different eligibility standards or contribution requirements for such employees and employers. Beginning on January 1, 2012, except as otherwise provided in a collective bargaining agreement under subch. IV of ch. 111 and except as provided in par. (b), an employer may not offer a health care coverage plan to its employees under this subsection if the employer pays more than 88 percent of the average premium cost of plans offered in any tier with the lowest employee premium cost under this subsection.

40.51(7)(b) (b)

40.51(7)(b)1. 1. A municipal employer shall pay, on behalf of a nonrepresented law enforcement or fire fighting managerial employee or a nonrepresented managerial employee described in s. 111.70 (1) (mm) 2., who was initially employed by the municipal employer before July 1, 2011, the same percentage under par. (a) that is paid by the municipal employer for represented law enforcement or fire fighting personnel or personnel described in s. 111.70 (1) (mm) 2. who were initially employed by the municipal employer before July 1, 2011.

40.51(7)(b)2. 2. A municipal employer shall pay, on behalf of a represented law enforcement or fire fighting employee, who was initially employed by the municipal employer before July 1, 2011, and who on or after July 1, 2011, became employed in a nonrepresented law enforcement or fire fighting managerial position with the same municipal employer, or a successor municipal employer in the event of a combined department that is created on or after July 1, 2011, the same percentage under par. (a) that is paid by the municipal employer for represented law enforcement or fire fighting personnel who were initially employed by the municipal employer before July 1, 2011.

40.51(8) (8) Every health care coverage plan offered by the state under sub. (6) shall comply with ss. 631.89, 631.90, 631.93 (2), 631.95, 632.72 (2), 632.722, 632.729, 632.746 (1) to (8) and (10), 632.747, 632.748, 632.798, 632.83, 632.835, 632.85, 632.853, 632.855, 632.861, 632.867, 632.87 (3) to (6), 632.885, 632.89, 632.895 (5m) and (8) to (17), and 632.896.

40.51(8m) (8m) Every health care coverage plan offered by the group insurance board under sub. (7) shall comply with ss. 631.95, 632.722, 632.729, 632.746 (1) to (8) and (10), 632.747, 632.748, 632.798, 632.83, 632.835, 632.85, 632.853, 632.855, 632.861, 632.867, 632.885, 632.89, and 632.895 (11) to (17).

40.51(9) (9) Every health maintenance organization and preferred provider plan offered by the state under sub. (6) shall comply with s. 632.87 (2m).

40.51(10) (10) Beginning on July 1, 1988, any eligible employee, as defined in s. 40.02 (25) (b) 11., may become covered by group health insurance by electing coverage within 60 days after the date on which he or she ceases to be a participating employee, and by paying the cost of the required premiums, as provided in s. 40.05 (4) (ad). Any eligible employee who does not so elect at the time specified, or who later cancels the insurance, shall not thereafter become insured unless the employee furnishes evidence of insurability satisfactory to the insurer, at the employee’s expense or obtains coverage subject to contractual waiting periods, and pays the cost of the required premiums, as provided in s. 40.05 (4) (ad). The method of payment shall be specified in the health insurance contract.

40.51(10m) (10m) Any eligible employee, as defined in s. 40.02 (25) (b) 6e. and 6g., may become covered under any health care coverage plan offered under sub. (6), without furnishing evidence of insurability, by submitting to the department, on a form provided by the department and within 30 days after the date on which the department receives the employee’s application for a retirement annuity or for a lump sum payment under s. 40.25 (1), an election to obtain the coverage, by obtaining coverage subject to contractual waiting periods and by paying the cost of the required premiums, as provided in s. 40.05 (4) (ad).

40.51(11) (11) An eligible state employee who elects insurance coverage with a county under s. 978.12 (6) may not elect coverage under this section.

40.51(12) (12) Every defined network plan, as defined in s. 609.01 (1b), and every limited service health organization, as defined in s. 609.01 (3), that is offered by the state under sub. (6) shall comply with ch. 609.

40.51(13) (13) Every defined network plan, as defined in s. 609.01 (1b), and every limited service health organization, as defined in s. 609.01 (3), that is offered by the group insurance board under sub. (7) shall comply with ch. 609.

40.51(16) (16) Beginning on the date specified by the department, but not earlier than March 20, 1992, and not later than July 1, 1992, any eligible employee, as defined in s. 40.02 (25) (b) 6m., may elect coverage under any health care coverage plan offered under sub. (6) by furnishing, at the employee’s expense, evidence of insurability satisfactory to the insurer or by obtaining coverage subject to contractual waiting periods, and by paying the cost of the required premiums, as provided in s. 40.05 (4) (ad). The method to be used shall be specified in the health insurance contract.

