2016 New
Employee Benefit
Orientation
for Graduate Assistants, Post-Doctoral Appointees and ShortTerm Academic Appointments
(Rev 02/16)
Payroll and Taxes
•
Paid once per month. Earnings statement available online at
https://my.wisconsin.edu.
•
No taxes withheld from Advanced Opportunity Fellow; Fellow; Grad
Intern or Trainee; Post-Doc Fellow, Scholar or Trainee earnings per
IRS regulations.
• WARNING: You may be responsible for paying taxes on
income when you file your tax return if you work in one of
these positions. See IRS Publications 505 and 970 for more
information.
How do I enroll in benefits?
• Benefit applications: www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/formspubs/.
• Return applications to your benefits office. See your enrollment
deadline worksheet for specific deadline dates.
• Benefits are generally effective on the 1st of the month on or
following your benefits eligibility date (usually your date of hire) if
your application is submitted within 30 days.
• Some employees can enroll online through eBenefits – you will be
notified if eligible. You will log in to eBenefits through your MyUW
portal at https://my.wisconsin.edu (Benefit Information box).
How do I pay for my benefits?
•
Benefit premiums: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/premiums/
•
Premiums taken via payroll deduction
•
Most benefits paid in advance of coverage so there may be multiple
deductions from first check that includes benefit deductions
•
For all employees, except 9 month (academic year) employees, benefit
deductions are taken every month
•
9 month faculty or academic staff employees
o
Benefit deductions only taken during 9 month academic year
o
Multiple benefit deductions taken from one to three checks prior to the end
of the spring semester to keep coverage active between academic years if
appointment will continue for the following semester
o
Benefit deductions do not come out of summer salary
Paid Leave Benefits
(Academic Staff & Limited Appointees Who Meet
Minimum Appointment Threshold Only)
You are eligible for paid leave only if you are short-term
academic staff who meets the minimum appointment
threshold of:
 Expected to work at least 440 hours (21% for
annual-basis and 28% for academic year
appointment) for at least one year.
 For more information, see
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/leave/
Domestic Partner Benefits
• You may cover a domestic partner and his/her children under all benefit plans
that provide coverage for dependents.
• To qualify as domestic partners, two people must meet all of the following criteria:
o Each person must be at least 18 years old and competent to enter into a
contract;
o Neither person is married to, or in a domestic partnership with, another;
o They share a common residence;
o Their partnership must not violate Wis. Stats. 765.03, which bars marriage
between certain persons based on kinship and divorce;
o They must consider themselves to be members of each other’s immediate
family;
o They must agree to be responsible for each other’s basic living expenses.
• See www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/dp/ for affidavits and detailed enrollment
information.
Important Tax Considerations for Those who
Cover a Domestic Partner/Partner’s Children
• A domestic partner and his/her children are typically not considered your
tax dependents under federal and state tax code.
• If you carry non-tax dependents on your health insurance, the value of
coverage provided to them is taxable income to you. This is referred to
as "imputed income” and will increase your tax liability.
• The additional taxes owed can range from under $100 to $400 or more
per month, depending on the number of covered non-tax dependents.
These additional taxes will be taken on the same paycheck as your
health insurance deduction.
• Fair market value charts, imputed tax calculators, links to IRS
publication and other tax information is available online at:
https://uwservice.wisconsin.edu/imputed-income/ and
www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/dp/.
State Group Health Insurance (SGH)
•
•
•
•
•
Must submit an application to either elect or decline coverage
Application: https://uwservice.wisconsin.edu/docs/forms/et2301.pdf
Initial Enrollment Period – within 30 days of benefits eligibility date
Coverage levels – single or family
o
If married to another state/UW employee, must carry either 2 single policies
or 1 family policy (does not apply to those in a domestic partnership)
o
If in domestic partnership, you are NOT required to carry your partner on
your family policy. However, if you want to cover your partner’s children, you
are required to cover your domestic partner as well
Enrollment options when covered by another health plan
o
Other plan is NOT a State of WI/UW plan – no restrictions – can have
coverage under both plans
o
Other plan is a State of WI/UW plan through parent or spouse/domestic
partner – remain on parent’s/spouse’s/domestic partner’s plan until no
longer eligible OR enroll in own plan; you may not be covered on both
State Group Health Insurance
Enrollment Period
•
Coverage is effective on the 1st of the month on or after your benefits
eligibility date (typically date of hire) if the application is received by
your employer, either via eBenefits or paper application, within 30 days
of eligibility.
