Graduate Assistant
Health Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Open Enrollment for GA’s for Fall Semester is closed.
Open Enrollment for GA’s for Spring Semester will begin in December.
Click
here for Blue Cross/Blue Shield website.
You must enroll at the beginning of Fall semester and again at the
beginning of Spring semester. One time annual enrollment is not
available at this time, so you must enroll each semester.
One benefit of being a
Graduate Assistant (GA) is eligibility to receive a subsidy from the
University to help
offset part of the cost of medical insurance premiums.
Q:
Who do I contact if I have questions not
covered in these FAQ’s?
A: For questions
about:
1.
Getting a GA appointment.
Contact the
Graduate School. To be
appointed as a GA you must meet the
requirements of the Graduate School.
2.
The USF Student Medical Insurance Plan in general
(what is covered, how the plan works, how to file a claim, etc.),
contact the Student Health Services Insurance Office at 1-813-974-5407
or
insurance@shs.usf.edu.
Marisol Amarante-Hernandez administers the Student Medical Insurance
program.
3.
The GA subsidy or your eligibility for the GA subsidy,
contact Le’Danjeanette Frazier in Human Resources at 1-813-974-2970 or
lfrazier@admin.usf.edu.
4.
Payroll deduction,
contact
Laurel Vance in USF Payroll at 1-813-974-4905 or
lvance@admin.usf.edu.
5.
Enrollment.
The
Student Insurance Group provides enrollment services for
BlueCross/BlueShield of Florida. If you have additional questions about
enrollment that have not been answered by the USF Student Health
Services Insurance Office or Human Resources, contact the Student
Insurance Group directly at 1-866-931-9560.
6.
Your
individual coverage (for
example, questions regarding your coverage for an upcoming medical
procedure) or for information on continuing your insurance coverage
after your GA Appointment ends or after you graduate, contact
BlueCross/BlueShield of Florida
Member Services directly
at
1-800-664-5295.
Q:
Who provides the insurance?
A: BlueCross /
BlueShield of Florida.
Q:
How much does the medical insurance cost?
A: For a USF
student the cost is $1,364 annually or $519 for Fall semester and $845
for Spring/Summer. The University will pay a subsidy to offset a
portion of the cost for eligible GA’s.
Q:
What is the GA subsidy?
A: The GA subsidy
is money USF pays to the insurance company on behalf of eligible GA’s to
help offset the cost of their medical insurance premiums. The amount of
the subsidy was negotiated as part of the
Collective Bargaining Agreement between the University and Graduate
Assistants United. There are 2 tiers of subsidy payments: (1) for GA’s
with at least a .25 FTE (10 hours per week) appointment and (2) for GA’s
with at least a .50 FTE (20 hours per week) appointment. If you qualify
for the subsidy, the University will make the following contributions
toward the cost of your premiums:
|
Student |
Total |
.50 GA Portion |
.50 Subsidy |
.25 GA Portion |
.25 Subsidy |
|
Fall Premium (8/18/08 -1/4/09) |
$519.00 |
$69.00 |
$450.00 |
$219.00 |
$300.00 |
|
Spring/Summer Premium
(1/5/09-8/17/09) |
$845.00 |
$115.00 |
$730.00 |
$360.00 |
$485.00 |
|
Total Annual Premium |
$1,364.00 |
$184.00 |
$1,180.00
|
$579.00 |
$785.00 |
To receive the full
subsidy you must remain eligible for the entire semester of coverage.
The University will not make a contribution toward “Summer only”
coverage. New GA’s who select “Summer only” coverage are responsible
for paying the entire premium for that term.
Q:
How do I know if I am eligible for the GA subsidy?
A: If you are a
GA in good standing (including taking the required number of credit
hours and maintaining the required GPA in your academic program) with a
job code of 9181, 9182, 9183, 9184, 9185 or 9550 and an appointment of
at least .25 FTE (10 work hours per week), you are eligible for a USF
subsidy of $785 per year. If your appointment is at least .50 FTE (20
hours per week), you are eligible for the USF subsidy of $1,180 per year
(see above for subsidy amounts by semester). You must maintain
eligibility throughout each semester for which you are enrolled for the
insurance to receive the full subsidy for that semester. You must sign
up during Open Enrollment. If you miss Open Enrollment, you will have
to wait until the next Open Enrollment period (next semester) to sign up
for insurance and receive the subsidy.
