Your Benefits
Merit Staff
Presented by: UNI Benefits Staff
Welcome to the University of Northern Iowa!
UNI employees are among the University’s most
valued resources; we recognize their worth by
providing them with the best benefits and
customer service possible.
UNI Benefits Department
The Benefits Department is located in
Human Resource Services – 027 Gilchrist
Benefits Staff
• Jesse Lahmann, Benefits Coordinator
• Therese Callaghan, Employee Health
& Well-Being Coordinator
• Miranda Cornish, Benefits Secretary
• Katie Unland, Benefits Administrator
Additional Information is available on the
Human Resource Services website
HEALTH INSURANCE
Who May Be Covered?
• Yourself
• Your Spouse
– Common law spouse or domestic partner
• Children
– Up to age 26
– Over age 26 if unmarried and a full time student
– Qualified children over age 26 who are totally and
permanently disabled
Health Insurance
Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Eligibility Requirements:
– 20 or more hours a week with an appointment for 9
months or longer.
• Date Coverage Begins:
– First day of the month following 30 days of employment;
unless hire date is first working day of the month, then
coverage begins the first of the next month.
• Date Coverage Ends:
– Last day of the month in which employee is no longer
active
• Must enroll within 30 days after your date of
employment
Find a Doctor or Hospital
Iowa Provider Search
www.wellmark.com
Wellmark Tools
My Wellmark Account
Wellmark Tools
Wellmark Mobile App
Health Insurance
• Three types of health insurance plans:
– Indemnity Plan
• Wellmark BCBS Program 3 Plus
– Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
• Wellmark BCBS Iowa Select
– Managed Care Plans
• Wellmark BCBS Blue Access
There are advantages and trade-offs with each type of plan
Right Health Insurance Plan
• The right health insurance plan is not necessarily
– Cheapest premium
– Most benefits
• The right health insurance plan
– Covers the health services you want and need
– At lowest out-of-pocket expense
Health Plan Comparison
Access to
Providers
Deductibles
Managed Care Plan
Blue Access
PPO Plan
Iowa Select
Indemnity Plan
Plan 3 Plus
Primary Care or network Only
www.Wellmark.com
Find a Doctor or Hospital
Full Access; lower level of
benefits if not in the Alliance
Select Network
www.Wellmark.com
Find a Doctor or Hospital
Full Access
www.Wellmark.com
Find a Doctor or Hospital
No Deductibles
$250 (single)
$500 (family)
*Applies to both inpatient &
outpatient services. Waived for
services in office/clinic setting
of select provider
$300 (single)
$400 (family)
*Inpatient Services only
Coinsurance
Varies by Service
10% In Network
20% Out of Network
20%
Physician Office
Visits
$10 co-payment per visit
$15 co-payment for exam only
$15 co-payment for exam only
Health Plan Comparison
Managed Care Plan
Blue Access
PPO Plan
Iowa Select
Indemnity Plan
Plan 3 Plus
10% co-insurance in
network
20% co-insurance out of
network
*1 per person per year
20% with no deductible
*1 per person per year
10% / 20% co-insurance
deductible waived
*1 exam per person per year
Not Covered
10% / 20% after deductible
– pre-certification required
by select provider
20% after deductible – precertification required by
member
Chiropractor
$10 co-payment if approved
provider
10% coinsurance in network
20% coinsurance out of
network
20% - no deductible
Emergency Room
Services
$50 co-payment – waived if
admitted
$50 co-payment – waived if
admitted
Paid at 100% - no deductible
Routine Physicals
$10 co-payment
*1 per person per year
Routine Eye &
Hearing Exam
$10 co-payment
*1 exam per person per year
Hospital Services
100% paid if authorized
Health Plan Comparison
Managed Care Plan
Blue Access
Quantity
30-day or 90-day supply for
maintenance and nonmaintenance drugs
PPO Plan
Iowa Select
30-day or 90-day supply for
maintenance and nonmaintenance drugs
Indemnity Plan
Plan 3 Plus
30-day or 90-day supply for
maintenance and nonmaintenance drugs
Tier 1
Medications
$5 copayment for a 30-day
supply or $15 copayment
for a 90-day supply per
prescription or refill
$5 copayment for a 30-day
supply or $15 copayment for
a 90-day supply per
prescription or refill
$5 copayment for a 30-day
supply or $15 copayment
for a 90-day supply per
prescription or refill
Tier 2
Medications
$15 copayment for a 30-day
supply or $45 copayment for
a 90-day supply per
prescription or refill
$15 copayment for a 30-day
supply or $45 copayment for
a 90-day supply per
prescription or refill
$15 copayment for a 30-day
supply or $45 copayment for
a 90-day supply per
prescription or refill
Tier 3
Medications
$30 copayment or 25%,
whichever is greater, for a 30day supply per prescription
or refill. $90 copayment or
25%, whichever is greater, for
a 90-day supply per
prescription or refill
$30 copayment for a 30-day
supply per prescription or
refill. $90 copayment for a
90-day supply per
prescription or refill
$30 copayment for a 30-day
supply per prescription or
refill. $90 copayment for a
90-day supply per
prescription or refill
Health Plan Comparison
Managed Care Plan
Blue Access
Indemnity Plan
Plan 3 Plus
PPO Plan
Iowa Select
Pharmacy Out of Pocket Maximum
No separate out-of-pocket
maximum. Copayments do
NOT apply to medical out-ofpocket maximum
Single $250
Family $500
Family out-of-pocket is
reached from amounts
accumulated on behalf of any
family member or
combination of family
members.
