UT Dallas Faculty Handbook

Faculty Benefits at UT Dallas

A complete summary of the 2009-2010 UT System benefits is available on the UT System website.

Insurance and Retirement Eligibility

As an employee of The University of Texas System at Dallas appointed half-time or more for four and one-half months or more, you are eligible for participation in a comprehensive group benefits program and eligible to receive State medical cost premium sharing. The group benefits program includes: a self-insured medical plan; dental, vision care, term life, and personal accident insurance; long-term care; short-term and long-term disability; and UTFLEX, a pre-tax reimbursement account. Information about these plans is available on-line at http://www.utsystem.edu/benefits/.

Basic Coverage

UT is required by State statute to provide full-time employees a mandated benefits package known as Basic Coverage that includes:

• UT Select Medical Plan w/Prescription Drug Coverage (subscriber only)
• $10,000 Basic Life Insurance (subscriber only)
• $10,000 Personal Accident Insurance (subscriber only)

The State of Texas and UT pay the Basic Coverage premiums.

A new full-time employee is automatically covered from the first of the month. This package of coverage may be changed by the employee to any other coverage desired during the first 31 days of employment or during the annual enrollment period. Note: To enroll in some coverages after the first 31 days, evidence of insurability may be required (see below).

Part-time employees are not automatically enrolled in the Basic Coverage. A new part-time employee must elect the basic coverage or any optional insurance coverage. Insurance coverage for part-time employees is only provided when a part-time employee elects coverage.

Evidence of Insurability

Evidence of Insurability (EOI) is the documentation of a person’s historical health events. EOI is used by insurance companies to determine whether a person meets the definition of good health. Following an employee’s initial 31-day benefit election period, an EOI application is required when adding employee medical coverage, adding previously eligible dependents, increasing employee life insurance, electing optional spouse life insurance and adding long-term or short-term disability. Because of this health requirement, you should carefully consider your initial choices.

Premium Sharing

The amount the State of Texas and UT pays for you and your dependents is called Premium Sharing. This amount is set by the Legislature every biennium. The level of Premium Sharing an employee receives depends on the medical coverage level and percent appointment.

The State premium sharing program provides a contribution toward your monthly medical insurance premium. There are two Premium Sharing categories: Full-time (working 40 hours/week) and Part-time (working less than 40 hours/week but at least 20 hours/week). For full-time employees, the State pays all of the employee medical premium cost and 50% of the dependent’s cost. For part-time employees, the State pays 50% of the employee medical premium cost and 25% of the dependent’s cost.

If an employee is eligible to waive medical coverage, one half of the employee only Premium Sharing level may be used to purchase optional coverage. Other than as part of the basic package, this is the only time Premium Sharing dollars can be used for group term life, personal accident insurance, or vision care.

Premium Cost

For Coverage and Cost see https://utdirect.utexas.edu/nlogon/sgwww/myUTBenefits/sgpncost.WBX

Hospitalization and Medical Insurance - UT Select

The UT Select plan is a self-insured health plan. It includes some of the benefits of an HMO such as co-payments for office visits and preventive care, in addition to the valued benefits of a PPO, such as freedom to receive treatment without referrals. Like a PPO, UT Select also includes Out-of-Network benefits.

UT Select is administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas, which has an extensive provider network throughout Texas. Members have access to more than 8,000 hospitals and 700,000 BCBSTX participating providers nationwide and in 168 international locations. BCBSTX providers can be located on the internet at http://www.bcbstx.com/ut/.

UT Select FY 2010 Benefit Summary

A summary of the 2009-2010 UT Select benefits is available at http://utsystem.edu/benefits/ae/pubs/medical_summary.pdf.

UT Select Prescription Drug Program

Medco Health administers the UT Select prescription drug program for the 2009-2010 plan year. You are automatically enrolled in the prescription drug program if you are covered by the UT Select medical plan. The prescription plan is a three-tier program with a $100/year per person deductible. A summary of the prescription drug plan is available at http://utsystem.edu/benefits/ae/pubs/medical_pres_ataglance.pdf.

Dental Insurance

The University offers two dental plans: Delta Dental, a self-funded indemnity plan, and Assurant Dental, a dental maintenance organization.

The Delta Dental plan utilizes a network of dentists who provide a discount for services to U.T. Dallas employees. The Delta plan features a $25 deductible per person per benefit year and pays 100% of approved charges, up to $1,250 per person per year, for diagnostic and preventive procedures when a network dentist is used. Reimbursement for other services is provided based on reasonable and customary fees. Orthodontics has a lifetime maximum of $1,250 per person.

The Assurant Dental plan offers a comprehensive managed care dental program through a network of dentists and specialists. Assurant Dental features include no deductible or claim forms, no annual maximum limitations, no pre-existing condition exclusions, orthodontia covered for adults and children, and co-payment charges for covered services. Selection of Assurant Dental is a one year commitment. Changes between dental carriers may be made only during the annual enrollment period.

Employees who do not elect dental coverage, within 31 days after initial employment may apply for coverage during the annual enrollment period (July of each plan year) or after a change in family status.

Vision Care

The vision care plan is administered by Superior Vision Plan. It is an optional, voluntary plan, and you must elect coverage. The plan is separate from any medical plan in which you are a participant and provides the following benefits: an eye examination every 12 months, corrective lenses as required every 12 months, a frame as required every 12 months, medically necessary contact lenses in lieu of other lenses or frames. For further plan details, consult http://utsystem.edu/benefits/ae/pubs/vision_guide.pdf.

