Benefits
Types of Employment
• Teaching Faculty
• Administrative/Professional Faculty
A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Health Insurance
•
Health insurance is available to all regular and restricted full-time salaried faculty
and staff.
•
The health plan options available are COVA Care, COVA HealthAware, COVA
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), Kaiser Permanente HMO, and TRICARE
Supplement (for those who are eligible for TRICARE).
•
If enrollment is received by the due date, the selected plan is effective the first
day of the month following date of hire.
•
•
Enrollment is done by using the web-based enrollment process
(edirect.virginia.gov) or by submitting a paper enrollment form to Human
Resources within 30 calendar days of hire.
Pre-tax premium deduction
•
No re-enrollment is required each year
•
Coverage available for eligible family members with supporting documentation

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty

Flexible Reimbursement Accounts
•
These accounts allow employees to set aside money each pay period that can be
used throughout the plan year (July 1 – June 30) to pre-fund anticipated, eligible
medical services, medical supplies and dependent care expenses normally not
covered by insurance.
•
The funds are deducted from paychecks before federal and state taxes are
calculated, creating a cost savings for employees.
•
Two reimbursement account options available - Medical and Dependent Care
•
You do not have to elect health coverage to be eligible for a flexible spending account
•
If you fail to enroll during your initial enrollment period (within 30 calendar days of
hire), you may enroll during open enrollment
•
You must enroll or re-enroll during open enrollment each year to maintain
participation
Medical Reimbursement Account
•
You can receive a tax benefit on non-reimbursable medical expenses for
yourself or your qualified dependents
•
Some examples include: deductibles, optical expenses, co-payments, out of
network fees, and dental expenses in excess of plan coverage caps
Minimum Deposit per pay period $10
Maximum Annual Deposit $2,500
Dependent Care Account
•
You can receive a tax advantage on expenses incurred for care of a child
under 13 or an older disabled dependent under the IRS definition.
•
You must elect dependent care within 30 calendar days of your start date.
•
If you fail to do so, there is an open enrollment period in late spring of each
year.
•
You must re-enroll each year to maintain this account
Minimum Deposit per pay period: $10
Maximum Annual Deposit: generally $5,000, but varies with tax status
A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
•
VRS is a Hybrid retirement plan (part Defined Contribution and part Defined Benefit).
•
VRS also provides short and long term disability income protection under the Virginia
Sickness and Disability Program.
•
All Employees are required to contribute 5% of their salary toward their retirement. The
contribution is taken as a pre-tax payroll deduction.
•
•
Participants may elect to contribute up to an additional 4% to the retirement plan
Employer mandatory contribution of 1% (up to 2.5% additional based on employee
contribution)
•
Increase contributions online at www.varetire.org, select the Defined Contributions Plans
tab or call 1-877-327-5261.
•
Lifetime pension benefits are based on a formula (age, service dates and salary).
•
Automatic employer-paid Long Term Care through the Long Term Care Group.

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Purchase of Prior Service (VRS)
•
Prior service credit counts toward time needed to become vested and may
increase your future benefit under VRS or allow you to qualify for retirement
at an earlier date.
•
You must be an active member to purchase prior service.
•
Service must not used toward eligibility for or in the calculation of a
retirement benefit from another system.
•
The following are some of the types of prior service which may be
purchased:
–
–
–
–
Full-time salaried federal service
Full-time salaried public service other than previous VRS service
Non-covered service with a VRS-participating employer
VRS refunded service

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Optional Retirement Plans
•
The Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) is a defined contribution pension plan.
•
The plan is based on the level of contributions, investment gains or losses,
retirement age and the retirement income option.
•
Employee makes mandatory 5% contribution per pay period
•
Employer contributes 8.5% per pay period
•
Participant bears all investment risks
•
The following vendors are available - Fidelity, and TIAA-CREF.

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
403(b) – Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan
•
Participants may enroll anytime and assumes investment risk
•
VRS Hybrid participants must first maximize voluntary retirement
contributions to receive employer contribution of $480.00 per year.
•
Contributions payroll deducted on a pre-tax basis for tax-deferred annuities
of participating companies (MetLife, VALIC, TIAA-CREF)
•
The employee or the participating company pays an administrative fee
•
Open account with chosen and complete and submit NOVA’s Salary
Reduction Agreement Form 105-097 to initiate the payroll reduction

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Deferred Compensation Plan 457
•
State’s deferred compensation plan
•
Participants assume investment risk
•
Employer contribution of up to $480.00
•
VRS Hybrid participants must first maximize voluntary retirement
contributions to receive employer contribution
•
Enroll online at www.varetire.org, select the Defined Contribtuion Plans tab
or call 1-877-327-5261