– If using the application, ET-2301:
• Select Eligibility reason (Section 1 of application) = Graduate
Assistant
• Select “When the employer contributes to premiums”
(Section 4, Enrollment Information)
Sample of Section 4 of ET-2301
State Group Health Insurance
Coverage Types
• You may choose the health insurance plan option that will
best meet the needs of you and your family.
• Employees have the choice between:
– It’s Your Choice (IYC) Health Plan (regional HMOs and
PPOs); or
– Access Plan (nationwide PPO network)
State Group Health Insurance
Coverage Types
IYC Health Plan
Access Plan
•Provides the same level of innetwork coverage regardless of
which health plan (insurer) you
choose
• PPO insurance plan
•Most health plans are HMOs–
must use plan providers
•PPOs pay lower level of benefits
if non-plan providers are used
•Provider networks are primarily in
Wisconsin
•Includes Uniform Dental
• Nationwide network and is
available in every county in WI
• Higher premium costs
State Group Health Insurance
Coverage
•
Most in-network medical services are subject to a deductible and
either an office visit copayment or 10% coinsurance.
•
Preventive services are covered at 100% and are not subject to the
deductible or copays.
•
Uniform Benefits is the standardized level of benefits offered by all
health plans participating in the IYC Health Plan.
•
All health plans, except the State Maintenance Plan, offer Uniform
Dental Benefits. Uniform Dental is included with your health plan
unless you decline Uniform Dental when you enroll. If you decline
Uniform Dental, your monthly premium will be reduced.
•
All health plans offer the Pharmacy Benefits administered by
Navitus.
State Group Health Insurance
Coverage
• You have some basic decisions to make about your health
insurance enrollment. All of the offered health plans, except the
Access Plan, offer the same Uniform Benefits coverage. You are
primarily choosing:
– The type of plan you want-- HMO, Regional PPO or Nationwide
PPO, based on the plans available in your area
– Provider network/ access to physicians, hospitals or other health
care providers
– Plan performance on quality measures
– Other wellness benefits or perks (e.g. healthy living rewards,
incentives, complementary medicine)
• All health insurance information can be found in the It’s Your Choice
Decision Guide available at:
http://etf.wi.gov/publications/16et2107.pdf
Health Plan Summary
IYC Health Plan
Deductible
$250 individual
$500 family
Office Visit Copay – Primary Care
$15
Office Visit Copay – Specialty Care
$25
Coinsurance
You pay 10%
Annual Out-of-Pocket Max (OOPL)
$1,250 individual
$2,500 family
The deductible does not have to be met for office visit copays to apply.
Preventive services are covered in full.
Uniform Dental Summary
Annual Deductible
Annual Benefit Maximum
(per person)
Coverage
Covered Services
(Examples)
$0
-
$1,000
-
Diagnostic/Preventive
100%
•
•
•
Restorative
100%
•
Fillings
•
Periodontal
Maintenance Only
Local Anesthesia
Periodontal & Adjunctive
Services
80%
Orthodontia (under 19)
50%
Orthodontia Lifetime Max
•
$1,500
You must use dentists in the Delta Dental Network.
Routine Evaluations
X-rays
Fluoride Treatments
Prescription Drug Coverage
Administered by Navitus Health Solutions (http://www.navitus.com)
You will receive a prescription ID card from Navitus.
Benefit
Prescription Drug Copay
(30-day supply)
Specialty Drugs Copay
(30-day supply)
Prescription Annual Out-ofPocket Limit (OOPL). When
OOPL is met, 100% coverage for
remainder of calendar year.
