4-607.01 - Continued Health Insurance Coverage to Officers Disabled or Killed in the Line of Duty

Policy

Police officers, who are killed in the line of duty, or who suffer a disabling injury in the scope of employment resulting in retirement or separation from service, may be eligible for continued health insurance coverage under Minn. Stat. § 299A.465.

An officer, or the representative or dependent, can obtain an application packet from the MPD Payroll Supervisor. The application must be signed by the claimant. Supporting documents must be included with the application, which may include, but are not limited to, the following documents:

• Legal documentation showing that the claimant, if other than the officer, is legally allowed to act on behalf of the officer.
• Medical Reports showing the nature of the disabling injury and the cause of the disabling injury.
• Letter or documentation from the pension plan demonstrating that the officer has been approved to receive a duty-related pension plan.
• Documentation from the City demonstrating that the disabling injury has been accepted as a workers' compensation injury.
• Marriage certificate for spouse.
• Birth certificates, adoption decrees, or legal guardianship documentation for dependant children (if they were covered under employee’s health insurance at the time of injury/death).
• For dependant children at least 19 years old and under the age of 25, proof that the child is a full time student (a copy of the educational institution’s enrollment record is acceptable).

Note: In case of a death in the Line of Duty, these additional documents are required:

• Certified copy of death certificate.
• An affidavit that provides proof that the spouse and decedent were legally married at the time of the officer’s death.
• An affidavit that provides proof that decedent had custody or guardianship of all listed dependent children.

Once the application has been submitted by the employee or employee’s representative or dependent, City staff will gather appropriate documentation, which may include:

• The Employment Verification form.
• Workers Comp First Report of Injury.
• Any other reports or statements that document work related status of the injury/incident.
• Any other document bearing on the eligibility for continued health care insurance coverage.

A copy of such documents will be provided to the claimant. MPD may also request that the officer submit to a medical and/or psychological examination by a health care provider of the City’s choice to determine, among other things, the nature of the injury and whether the injury was incurred in the course and scope of employment with the City of Minneapolis.

The MPD Payroll Supervisor will assemble the packet and forward it to the Chief of the Minneapolis Police Department, or a designee, the Chief of the Minneapolis Fire Department, or a designee, and the Director of Risk Management, or a designee, for eligibility determination. If the application meets the eligibility criteria, the Department of Human Resources will be notified to process the continuing coverage.

If the application does not meet requirements for continued health insurance coverage, the claimant will be notified in writing, by certified mail, of the reason for the denial of such benefits.

Upon the receipt of notice of denial, the claimant will have 30 calendar days to submit a request for reconsideration of the denial. City staff may gather any other necessary documentation or request additional information from the claimant. The claimant will have the opportunity to make a verbal presentation to a committee consisting of: the City’s Director of Risk Management & Claims, or designee; the Chief of MPD, or designee; and the Chief of Fire Department, or designee. An attorney from the Office of Minneapolis City Attorney may also be present as legal counsel to the committee. The determination of the committee on the request for reconsideration is the final determination by the City of Minneapolis with regard to the claim.

Definitions

Refer to the Commonly Used Terms page for general definitions.