Single $250
Family $500
Family out-of-pocket is reached
from amounts accumulated on
behalf of any family member or
combination of family members.
Detailed Plan Information
Please review the Coverage
Manuals for more plan details:
http://www.uni.edu/hrs/mybenefits/merithealth
Health Insurance Premiums
January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016
Employee Pays
Single
$20.00
Plan 3 Plus Family Coverage
$304.04
Iowa Select Family Coverage
$297.92
Blue Access Family Coverage
$20.00
Shared Family or 2 State Employees*
$20.00
* Both spouses work in positions
that make them eligible for
benefits at UNI.
DENTAL INSURANCE
Dental Benefits
• Preventive Maintenance Care –
0% Coinsurance.
• Routine Restorative Care and Surgical Care –
20% Coinsurance.
• Major Restorative Care and Dental Prostheses –
50% Coinsurance.
• Maximum Annual Benefit –
$1,500 per person per calendar year for all services
combined.
• Orthodontics (only for children under age 19) –
Delta Dental pays 50% up to a maximum lifetime benefit
of $1,500 per member.
Dental Insurance Premiums
January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016
Employee Pays
Delta Dental
Single
$0.00
Family
$39.14
Shared Family
$20.03
2 State Employees
$10.02
Adding/Dropping Dependents
• Life Events
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Birth, adoption, or placement for adoption
Marriage
Spouse loses coverage
Death
Divorce
• To change your benefits, you must notify UNI
within 31 days of the life event.
– In the case of birth, adoption, or placement for
adoption, you must notify UNI within 60 days of the
event.
Open Enrollment Periods
• Changes and new enrollments are effective
on January 1st for:
– Health Plans: Every year
– Dental Plan: Upon negotiation between the
AFSCME Union and the State of Iowa
– Vision
– Flexible Spending: Must re-enroll every year
– Voluntary Life Insurance
Pre-Tax Premium Plan
• Allows employees to pay family health and/or
dental insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars.
• Premium is deducted before federal and state
income tax, and FICA taxes are calculated.
• Participation limits the changes that can be
made to plans during the plan year.
VISION INSURANCE
Avesis Vision Plan
• Nationwide network of providers
• Pre-tax payroll deduction
• Two options:
– Eye Exam & Materials
• Employee Only - $12.26/month
• Employee + Family - $27.71/month
– Materials Only
• Employee Only - $8.56/month
• Employee + Family - $19.70/month
Avesis Vision Plan
Coverage
In-Network
Out-of-Network
Vision Exam
One routine vision exam per year (Eye Exam &
Material plan only)
• $10 co-payment
$35 reimbursement
Contacts
$130 for materials & services
$130 for materials & services
Frames
Any frame with an approximate retail value of
$100 - $150 per year
• One $10 co-pay for materials (includes frames
& lenses)
$45 reimbursement
Lenses
• Standard lenses covered at 100%
• Specialty Lenses – 20% off retail
• Progressive Lenses – 20% off retail + $50
allowance
Reimbursement rate ranges from
$25 - $80 depending on the type
of lens
Lasik
$150 lifetime allowance + discount
$150 lifetime allowance
EyeMed Vision Discount
• If you are enrolled in Delta Dental of Iowa,
you are eligible for a vision discount program
through EyeMed Vision Care at no extra cost.
– Visit Delta Dental for more details on the
discounts offered and a list of participating
providers.
• You’re automatically enrolled!
– This discount program does not work in
conjunction with Avesis; you must use one or
the other.