Out-of-Pocket Costs
Level 1 - $5
Level 2 – 20% Level 3 – 40%
($50 max)
($150 max)
Level 4 Preferred – $50 if filled at specialty pharmacy
Level 4 Non-Preferred – 40% ($200 max)
Level 1 & 2 $600/person,
$1,200/family
Level 3 –
No OOPL.
Federal max
applies
Level 4 $1,200/person,
$2,400/family
• Mail Order is available through WellDyneRx. Up to a 90-day supply of Level 1
and Level 2 drugs may be purchased for two copayments.
State Group Health Insurance
2016 Monthly Employee Health Insurance
Premium Contributions
Health Plan
IYC Health Plan
Single
Family
All health plans with Uniform Dental (except the
Access Plan)
$44.50
$112.50
All health plans without Uniform Dental (except
the Access Plan)
$41.50
$104.50
Access Plan with Uniform Dental – if assigned
to work out-of-state
$69.50
$174.50
Access Plan without Uniform Dental – if
assigned to work out-of-state
$66.50
$166.50
Access Plan with Uniform Dental
$128
$320
Access Plan without Uniform Dental
$125
$312
State Group Health
•
Health insurance premiums are deducted on a pre-tax basis.
If you would like your premiums deducted on an after-tax
basis, please contact your benefits office.
•
Health Insurance Application
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
•
•
The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program is administered by TASC.
•
•
•
30-day enrollment period - must re-enroll every year
All employees are eligible except fellows, scholars, trainees, grad intern/trainee
or post-doc fellow/trainee.
Services received prior to effective date cannot be reimbursed.
Flexible Spending Accounts offered:
o
Healthcare FSA – used to pay for eligible medical expenses not covered by
insurance. Expenses can be incurred by you and/or your eligible family
members (HDHP enrollees not eligible).
o
Dependent Day Care FSA – used to pay for eligible dependent care
expenses for eligible family members (daycare, after school care, adult day
care…).
This program automatically provides pretax premium deductions for health, dental, vision and a portion of
State Group Life insurance premiums for eligible employees regardless of enrollment in an FSA.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
•
FSA contributions are deducted pretax. State, federal and social security taxes
calculated on remaining income.
•
Annual contribution maximums
o
Healthcare & Limited Purpose FSA: $2,550 maximum
o
Dependent Day Care FSA: $5,000 maximum (restrictions may apply)
•
Plan year is 1-1-20XX to 12-31-20XX. If enrolled in 2016, you have until
December 31, 2016 to incur eligible expenses. Claims must be submitted to
TASC by March 30 following the plan year.
•
If you have any money left in your account at the end of the plan year, up to
$500 will carry over into the next plan year. Anything over $500 will be lost.
Note: This does not apply to the Dependent Day Care FSA.
•
Mid-year plan changes are restricted – must have an eligible Life Event to
change election or enroll in plan. Must file a “Change of Election” form for
approval within 30 days of an eligible Life Event.
•
Enrollment forms available at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/formspubs/
Dental Wisconsin
(Administered by EPIC Life Insurance Company)
•
•
30-day enrollment period. No employer contribution for premium.
Two Dental Wisconsin plans available (select one):
o Preferred Provider Plan (PPO)
o Select Plan (no diagnostic or preventive coverage)
•
•
•
Application
•
Dental WI also provides a vision discount program through Davis Vision. Present your
Dental WI card at any Davis Vision provider to receive discounts on eye wear.
Plan Brochure
See any dentist but greater benefits received if you see a Delta Dental Premier Provider.
For PPO in-network benefits, use the Delta Dental PPO Provider Look-Up
2016 Monthly Premiums
Employee
Only
Employee &
Spouse/DP
Employee &
Child(ren)
Family
Select Plan
$20.52
$42.19
$48.68
$71.59
PPO Plan
$25.49
$53.96
$60.34
$91.21
Plan
Note: Once enrolled for plan year, must remain in plan for remainder of calendar year.