40.51 History History: 1981 c. 96; 1983 a. 27; 1985 a. 29; 1987 a. 27, 107, 356; 1987 a. 403 s. 256; 1989 a. 31, 93, 121, 129, 182, 201, 336, 359; 1991 a. 39, 70, 113, 152, 269, 315, 1993 a. 450, 481; 1995 a. 289; 1997 a. 27, 155, 202, 237, 252; 1999 a. 32, 95, 115, 155; 2001 a. 16, 38, 104; 2003 a. 33; 2005 a. 194; 2007 a. 36; 2009 a. 14, 28, 146, 218, 346; 2011 a. 10, 32, 133, 260; 2013 a. 186; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59; 2019 a. 185; 2021 a. 9; 2023 a. 91.

40.51 Annotation Monies appropriated to the Public Employee Trust Fund are not “state funds”; the legislature may not restrict the use of those funds by a statute governing the use of “state or local funds.” The restrictions on the use of “state and local” funds for abortions under s. 20.927 do not apply to health plans offered under this section. OAG 1-95

40.51 Annotation Under sub. (7) (a) and s. 40.03 (6) (a) 2., the board may offer any group insurance plan on a self–insured basis, and a municipal employer may offer a health care coverage plan through a program offered by the group insurance board. Applying these sections as written, a municipal employer may offer a self-insured plan if offered by the Board. Article VIII, section 3 of the Wisconsin Constitution poses no bar because offering self-insured plans does not extend the state’s credit. OAG 3-17.

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

40.513(1) (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:

40.513(1)(a) (a) The employee is eligible for an employer contribution under s. 40.05 (4) (ag).

40.513(1)(b) (b) The employee makes the election on a form provided by the department.

40.513(1)(c) (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.

40.513(2) (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.

40.513(3) (3) A state employee may not be paid an annual stipend under sub. (1) if any of the following occurs:

40.513(3)(a) (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.

40.513(3)(b) (b) The employee’s spouse is receiving health care coverage under s. 40.51 (6).

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

40.515 40.515 Health savings accounts; high-deductible health plan.

40.515(1) (1) In addition to the health care coverage plans offered under s. 40.51 (6), beginning on January 1, 2015, the group insurance board shall offer to all state employees the option of receiving health care coverage through a high-deductible health plan and the establishment of a health savings account. Under this option, each employee shall receive health care coverage through a high-deductible health plan. The state shall make contributions into each employee’s health savings account in an amount specified by the administrator of the division of personnel management in the department of administration under s. 40.05 (4) (ah) 4. In designing a high-deductible health plan, the group insurance board shall ensure that the plan may be used in conjunction with a health savings account.

40.515(2) (2) The group insurance board may contract with any person to provide administrative and other services relating to health savings accounts established under this section.

40.515(3) (3) The group insurance board may collect fees from state agencies to pay all administrative costs relating to the establishment and operation of health savings accounts established under this section. The group insurance board shall develop a methodology for determining each state agency’s share of the administrative costs. Moneys collected under this subsection shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.515 (1) (tm).

40.515(4) (4) Beginning on January 1, 2015, to the extent practicable, any agreement with any insurer or provider to provide health care coverage to state employees under s. 40.51 (6) shall require the insurer or provider to also offer a high-deductible health plan that may be used in conjunction with a health savings account.

40.515 History History: 2013 a. 20; 2015 a. 55.

40.52 40.52 Health care benefits.

40.52(1) (1) The group insurance board shall establish by contract a standard health insurance plan in which all insured employees shall participate except as otherwise provided in this chapter. The standard plan shall provide:

40.52(1)(a) (a) A family coverage option for persons desiring to provide for coverage of all eligible dependents and a single coverage option for other eligible persons.

40.52(1)(b) (b) Coverage for expenses incurred by the installation and use of an insulin infusion pump, coverage for all other equipment and supplies used in the treatment of diabetes, including any prescription medication used to treat diabetes, and coverage of diabetic self-management education programs. Coverage required under this paragraph shall be subject to the same exclusions, limitations, deductibles, and coinsurance provisions of the plan as other covered expenses, except that insulin infusion pump coverage may be limited to the purchase of one pump per year and the plan may require the covered person to use a pump for 30 days before purchase.