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Tuition Assistance
•
Eligibility after six months of employment with NOVA
•
Coursework Eligibility
–
–
NOVA “free”
External University (Full-time Faculty)
•
Six credits/semester maximum
•
$1900 per fiscal year (External Universities, Workforce Development/CEUs)
•
Passing grade of “C” or better
•
Submit /email 105-043 to AskHR@nvcc.edu

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Worker’s Compensation
•
The Virginia Worker’s Compensation Act covers injuries and illnesses that
arise specifically as a result of an individual's job duties or while on official
College business.
•
Accidents must be reported immediately to your supervisor to ensure
coverage.
•
If medical attention is required, a list of panel physicians is provided to the
employee. Any unauthorized medical treatment will not be covered.
•
All payments for injuries and illnesses are considered to be in a pending
status until a compensability decision is given.

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
•
An employee assistance program (EAP) is offered by the College through
the employee’s health carrier to maintain the health of a business and the
well being of the employees. A wide range of services is offered related to
the quality of work and family life.
•
EAP services offer counseling and referral for problems such as alcohol or
substance abuse, marital or family difficulties, financial problems, and mental
and medical disorders are available.
•
EAP services are confidential and voluntary
•
EAP counselors are available 24/7

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Group Life Insurance
•
The College provides group term life insurance coverage at no cost for salaried
employees. No enrollment forms are required.
•
The amount of coverage is twice the employee's annual salary rounded to the
nearest $1,000 for natural death and four times the rounded annual salary for
accidental death.
•
Your beneficiaries for your life insurance are designated according to state law
in the following order – to your spouse, (if no surviving spouse) to your children
and descendants of deceased children, (if none of the aforementioned) to your
parents equally or to the surviving parent, (if none of the aforementioned) ) to
the duly appointed executor or, administer of your estate, (if none of the
aforementioned) to your next of kin
•
If you would like beneficiary designations different from the order shown above,
you need to fill out a Beneficiary Designation Form (VRS-2)
•
The program is administered through the Virginia Retirement System with
Minnesota Life as the insurance carrier.

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Optional Group Life Insurance
•
Optional supplemental life insurance is available through Minnesota Life for yourself and
eligible family members
•
Employees may purchase up to four times his or her salary
•
Evidence of Insurability required for coverage of family members above option 1
–
–
–
–
Option 1 – An additional 1 times an employee’s annual salary in life insurance coverage
Option 2 – An additional 2 times an employee’s annual salary in life insurance coverage
Option 3 – An additional 3 times an employee’s annual salary in life insurance coverage
Option 4 – An additional 4 times an employee’s annual salary in life insurance coverage
•
Maximum coverage of $750,000
•
Cost of coverage varies depending on level of coverage, age of the employee and the age
of participants
•
Coverage is effective when you sign the enrollment form (VRS-39) if you enroll within 31
days of employment
•
Must return the VRS-39 form either electing or waiving optional coverage to HR within 31
days

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
VSDP Disability
•
VSDP provides state employees with income replacement when they
cannot work because of a partial or total disability. VSDP benefits cover
non-work-related and work-related conditions.
•
Employees must have one year of continuous salaried employment to be
eligible for disability benefits
•
Benefits paid after a 7 calendar day waiting period
•
Income replacement level is based upon length of employment
•
Intermittent use is permitted for chronic conditions with short term disability.

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
VSDP Sick Leave
•
New employees are advanced eight days (64 hours) of sick leave each year if
hired between January 10 and July 9.
•
New employees hired between July 10 and January 9 will be advanced five
days (40 hours) of sick leave upon hire.
•
Sick leave is credited each January 10 thereafter.
•
You may use credited sick leave for absences due to illness or injury, or for
appointments with a physician.
•
This leave does not carry forward into the next year nor is a payoff made for any
unused leave upon termination.
•
This VSDP leave may not be used for family illness unless the leave requested
qualifies as Family Medical Leave Absence.

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
VSDP Family and Personal Leave
•
New employees are advanced four days (32 hours) of family and personal leave
each year if hired between January 10 and July 9.
•
New employees hired between July 10 and January 9 will be advanced two
days (16 hours) of family and personal leave for the remainder of the year.
•
Family and personal leave is credited each January 10 thereafter.
•
Family and personal leave must be pre-approved by your supervisor and may
be used for personal illness, family illness, bereavement or personal business.
•
This leave does not carry forward into the next year nor is a payoff made for any
unused leave upon termination.
•
Prorated for part-time employees

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Traditional Sick Leave
•
The Traditional Sick Leave program is available to new faculty who enrolled
in the ORP or opt out of the VSDP
•
Earn 5 hours per pay period
•
May use 48 hours for a family member