Dental Wisconsin Benefit Summary
Plan Name
PPO Plan
Out-ofIn-Network
Network
Select Plan
Diagnostic / Preventative
100%
75%
No coverage
Basic
Major/Restore (Includes
Endodontic, Periodontics
and Implants)
Orthodontia (Lifetime
Benefit)
Annual Deductible Per
Person
Office Visit Copay
75%
55%
75%
50%
25%
50%
Annual Benefit Maximum
Waiting Period
(if no prior coverage)
Basic Services
Major Services
Orthodontia
$1,000 Benefit
(for children under 19)
$25
$50
$1,000 Benefit
(for children under 19)
$50
None
None
$1,000
$1,000
3 Months
3 Months
12 Months
3 Months
3 Months
12 Months
EPIC Benefits+
 Enrollment period - within 30 days of employment begin date
 No employer contribution for premium.
 Application
 Plan Brochure
2016 Monthly Premiums
Coverage Level
Without Vision
With Vision
Single
$19.77
$24.02
Employee + Spouse/DP
$39.54
$47.04
Employee + Child(ren)
$39.54
$47.04
Family
$59.31
$70.34
Note: Once enrolled for plan year, must remain in plan for remainder of calendar year.
EPIC Benefits+
Summary of Benefits
Benefit
Description
Supplemental Dental
(no coverage for basic
or preventive services)
• Pays 50% of covered dental charges, after $75
deductible. $1,500 annual maximum
• $1,200 orthodontia lifetime maximum – (under age 19
only); 12-month waiting period
Hospital and Surgery
Benefit
• You receive $200/day starting on 3rd day of hospital
confinement;
• You receive $200 per eligible outpatient surgery
AD&D Benefits
Receive lump sum payment (between $1,000 and
$15,000) for accidental death or dismemberment
Vision Discount Plan
Davis Vision Affinity Discount Plan
Vision Insurance Plan
For additional premium, enroll in vision insurance
through Davis Vision Network (in- and non-network
benefits available)
VSP Vision Insurance
•
30-day enrollment period
•
Application
•
Plan Brochure
2016 Monthly Premiums
•
Employee Only
Employee +
Spouse/DP
Employee +
Child(ren)
Employee +
Family
$6.54
$13.08
$14.73
$23.54
Will not receive an ID card – must notify your eye care provider that you
have coverage under VSP. May print an ID card at www.vsp.com.
Note: Once enrolled for plan year, must remain in plan for remainder of calendar year.
VSP Vision Insurance
Summary of Benefits
Benefit
Description
Vision Exam
Annual eye exam with a $15 copay (also covered by all IYC
Health Plans with a $25 copay)
Prescription
Glasses
• Frames – covered up to $130 every other year after $25
copay
• Lenses – covered every year after copay – employee cost
depends on selected lenses
Contact Lenses $130 annual allowance – no copay for contact lenses
KidsCare
Program
•
•
•
•
Additional
Savings
• Discounts on additional glasses purchased in-network
• Discounts on in-network laser vision correction
Two exams per year
Impact resistant lenses
Lenses replaced annually or as needed
Frames replaced annually with $25 copay
Note: Note: VSP covers either lenses for your glasses OR contacts every year, but not both.
.
Dental Wisconsin, EPIC Benefits+
and VSP Vision Comparison
How do I choose what plan is right for me?
• Dental Wisconsin and EPIC Benefits+ offer similar dental benefits –
see their dental benefits compared side-by-side on our Dental
Comparison Chart.
• Dental Wisconsin, EPIC Benefits+ and VSP Vision all have some
vision benefits – see their vision benefits compared side-by-side on
our Vision Comparison Chart.
• You may enroll in any or all of these plans.
Life Insurance Programs
There are four life insurance programs available. All are term life insurance
policies. You can enroll in none, some or all of the programs.
Unless otherwise indicated below, if you do not enroll during your initial enrollment
period, you can apply for coverage through Medical Evidence of Insurability but
acceptance is not guaranteed.