LIFE INSURANCE
Life Insurance
• Eligibility:
– 20 or more hours a week with an appointment
for 9 months or longer.
• Date Coverage Begins:
– Automatic enrollment on the date eligibility
requirements are met.
• Full premium cost is paid by UNI.
Life Insurance
• Coverage is 2x times the employee’s annual
budgeted salary up to a maximum benefit of
$124,000.
– Life insurance benefit reduces by 35% at age 65
• Beneficiary:
– Complete a Beneficiary Designation Form and
update your beneficiary as necessary.
LONG TERM DISABILITY COVERAGE (LTD)
LTD Insurance
• Eligibility:
– 20 or more hours a week with an appointment
for 9 months or longer.
• Date Coverage Begins:
– Automatic enrollment on the date eligibility
requirements are met
• Cost:
– Full cost is paid by UNI.
LTD Insurance
• Provides salary replacement if an employee is
totally disabled.
• Benefits begin the later of 90 working days or
expiration of all accrued sick leave.
• Monthly salary replacement if approved for Long
Term Disability would be 66 2/3% of monthly salary
as of the date of disability.
LTD Insurance Retirement Protection Plan
• Continues retirement contributions for
employees who qualify for disability benefits
and are enrolled in TIAA-CREF.
• Coverage is automatic and the premium is
paid in full by UNI.
Voluntary Life Insurance and AD&D
• Voluntary term life insurance and accidental
death & dismemberment coverage is
available to employees, spouses, and
children through Principal Life Insurance
Company.
• Monthly payroll deduction withheld aftertax.
AD&D
• Term accidental death and dismemberment
(AD&D) coverage is automatically included
for employees/spouses electing voluntary
term life insurance.
– Benefits will equal the voluntary life insurance
coverage elected
• Loss of life, hands, feet, or vision as a result
of an accident.
Voluntary Life – Employee
• Employee Coverage Amounts:
• Minimum amount: $10,000
• Maximum amount: $300,000
– Purchase benefits in $10,000 increments.
– Guaranteed coverage under age 70 is $300,000.
– Guarantee coverage age 70 and over is $10,000.
Voluntary Life - Spouse
• Employee coverage is required for spouse to
elect coverage.
• Spouse Coverage Amounts:
• Minimum amount: $5,000
• Maximum amount: $50,000
– Purchase benefits in $5,000 increments.
– Guaranteed coverage under age 70 is $50,000.
– Guarantee coverage age 70 and over is $10,000.
Voluntary Life - Children
• Child Coverage Amount
– For eligible children age 14 days to age 26:
• $10,000 of coverage – number of children covered is
unlimited
• $2.00 per family/month
– For eligible children under 14 days of age:
• Employees who elect the coverage receive $1,000 of
coverage
Voluntary Life and AD&D Rates
Age
Monthly Rate
29 & Under
$.68 per $10,000
30-34
$.78 per $10,000
35-39
$1.01 per $10,000
40-44
$1.35 per $10,000
45-49
$2.01 per $10,000
50-54
$3.09 per $10,000
55-59
$5.05 per $10,000
60-54
$7.69 per $10,000
65-69
$14.02 per $10,000
70 & Over
$27.96 per $10,000
Voluntary Life – Portability
• If an employee leaves UNI, they can continue
their voluntary term life coverage.
– Rates will remain the same as the UNI group
rates for at least 12 months.
FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT
Flexible Spending Accounts
• Contribute money into a spending account
with pretax earnings.
• Use the money to be reimbursed for
dependent care and/or non-covered
medical, dental and vision expenses.
• ASI Flex – Vendor
– Submit a claim with a receipt to be reimbursed
Dependent Care Spending Account
• Used to reimburse dependent care expenses
incurred.
– Maximum contribution is $5,000 per year per
family.
– Minimum contribution is $20 a month.
• Expenses are reimbursed as funds accrue in
the account.
– All expenses must be incurred by December 31
of the plan year.
Health Care Spending Account
• Used to reimburse medical, dental and vision
expenses not covered by insurance plans.
– Maximum contribution is $2,550 per year.
– Minimum contribution is $20 a month.
• Expenses are reimbursed when they are
incurred up to the annual contribution level.
– All expenses must be incurred by March 15
following the end of the calendar year.
• Debit Card is available ($12 annual card fee).
Enrollment Forms
Human Resources must receive the following
forms within 30 days after your date of
employment:
• Merit Health/Dental Enrollment Form
• Retirement Election
• Life Insurance Beneficiary
Retirees Returning to Work
• If a new employee has retired from UNI and previously
participated in TIAA-CREF, they cannot return in a TIAACREF eligible position and receive distributions.