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Annual Leave
•
•
•
9-month faculty members ineligible
Accrual is based on an employee's status and his or her years of state service.
Use is subject to the supervisor's approval
Annual Leave for Twelve-Month Administrative/Professional ,
Twelve-Month Teaching Faculty, and President
Up Front,
Upon Hire
Presidents
Executive/Senior
Administrators
Administrators,
Professional
faculty, 12- month
teaching faculty
120 hours
15 days
96 hours
12 days
84 hours
10.5 days
Accrual
Per Pay
Period
Worked
10 hours
8 hours
7 hours
Maximum
Accrual
Per Year
240 hours
30 days
192 hours
24 days
168 hours
21 days
Maximum
Carry
Forward
Limit
240 hours
30 days
192 hours
24 days
168 hours
21 days
Maximum
Payment
Limit
240 hours
30 days
192 hours
24 days
168 hours
21 days

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
UNUM Long Term Disability
• UNUM Long Term Disability is designed to protect your income
should you become medically unable to work. Upon claim approval,
non-taxable benefit payments begin after 90 days of total disability.
• Not available to VSDP participants
• Premium paid by employee through payroll deduction
• Must enroll within 60 days of employment
• You may: purchase 25%, 40%, or up to 50% coverage of basic
monthly earnings to a maximum benefit of $5000 per month. There
are no offsets for Social Security, Workers Compensation,
Retirement Plans, or individual LTD plans. Benefits are payable up
to age 65.

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Legal Resources
•
Unlimited general advice & consultation, wills & estate matters, traffic
violations, family law, real estate matters, identity theft assistance, etc.
•
Membership cost is $18.00 per month and covers you and your
family’s attorney fees.
•
You must enroll within 60 days of NOVA employment date and remain
in program for 1 year
•
During enrollment you authorize payroll deductions and choose a law
firm from the Legal Resources network.
•
Member is responsible for all non-attorney costs such as filing fees,
court costs, fines, etc.

A/P Faculty 
Teaching Faculty
Employee-Paid Long Term Care
•
Long term care is insurance to prepare for the possibility of needing
assistance in the activities of daily living following a prolonged illness,
disability or injury.
•
You may elect to cover your spouse, parents, and parents-in-law as well
(subject to medical underwriting)
•
Insurance assists you in paying for nursing home care, assisted living
facility care, hospice care, at-home services and community-based care
•
If you apply for long term care insurance within 60 days of your hire date,
your personal coverage will not be subject to underwriting.
•
Genworth is the state carrier for long term care insurance. The cost for long
term care coverage varies with your coverage selection and age

Benefit Provider Resources
Plan or Benefit
Provider Contact Information
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (medical, prescription drug, vision,
hearing, and behavioral health benefits): 800-552-2682 or
www.anthem.com/cova
COVA Care and COVA HDHP
Delta Dental of Virginia - 888-335-8296 or www.deltadentalva.com
Anthem Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 855-223-9277 or
www.anthemeap.com
COVA HealthAware
Aetna (medical, prescription drug, vision, hearing, dental, and behavioral
health benefits): 855-414-1901 or www.covahealthaware.com
Aetna Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 888-238-6232 or
www.covahealthaware.com
Kaiser Permanente (medical, prescription drug, and vision benefits):
800-777-7902, (301) 468-6000 in Washington, D.C. or
http://my.kaiserpermanente.org/mida/commonwealthofvirginia
Kaiser Permanente HMO
Dominion Dental: 888-518-5338
ValueOptions Behavioral Health & Employee Assistance Program (EAP):
866-517-7042
TRICARE Supplement
Association & Society Insurance Corporation (ASI): 866-637-9911
Flexible Spending Accounts
(FSAs)
Anthem FSA: 877-451-7244 or benefitadminsolutions.com/anthem
Benefit Provider Resources (Cont’d)
Plan or Benefit
Provider Contact Information
Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
www.varetire.org
Virginia Sickness and Disability
Plan (VSDP)
http://www.varetire.org/
Group Life Insurance
http://www.varetire.org/Retirees/Insurance/GrpLife/Index.asp
VALIC: https://www.valic.com
TIAA-CREF: https://www.tiaa-cref.org
MetLife: https://www.metlife.com
403(b) vendors
457 Deferred Compensation Plan
ICMA-RC: http://www.varetirement.org/dcp.html
TIAA-CREF: https://www.tiaa-cref.org or 1-800-842-2252
Optional Retirement Plans
Legal Resources
Genworth (Long Term Care)
Fidelity: www.fidelity.com
1-800-728-5768 or http://www.legalresources.net/
1-866-859-6060 or www.genworth.com/cov
Contact AskHR@nvcc.edu if you have any questions
or need additional information