PG-28 University's Program of Personnel Benefits

THE UNIVERSITY'S PROGRAM:

The University maintains a comprehensive program of personnel benefits for all full-time regular faculty and staff members and eligible dependents. Information about these programs is found in a variety of policies, handbooks, and brochures prepared to acquaint faculty and staff members about employment with the University. Such programs of benefits are under constant review and are subject to periodic revision. Further information may be obtained from the Office of Human Resources.

CONTINUANCE OF UNIVERSITY BENEFITS:

The University continues benefits contributions on a twelve-month basis, for nine-, ten- and eleven-month Full-time Standing employees. It is the responsibility of these Full-time Standing employees to continue optional employee contributions, such as optional life insurance; health insurance; cancer insurance; dental insurance; etc., during periods that employees are not included on the University's payroll.

Fixed Term employees, who are employed for 9-, 10-, or 11-months will be paid for the actual duration of their appointments.

Should such employees choose to continue their health and dental insurances, they may do so under the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA).

Under the provision of COBRA, which was signed into law on April 7, 1986, with an effective date of July 1, 1986, the University's regular full-time employees, their spouses, and their eligible dependents may elect to continue their health care coverages under the University's medical plan in certain instances where coverage would otherwise be terminated. Those instances include termination of employment for reasons other than gross misconduct, death of the employee, divorce or legal separation, non-eligibility for Medicare, or reduction in the hours of employment. 

Under the law, regular full-time employees, their spouses, and their dependents must be offered continuation coverage for a minimum period of 18 months. When coverage is lost through termination of employment or reduction in hours, the required coverage is 18 months. However, the law permits continuation coverage to be immediately terminated when the University no longer provides group medical coverage, premiums for coverage are not paid, eligibility for Medicare is attained, the spouse remarries, coverage is provided under another group health plan, or the dependent ceases to be a "dependent child" under the criteria established in the medical plan. 

Entitlements for continuation coverage of medical benefits must be processed through the Office of Human Resources.