Academic Specialist Manual

8.2 Optional Benefits

Eligibility
Academic specialists may select the AD&D Program within 30 days of initial appointment. Coverage is provided if death or dismemberment results from accidental cause. All academic specialists appointed full-time or part-time for nine months or more are eligible to participate.

Coverage
Coverage may be selected for the academic specialist and the family, if desired, in one of the varying amounts as shown in the brochure. Beneficiaries are designated by the individual and may be changed at any time.

Cost
Cost of the various coverages offered is described in the brochure available in the Human Resources Office.

8.2.2 Dental Plan

Academic specialists appointed 50 percent time or more for nine months or more and their eligible dependents may be covered by a dental plan. The benefit can be retroactive to the appointment date if a new employee enrolls within 30 days of the appointment. Failure to enroll during the initial 30-day eligibility period will result in the academic specialist having to wait until the next annual open enrollment period. This coverage is available to official retirees and their eligible dependents or survivors.

Coverage 
Dental plan coverage is available under a traditional plan with Delta Dental or Aetna Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO).The Delta Dental Plan covers fifty percent of the usual, customary, and reasonable cost of preventive, diagnostic, restorative, prosthodontics and orthodontic services. The plan provides an individual maximum of $600 per calendar year for covered charges. Orthodontic coverage is limited to those under 19 years of age and is subject to an individual lifetime maximum of $600.

The Aetna (DMO) is a managed care dental plan that uses primary care dentists to lower the cost. Benefits are provided with a fixed dollar copay. Some benefits, such as diagnostic, preventive, and minor restorative are covered at no cost to the member. There are no deductibles, annual maximums, or lifetime maximums. Orthodontic services are covered for children and adults with a $1,500 copay.

Cost
Premiums are fully paid by the University for full-time academic specialists for the Delta Dental Plan. There will be a premium deduction for the Aetna DMO plan. There may be premium deduction for part-time employees depending on the percent of employment and the number of persons being covered.

8.2.3 Employee-Paid Life

An academic specialist may select employee-paid life within 30 days of initial appointment or by furnishing evidence of insurability during Open Enrollment.

Eligibility 
Academic specialists appointed 50 percent time or more for nine months or more are eligible to enroll for life coverage.

Coverage 
Coverage may be selected in increments ranging from 1-8 times an academic specialist's base annual earnings up to the maximum of $2,000,000.  Rates for this coverage vary depending on age. Optional dependent coverage (for spouse or Other Eligible Individual and children, if any) may also be selected.

Benefits are payable to the designated beneficiary in the event of death from any cause while the plan is in force. Beneficiaries are designated by the academic specialist and may be changed at any time.

Cost
Costs vary according to the plan selected; rates are subject to future group experience.

8.2.4 Health Plan Coverage

If academic specialists enroll in health plan coverage within 30 days of initial appointment to an eligible status or during an Open Enrollment, academic specialists and their eligible dependents are covered for health plan services. Health plan coverage is available under a preferred provider organization (PPO), health maintenance organization (HMO) or a High-deductible Health Plan with a Health Savings Account. Coverage is currently provided by Community Blue (PPO), Blue Care Network (HMO) or Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP). The benefit can be retroactive to the appointment date if a new employee enrolls within 60 days of the appointment. Specific coverage details under these plans differ. In general, the following apply:

Eligibility
Academic specialists appointed 50% time or more for nine months or more are entitled to enroll themselves and their eligible dependents. Failure to enroll during the initial 30-day eligibility period will result in the academic specialist having to wait until the next annual open enrollment period.

Coverage
Plan details can be found at http://www.hr.msu.edu/benefits/healthcare/index.html

Prescription Drugs
The prescription drug plan is a co-pay plan for generic or brand drugs and is administered through Caremark. Caremark has a large network of over 51,000 participating retail pharmacies, including some of the largest drug store chains. Employees may choose to purchase their prescriptions at a participating retail pharmacy, at an MSU pharmacy (Olin Health Center or the MSU Clinical Center pharmacies) or through Caremark's mail order program.

Caremark Copays - View Caremark Copay Chart

Cost
The University provides a monthly contribution toward the premium for health coverage for eligible academic specialists. If an additional premium is required, it will be deducted from the academic specialist's paycheck. The University does not make a contribution during periods when an academic specialist does not receive a check.

8.2.5 Waiver of Health Plan Coverage

An academic specialist may elect to waive MSU's health plan coverage in exchange for cash payment if covered by another group health plan (e.g., have health care coverage through their spouse or another employer) that adequately meets health care needs. The waiver period is January 1 through December 31 with payment to be received the following February.

Eligibility 
Academic specialists appointed 50% time or more for nine months or more are eligible to waive MSU's health plan coverage within 30 days of appointment or during the annual open enrollment period. A completed form is not required each year during open enrollment to continue the waiver. 

Cost 
The University provides up to a $600 cash payment the following February to the academic specialist. Individuals accrue points based on their employment percent and the number of months enrolled in the program. The payment is also prorated for those newly hired, going on an unpaid leave of absence, or terminating employment. The payment is considered taxable income.

8.2.6 Flexible Spending Account

Flexible Spending Accounts enable you to save money by paying for some expenses in pre-tax dollars. Here you'll find everything you need to make informed choices about your Flexible Spending Account Enrollment.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (Dependent Care FSA)

The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (Dependent Care FSA) is a benefit to help you meet your dependent care expenses, such as; child care, elder care or disabled dependent care. It enables you to save money, on a calendar year basis, by paying for dependent care expenses in pre-tax dollars.

The annual maximum reimbursement for Dependent Care FSA is $5000 per family.

 

8.2.7 Health Flexible Spending Account (Health FSA)

The Health Flexible Spending Account (Health FSA) program is a cost effective way to pay for medical and dental plan deductibles/copayments, eyeglasses, contact lenses, orthodontics and other health-related expenses that are not covered by insurance. It enables you to save money, on a calendar year basis, by paying for health related expenses in pre-tax dollars.

The annual maximum reimbursement for Health FSA is $2,500 per eligible employee for 2015, and $2,550 per eligible employee for 2016.

For plan changes and vendor information, please see Flexible Spending Account on the HR website.

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