Enrollment period: Except as noted below, enroll within 30 days of your benefits
eligibility date (typically your hire date). Coverage is effective on the first day of the
month following 30 days from the date of benefit eligibility.
•
Individual & Family Group Life Insurance
•
UW Employees Inc Life Insurance
•
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life Insurance (includes Zurich Travel
Assist Travel Insurance) – Can enroll at any time
•
University Insurance Association Life Insurance – enrollment is automatic if
eligible
Individual & Family Group Life
 Application:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/life/if/app.pdf
 Beneficiary Designation:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/life/if/bendes.pdf
 You may choose initial coverage at the following amounts:
 Employee: $5,000 / $10,000 / $15,000 / $20,000
 Spouse/Domestic Partner: $5,000 / $10,000
 Children: $2,500 / $5,000
 Premium based on employee age and coverage level
 Can increase coverage level on an annual basis during Annual Increase
Option Period every October. Maximum coverage:
 Employee: $300,000
 Spouse/Domestic Partner: $150,000 / Children: $25,000
UW Employees Inc Life Insurance (UWE)
•
Application: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/life/uwei/app.pdf
•
Beneficiary Designation:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/life/uwei/bendes.pdf
•
Can elect and change beneficiary online at: www.lifebenefits.com (will receive
login information from Securian after enrollment is processed)
•
Employee-only coverage – coverage level and premium based on age
Age
Coverage
Premium
Age
Coverage
Premium
< 35
$33,000
$1.00
50 – 54
$15,000
$2.40
35 – 39
$28,000
$1.25
55 – 59
$13,000
$3.80
40 – 44
$25,000
$1.60
60 – 64
$12,000
$4.35
45 – 49
$18,000
$2.00
65+
$7,000
$3.00
University Insurance Association Life Insurance
(Faculty, Academic Staff & Limited Appointees only)
• Coverage is MANDATORY, by action of the Board of Regents, for all
Faculty, Academic Staff and Limited Appointee employees with a base
salary of at least $2,567 per month.
• Coverage begins October 1
• Decreasing term life insurance
• Schedule of benefits:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/life/uia/fact.pdf
• Premium: $24.00 per year. (Deduction taken from October earnings,
payable on or around November 1st)
• No application – automatic enrollment if eligible
• Beneficiary designation
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Life
Insurance (AD&D) + Zurich Travel Assist
• Enroll at anytime - coverage effective on 1st of month on or after the date
application received by your benefits office.
• Application:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/life/add/app.pdf
• Beneficiary Designation:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/life/add/bendes.pdf
• Benefit payable for accidental death/dismemberment only - includes
many additional benefits for surviving dependents. Plan summary:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/life/add/fact.pdf
• Coverage options range from $25,000 - $500,000 for single and family
coverage.
• Includes Zurich Travel Assist package - multilingual network of
physicians, nurses and travel assistance specialists that can provide
legal, medical, informational or personal help while traveling more than
100 miles from home.
Life Insurance Summary
Individual &
Family Group
Life
UW
Employees
Inc Life
AD&D Life
UIA Life
Initial
enrollment
period
30 day
enrollment
deadline
30 day
enrollment
deadline
No enrollment
deadline
Automatic
enrollment, if
eligible
Who is
covered?
Employee,
Spouse/DP,
Children
Employee
Employee,
Spouse/DP,
Children
Faculty, Academic
Staff & Limited
Appointees Only
Employee
coverage
amount
Up to $20,000 –
can increase
annually
Coverage
based on age
Up to $500,000
Coverage based
on age
How much
coverage is
available for
my family?
Up to $10,000
on spouse/DP;
$5000 on
children. Can
increase
annually
None
Certain % of
employee
coverage – see
plan certificate
for details
None
Beneficiary Designations
 A beneficiary is a person(s) or any legal entity such as an estate or trust,
that you specifically name to receive benefits payable upon death (life
insurance, value of tax deferred retirement savings account…)
 Most beneficiary designations available online:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/formspubs/
 Each benefit plan has a separate beneficiary designation.