Voluntary Term Life

UT provides $10,000 Basic Life Insurance as part of your medical coverage. You may elect additional life insurance for yourself and your dependents under the Voluntary Life plan.

The voluntary term coverage is based upon the employee's choice from one to six times the nine month academic contract amount. The employee may also elect to enroll family members for limited amounts (spouse-$10,000/$15,000/$40,000; each dependent child - $10,000).

The UT policy offers such features as annuity payments to the beneficiary, permanent disability provisions, and conversion privileges. The annual renewal update for Group Term Life is September 1st of each year. Your coverage will automatically update based upon your age and earnings as of September 1. As with other coverage, if enrollment is not within 31 days of initial employment, evidence of insurability (proof of good health) is required. Also, should you choose to later increase your coverage, evidence of insurability is required.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

This plan provides benefits in the event of an accidental death or certain types of dismemberment occurring as the result of an accident. Basic coverage of $10,000 is provided to employees enrolled in a medical plan. Faculty members may elect coverage in any multiple of $10,000 between $10,000 and $1,000,000, but not to exceed ten times nine month academic salary. If coverage is not elected in the first 31 days of employment, it may be added during the annual enrollment period (July of each plan year). Dependent coverage may also be elected in any multiple of $10,000 between $10,000 and $500,000 within certain limits. Evidence of Insurability is not required of a late enrollment or for an increase in coverage.

Short Term Disability Insurance

This plan provides income protection should you become disabled due to sickness or non-occupational injury. After a 30-day elimination period or after you exhaust your sick leave, whichever is longer, you are eligible to receive 60% of your covered salary. Benefits under the disability program are offset by disability benefits received from other sources and your disability pay, including other sources of income cannot exceed 60% of your covered salary. Like Term Insurance, unless you enroll within 31 days of your appointment, evidence of insurability is required.

Long Term Disability Insurance

If you are disabled by a serious illness or accident and unable to work for 90 days or more, Long Term Disability will make up the difference between what Social Security will pay you and 60% of your basic salary (up to a monthly maximum).

Long Term Care

Long Term Care is offered to University employees to provide funds for services needed when people are no longer capable of caring for themselves. This could include a variety of services, from assistance in the home with day-to-day activities, to unique and special attention in a nursing home. The program is designed to provide funds for the services that are most appropriate and desired by the insured.

Continuation Coverage Option

Under federal law, certain employees, spouses, or dependents of an employee covered under the group medical, dental or vision plan may qualify for continuation coverage. If you become ineligible for medical, dental or vision coverage due to an event such as termination of employment, reduction in the number of hours worked, divorce, or other qualifying event, you may become eligible for continuation coverage for an 18 or 36 month period following the occurrence of the event. To continue coverage under the COBRA act, you must obtain an application from the Office of Human Resources.

Teacher Retirement

The State of Texas requires that all persons employed on at least a half-time basis by a state-supported educational institution be enrolled in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas or the Optional Retirement program.

Participation in the TRS defined benefit plan requires a deduction from your monthly paycheck and a monthly State contribution. TRS provides several insurance benefits free to its members, including death and survivor benefits, and disability retirement benefits. Each of the benefit plans offers options that include several manners in which payment can be made. Members of TRS may also purchase credit for military or out-of-state service that may be applied toward retirement. You may retire with a minimum of five years' service under TRS. However, to be eligible for retiree insurance you must have age and years of service equal 80 or have 10 years UT service and be age 65. Should you leave prior to retirement, you may withdraw your deposits plus accumulated interest. However, a withdrawal of funds removes eligibility for retiree status.

Full-time faculty members may elect the Optional Retirement Program in lieu of the Teacher Retirement System. The Optional Retirement Program is a defined contribution plan that is more portable than TRS. Participants have a vested interest after participation of a year and one day. Eligible employees are solely responsible for selecting a carrier from a list of approved investment companies. The University does not recommend any one particular company as there are many eligible companies with a great variety of programs and options. Contributions to the Optional Retirement Program are tax-deferred. Enrollment in this program must occur within 90 days of TRS eligibility or membership in the Teacher Retirement System is permanent.

Worker's Compensation Insurance

Worker's Compensation Insurance provides for employees who are subject to personal injury or exposed to certain occupational diseases on the job. The coverage is provided without cost to you.

Unemployment Compensation Insurance

All University employees have been covered since January 1, 1972, by Unemployment Compensation Insurance. This coverage protects the employee in the event of a layoff, termination of funds, etc. This benefit is completely paid for by The University of Texas System and the State.

Social Security

Social Security coverage is provided to all employees of the University. It provides both a retirement benefit and survivor's benefit should the employee die before retirement.

Faculty Liability

Pursuant to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Titles, Chapter 104.003, the State is liable for and will pay actual damages, up to $100,000 to a single person and $300,000 for a single occurrence in the case of personal injury, death, or deprivation of a right, privilege, or immunity; and $10,000 for a single occurrence of damage to property.

Under the statute, the State is not liable to the extent that the damages are recoverable under a contract of insurance or under a plan of self-insurance authorized by the statute (e.g., the System Plan for Professional Malpractice Self Insurance).

The limits on state liability provided above do not apply if the state liability is based on Section 104.002(b) or the person for whose acts the state is liable is a member of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.

It is, therefore, imperative that should a person be served, both the Provost and the Vice President for Business Affairs be notified immediately.