Applicants for USPS positions who claim veterans’ status are to be given preference at each stage of the recruitment process.

In selecting candidates for interviews, those qualified for veterans’ preference should be interviewed if they meet preferred qualifications or if they are considered equally qualified to those who are selected for interviews. 

If the applicant claiming veterans’ preference meets the minimum qualifications but has not been selected for the interview, have another employee in the same unit review the veteran’s application to compare his/her application with others that have been selected for the interview.   In performing this second review you are giving this applicant special consideration at this step of the selection process, which is required under Florida Statute.

 When making the hiring decision, if there are two equally qualified candidates and one is a veteran and the other is not, the applicant claiming veterans’ preference should be selected.  When a final decision has been reached, the hiring authority MUST send notification to all veterans who applied and were not selected (even if not interviewed), informing them that the job has been filled.

Questions about veterans’ preference or whether an applicant has a valid veterans’ preference claim on file should be directed to James Lewis at extension 4-5705.

Minors seeking employment must have reached their 16th birthday prior to being employed by the University.  Exception to this provision for 14 and 15 year-olds may be approved by Human Resources.

If the hiring authority wishes to hire a minor under the age of sixteen, he/she is to submit a request to and receive approval from Human Resources prior to employing the minor.  The request should include the minor’s age, rate of pay, nature of work to be performed, period of employment, and hours of work.

When employing a minor (anyone under the age of 18), the supervisor is responsible for determining that the minor has a proof of age document on file, that the minor is of age for the occupation for which employed, and that the minor conforms to the hours of employment specified in Florida’s Child Labor Law.  When school is not in session minors may work 40 hours per week.

For additional information on employing minors, contact Sandi Conway at 974-5701.

Employees out on an approved leave of absence without pay may elect to continue or cancel their benefits while on leave.  To make an election to continue or cancel benefits, employees should complete a “Leave of Absence Acknowledgement” form, prior to going on leave, which can be obtained from their Benefits Office.

Employees, who wish to continue benefits while on leave without pay, should contact the Payroll Office at 974-7955 to make payment arrangements.

Employees, who wish to cancel their insurance while on leave without pay, will have thirty-one (31) days from the date they return from leave to re-enroll in benefits. If an employee does not re-enroll within 31 days of their return from leave, they will not be eligible to re-enroll in benefits until the next Open Enrollment period.

Please contact Human Resources / Benefits Office at 974-2970 if you have any questions.

USF employees enrolled in benefits offered through the State Group Insurance Program have appeal and grievance rights as specified in Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, and plan documents.  It is important to note that the rights originate with the individual, and not an agency or employing entity. 

The following is provided as a summary of the specified steps and procedures to be followed:

Eligibility and Enrollment Appeals

For an Enrollee or Active Employee who desires to contest a decision by the Department of Management Services (DMS) or People First, the Benefits Administrator, regarding enrollment, eligibility, effective date, insurance premiums, deduction for an insurance coverage or benefit, or deductions or reimbursement made for Expense Reimbursement Plans, the following process is applicable:

1. The Enrollee or Active Employee must request a reconsideration of a decision or intended decision in writing, providing additional documentation to People First.  This will be considered a Level I Appeal, and is to be mailed to:

People First Service Center
Benefits Administration - Appeals
Post Office Box 6830
Tallahassee, FL 32314 

2. People First, after reconsideration, will provide a written notice to the Enrollee or Active Employee of the decision or intended decision resulting from the Level I Appeal within 30 days.  
    

3. Should the Enrollee or Active Employee receive an unfavorable ruling and wish to pursue the matter further, they must request a reconsideration of a decision or intended decision in writing, providing additional documentation.  This will be considered a Level II Appeal, and is to be mailed to:       

Department of Management Services
Division of State Group Insurance
Post Office Box 5450
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-5450

4.       The Division of State Group Insurance, after consideration, will provide a written notice to the Enrollee or Active Employee of the decision or intended decision resulting from the Level II Appeal within 2 – 3 weeks.

5.        Enrollees or Active Employees who desire to contest the decision or intended decision pursuant to Chapter 120, Florida Statues, shall submit a petition for an administrative hearing.  Such petition must be received by the Department within twenty-one (21) calendar days after notice of the decision or intended decision is received by the Enrollee. Petitions are to be mailed to:

       Office of General Counsel
Department of Management Services
4050 Esplanade Way
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0949

6.        Enrollees or Active Employees who dispute the facts upon which the Department's decision is based, shall submit a request for formal hearing that sets forth the facts in dispute and complies with the requirements of Rule 28-106.201, Florida Administrative Code (http://fac.dos.state.fl.us/faconline/chapter28.pdf).

7.       Enrollees or Active Employees who do not dispute the facts upon which the Department's decision is based, shall submit a request for an informal hearing that complies with the requirements of Rule 28-106.301, Florida Administrative Code (http://fac.dos.state.fl.us/faconline/chapter28.pdf).

Coverage Appeals - PPO

For an Enrollee who desires to contest a decision by the Department's third party administrator regarding coverage for benefits and services provided through the State Employees' PPO Plan, the following process is applicable:

1.       The Enrollee must first request a reconsideration of the coverage decision in writing from the third party administrator within 90 days of the denial of benefits.  This will be considered a Level I Appeal and are to be mailed to:

 For benefits or claims other than prescription drug claims:

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc.
P.O. Box 2896
Jacksonville, FL 32232-0079 

For prescription drug claims:

Caremark Inc.
Appeals Department, MC 109
P. O. Box 52084
Phoenix, Arizona, 85072 -2084 

2.        Upon receipt of an unfavorable written reconsideration decision from the third party administrator, an Enrollee who desires to further contest the decision must file a written request with the Department within sixty (60) calendar days of receipt of the decision. Such request must set forth the basis upon which the Enrollee disputes the decision, and must include a copy of the notice from the third party administrator plus any medical or other documentation in support of the Enrollee's position.  This will be considered a Level II Appeal and is to be mailed to:

Department of Management Services
Division of State Group Insurance
Post Office Box 5450
Tallahassee, Florida 32314-5450 

3.       The Division of State Group Insurance will provide a written notice to the Enrollee of the decision or intended decision regarding the Level II Appeal.

4.        Enrollees who desire to contest the Department's decision or intended decision pursuant to Chapter 120, Florida Statues, shall submit a petition for an administrative hearing.  Such petition must be received by the Department within twenty-one (21) calendar days after notice of the decision or intended decision is received by the Enrollee. Petitions shall be sent to:

Office of General Counsel
Department of Management Services
4050 Esplanade Way    
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0949

5.       Enrollees who dispute the facts upon which the Department's decision is based, shall submit a request for formal hearing that sets forth the facts in dispute and complies with the requirements of Rule 28-106.201, Florida Administrative Code.

6.       Enrollees who do not dispute the facts upon which the Department's decision is based, shall submit a request for an informal hearing that complies with the requirements of Rule 28-106.301, Florida Administrative Code.

Coverage Appeals – HMOs and/or Supplemental Insurance Plans

For an Enrollee or Active Employee who desires to contest a decision by a Health Maintenance Organization plan or a supplemental insurance plan, the following process is applicable:

1.        The Enrollee or Active Employee must request a reconsideration of a decision or intended decision in writing, providing additional documentation directly from the health plan or supplemental vendor.  A copy of each HMO’s brochure can be accessed on the People First website at https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/logon.htm.

2.        Each HMO and vendor has its own grievance process and procedures which are spelled out in either its Certificate of Coverage or brochure which follow requirements contained in Florida Statute.

All provide for written notification of results, as well as the process for escalating the grievance beyond the HMO or supplemental vendor