 Mail beneficiary designations directly to the address listed on the form.
 If you do not file designation, benefits will be payable per Standard
Sequence.
 It is important to keep your beneficiary designations up-to-date. Always
review your designations and update as necessary when you have a life
event (birth, death, divorce, marriage, change in domestic partnership…).
Parking and Transit
• Administered by TASC.
• TASC also offers Parking and Transit benefits that allows you to pay for
certain transportation-related expenses on a pre-tax basis. This
includes:
o Mass Transit Fares
o Parking Fees
• The UW System deducts parking costs on a pre-tax basis. If you
purchase parking through the UW, you already receive this pre-tax
benefit.
• The limits are $130 per month for transit and/or vanpool, and $255 per
month for parking. You may change your election amount at any time.
• Enrollment form
Retirement Savings Plans
Wisconsin Deferred Compensation
• Set up account, fund allocations and payroll deductions directly with
Wisconsin Deferred Compensation
• Roth (post-tax) Option available
• WDC offers 22 investment options:
o
o
o
o
o
o
6 Lifecycle Funds
1 stable value option
1 FDIC-insured bank option
10 mutual funds
4 commingled trust options
Self-Directed Brokerage Account
• Annual fees based on total account balance ($0 - $180/year)
• To enroll or for additional information, please contact Wisconsin
Deferred Compensation at 1-877-457-9327 or go to: www.wdc457.org.
• UW System can not provide specific investment advice.
Supplemental Retirement Savings Plans
TSA Program
•
Set up an account directly with a UW TSA investment company(ies)
o Online with TIAA-CREF, Fidelity, T. Rowe Price
o RiverSource (Ameriprise), Lincoln National Life (insurance
companies) – an agent will help you.
•
Submit a salary reduction agreement (SRA) to your benefits office to
begin payroll deductions
•
All fund allocations are set up directly with the investment company.
UW System cannot provide specific investment advice, but individual
counseling is available from the companies, in person or over the
phone.
•
Roth Option is available with TIAA-CREF, Fidelity, T. Rowe Price and
Lincoln National Life
•
No annual fee, low-cost institutional share classes
•
For more information: www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/ret/tsa/
LifeSuite Program
The LifeSuite Program offers travel assistance, legal
services, beneficiary financial counseling and legacy
planning services. If eligible, you do not have to
enroll in this program; it is offered free of charge.
For more information on eligibility and services, refer
to: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/misc/#lifesuite
Long Term Care Insurance
• Long-term care insurance (LTCi) provides financial protection for the
costs of long-term care.
• It covers services that are typically not covered by health insurance
but are vital, such as walking, eating, bathing, etc.
• Coverage includes care in non-institutional settings, such as
assisted living, adult day care, and in-home care.
• LTCi is available to you, your spouse or domestic partner, your
parents and your spouse’s or domestic partner’s parents. Anyone
covered by the plan must live in Wisconsin.
• You may apply directly to the vendor at any time.
• The Department of Employee Trust Funds (ETF) monitors the LTCi
plans.
Life Events Impact Benefits
Contact your payroll and benefits coordinator within 30 days of a Life
Event. You only have 30 days following a Life Event to
change/enroll in the majority of benefits.
Examples of life events:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Marriage or divorce
Begin or end a domestic partnership
Birth, adoption, guardianship of a child (60 days to enroll)
Termination of employment
Disability
Change in employment status
Move
Spouse, dependent child, domestic partner death
Resources
•
View earnings, leave and tax statements as well as important benefit
information on the My UW System portal: https://my.wisconsin.edu/
•
Contact your benefits office or visit your institution’s website. Contact
information online: www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/contact/
•
UW System Administration’s benefits website:
www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/
•
2016 Employee Benefit Summary for Graduate Assistants, PostDoctoral Appointees and Short-Term Academic Appointments
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/summaries/grad.pdf
•
New Employees Benefits website:
https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/newemp/
•
See an estimate of your total compensation package:
www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/totalcomp/