fire fighter cancer
insurance
HB 2013 eliminates the requirement that a fire fighter must have five years of credited service on account with the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) in order to be eligible for fire fighter cancer benefits.
Current law requires that a person must be an active or retired member of PSPRS, a fire fighter who is or was regularly assigned to fire fighting hazardous duties, have five years of credited service and have cancer that was first diagnosed after membership with PSPRS to qualify for covered benefits under the fire fighter cancer insurance program. Retired members remain eligible for cancer benefits for five months for every year of credited service accumulated toward retirement.
The program provides benefits for hospitalization, surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and other cancer related illness benefits. Participating local boards contribute $180.00 each fiscal year for each fire fighter employed by June 30 of the prior fiscal year. Premiums are paid quarterly for each fire fighter covered under the insurance plan.