40.52(2) (2) Health insurance benefits under this subchapter shall be integrated, with exceptions determined appropriate by the group insurance board, with benefits under federal plans for hospital and health care for the aged and disabled. Exclusions and limitations with respect to benefits and different rates may be established for persons eligible under federal plans for hospital and health care for the aged and disabled in recognition of the utilization by persons within the age limits eligible under the federal program. The plan may include special provisions for spouses and other dependents covered under a plan established under this subchapter where one spouse is eligible under federal plans for hospital and health care for the aged but the others are not eligible because of age or other reasons. As part of the integration, the department may, out of premiums collected under s. 40.05 (4), pay premiums for the federal health insurance.

40.52(3) (3) The group insurance board, after consulting with the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System, shall establish the terms of a health insurance plan for graduate assistants, for teaching assistants, and for employees-in-training designated by the board of regents, who are employed on at least a one-third full-time basis and for teachers who are employed on at least a one-third full-time basis by the University of Wisconsin System with an expected duration of employment of at least 6 months but less than one year. Annually, the administrator of the division of personnel management in the department of administration shall establish the amount that the employer is required to pay in premium costs under this subsection.

40.52(3m) (3m) The group insurance board, after consulting with the board of directors of the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority, shall establish the terms of a health insurance plan for graduate assistants, and for employees-in-training designated by the board of directors, who are employed on at least a one-third full-time basis with an expected duration of employment of at least 6 months.

40.52(4) (4) The group insurance board shall establish the terms of health insurance plans for eligible employees, as defined under s. 40.02 (25) (b) 9. and 11., who elect coverage under s. 40.51 (7) or (10).

40.52 History History: 1981 c. 96, 381; 1983 a. 429; 1987 a. 107; 1987 a. 327, 356; 1987 a. 403 s. 256; 1989 a. 13; 1991 a. 45; 1995 a. 216; 2001 a. 82; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 10; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 59.

40.52 Annotation The denial of a homosexual employee’s request for family coverage for herself and her companion did not violate equal protection or the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of marital status, sexual orientation or gender under s. 111.321. Phillips v. Wisconsin Personnel Commission, 167 Wis. 2d 205, 482 N.W.2d 121 (Ct. App. 1992).

40.52 Annotation The insurance subrogation law permitting a subrogated insurer to be reimbursed only if the insured has been made whole applies to the state employee health plan. Leonard v. Dusek, 184 Wis. 2d 267, 516 N.W.2d 463 (Ct. App. 1994).

40.52 Annotation Barring spouses who are both state employees from each electing family medical coverage does not discriminate on the basis of marital status. Kozich v. Employee Trust Funds Board, 203 Wis. 2d 363, 553 N.W.2d 830 (Ct. App. 1996), 95-2219.

40.52 Annotation Barring spouses who are both public employees from each electing family medical coverage is excepted from the prohibition under ch. 111 against discrimination based on marital status. Motola v. LIRC, 219 Wis. 2d 588, 580 N.W.2d 297 (1998), 97-0896.

40.55 40.55 Long-term care coverage.

40.55(1) (1) Except as provided in sub. (5), the state shall offer, through the group insurance board, to eligible employees under s. 40.02 (25) (bm) and to state annuitants long-term care insurance policies which have been filed with the office of the commissioner of insurance and which have been approved for offering under contracts established by the group insurance board. The state shall also allow an eligible employee or a state annuitant to purchase those policies for his or her spouse or parent.

40.55(2) (2) For any long-term care policy offered through the group insurance board, the insurer may impose underwriting considerations in determining the initial eligibility of persons to cover and what premiums to charge.

40.55(4) (4) The group insurance board may charge a fee to each insurer whose policy is offered under this section, but the fee may not exceed the direct costs incurred by the group insurance board in offering the policy.

40.55(5) (5) An eligible state employee who elects insurance coverage with a county under s. 978.12 (6) may not elect coverage under this section.

40.55 History History: 1987 a. 356; 1989 a. 31; 1991 a. 152; 2007 a. 168; 2009 a. 28; 2011 a. 32; 2017 a. 59.

40.56 40.56 Abortion coverage prohibited. No abortion coverage or services, the performance of which is ineligible for funding under s. 20.927, may be provided in a health insurance plan or health care coverage plan offered under this subchapter.

40.56 History History: 2017 a. 191.

subch. V of ch. 40 SUBCHAPTER V