Therefore, even if the employee is now participating in
IPERS, they cannot hold a non-temporary appointment of
half-time or greater, and earn an annual salary of $7,800
or more at the University and receive TIAA-CREF
distributions.
• If a new employee has retired and previously participated
in IPERS at UNI or another state agency, they cannot
receive IPERS distributions if they earn an annual salary of
$30,000 or more at any state agency.
RETIREMENT OPTIONS
UNI Retirement Programs
• The State of Iowa requires all state employees to
participate in an approved retirement program:
– Iowa Public Employees Retirement System (IPERS)
or
– Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association/College
Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA-CREF)
• If you do not choose a retirement program, you will
default to IPERS.
IPERS
Iowa Public Employees Retirement System
• A defined benefit program administered by
the State of Iowa.
– UNI contributes: 8.93% of paid salary
– Employee contributes: 5.95% of paid salary
• Employee is vested after seven years of
service
TIAA-CREF
Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association/College
Retirement Equities Fund
• A defined contribution program administered by
TIAA-CREF
– UNI contributes: 6% of the first $4,800 of earnings in a
fiscal year, 10% of all earnings over $4,800.
– Employee contributes: 3 1/3% of the first $4,800 of
earnings in a fiscal year, and 5% of all earnings over
$4,800.
– UNI contributions increase to 10% and employee
contributions increase to 5% after five years of
employment.
• You are immediately vested in all contributions.
Group Supplemental Retirement
Annuity (GSRA)
• Employees may elect to make additional monthly
contributions to a Supplemental Retirement
Annuity.
• SRA’s are available through TIAA-CREF or other
approved vendors.
• Additional contributions can be made with pre-tax
dollars to approved vendors or with after-tax
dollars to a TIAA CREF Roth 403(b) account.
• 2015 Contribution limit for SRA is $18,000.
– If age 50 or over can contribute an additional $6,000.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
COBRA Notification
• Employees and their dependents may be
eligible to continue health and/or dental
coverage for up to 18 or 36 months if there is
a qualifying event.
Other UNI Benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick Leave
• Vacation and Personal Days
• Holidays
• Payroll Deductions
Disability and Leave Services
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ADA Concerns
Disability Accommodations
Family Leaves
Medical Leaves
Catastrophic Leave Program
Work Related Injuries
Long-Term Disability
Campus Accessibility
Return-to-Work
Family Caregiving Leave
What do I do if I’m injured at work?
• Worker’s Compensation Website:
www.uni.edu/hrs/benefits/workerscomp
• Let your supervisor know of your injury
– Complete First Report of Injury
– Go to Occupational Health Provider if necessary
– E-mail: WorkComp@uni.edu
Reasons & types of Leave FMLA
• Eligibility
– 1250 hours worked in the last year
– 12 months of service
• Qualifying Reasons for FMLA
Own Serious Health Condition
What is a Serious Health Condition?
To provide care for a Parent, Child (under 18 or
disabled), or Spouse with a Serious Health Condition
Reasons Continued
Incapacity due to pregnancy, prenatal medical
care, or child birth
Care for an employee’s child after birth, or
placement for adoption or foster care
Military Leave Entitlements
How do I apply for FMLA?
• Forms Needed:
– Leave Request Form
– Certification of Health Care provider
– Return-to-Work Release
FMLA pamphlet
Use of Sick Leave
• Employees may use accrued sick leave for personal illness
(both physical and mental), bodily injuries, medically
related disabilities resulting from pregnancy and
childbirth, or exposure to contagious disease.
• Can also be used for:
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Family Caregiving Leave
Funeral Leave
Pallbearer Leave
Personal Medical or Dental Appointments
Adoption Leave
• Subject to supervisor approval
Drug- Free Workplace
• Drug – Free Workplace Brochure
• Employee Assistance Program
Employee Well-Being
• Physical Well-being
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Free flu vaccines
Free biometric health screenings
Smoking cessation services
Employee well-being library collection & Fitbit
checkout program
– Health and well-being challenges
• Occupational & Intellectual Well-being
– Safety at work
– Worker’s Comp
– Educational learning opportunities
Employee Well-being
• Spiritual & Emotional Well-being
– Employee Assistance Program
– Stress Management Resources
• Social & Community Well-being
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Walking and Running Groups
Employee Awards and Recognition
Service Organizations around campus
Annual Well-being & Benefits Fair
• Monthly Well-being Champion
– Every month we find a well deserving employee that
promotes well-being around campus