Q:
How do I enroll for medical insurance and get the University subsidy?
A: If you meet
the eligibility requirements,
sign up during Open Enrollment at the website of the Student
Insurance Group. The Student Insurance Group administers the
enrollment of the USF Student Medical Insurance Plan on behalf of
BlueCross/BlueShield of Florida. Click on “Graduate Assistant
Enrollment Application” to
enroll. You must have an Offer Letter for your GA appointment. You
will be asked questions about your job code and FTE (the answers are at
the beginning of your Offer Letter). You must have a Social Security
Number. If you do not have a Social Security Number, you must have
applied for one at the Social Security Administration and you must have
gone to USF Human Resources to complete your new hire paperwork (Right
Start) before you will be able to enroll for the medical insurance.
Your eligibility for the subsidy will be verified by the USF Division of
Human Resources and the Graduate School once you have applied. If you
are not eligible for the subsidy, you will be notified by email (make
sure your email address is correct when you enroll in the insurance).
Graduate students who are not eligible for the subsidy may purchase the
insurance by paying the premium in full.
Q:
What’s covered by the USF Student Medical Insurance Plan? How can I
find out more about the Plan (what doctors I can see, what deductibles
are included, etc.)?
A: You can get
more information about the Student Medical Insurance Plan by:
1.
Visiting
the Student Health Services
website where you’ll also find the dates of informational sessions
for students, which you may attend.
2.
Reviewing
the USF Student Medical Insurance Plan
brochure.
3.
Contacting
the Student Health Services Insurance Office at 1-813-974-5407 or
insurance@shs.usf.edu.
4.
Visiting the
website of the BlueCross/BlueShield Student Insurance Group
or contacting them directly at
1-866-931-9560.
Q. Does
the policy cover birth control?
A. Yes. Birth control
is covered by the Student Medical Insurance plan under the $1,000
Prescription Drugs Benefit. There is a $20 copay for Generic and $35 for
Brand Name.
Q:
Can the GA subsidy be reduced?
A: Yes. A
portion of the subsidy is paid to the insurance company biweekly. If
your GA appointment falls below .50 FTE (20 hours per week) but remains
at .25 FTE (10 hours per week) or above, your subsidy will be reduced to
the .25 FTE amount. If you fall below .25 FTE, the subsidy will be
discontinued, and you will have to pay the balance remaining in full to
Blue Cross/Blue Shield to maintain your insurance coverage.
Q:
Can the GA subsidy be discontinued?
A: Yes. The GA
subsidy will be discontinued if you become ineligible because:
1.
Your GA
Appointment terminates;
2.
Your GA
Appointment is reduced to less than .25 FTE (10 hours)
3.
You
complete the hours specified for completion of the degree requirements
of the program in which you are enrolled; or
4.
You do not
pay your portion of the insurance premium when it is due.
Q:
I work in two departments (10 hours in each). Do I qualify for the
higher .50 FTE subsidy?
A: As long as
your Appointments in one or more eligible job codes add up to .50 FTE
(20 hours per week), you qualify for the higher subsidy amount.
Q:
If I had a .25 appointment now and later in the semester I got another
.25 appointment, would my subsidy amount increase?
A. Only if that
change occurs before the end of Open Enrollment for that semester. If
you are enrolled in the insurance and your additional
appointment paperwork has been submitted to Human Resources by the end
of Open Enrollment for that semester (and you meet all eligibility
requirements), your subsidy will reflect your new status. Appointment
paperwork submitted to HR after the close of Open Enrollment will not
increase your subsidy amount for that semester (it may increase your
subsidy for the following semester, if your appointment continues for
the next semester). Your status on the last day of Open Enrollment
determines your subsidy amount for that semester. Your appointment
status is reviewed each pay period and at the start of each semester.
At any point in the semester your subsidy amount can be decreased due to
changes in your GA appointment status (see above).
Q:
When do I enroll?
A. During the
Open Enrollment period at the beginning of the Fall and Spring
semesters. You must enroll at the beginning of Fall semester and again
at the beginning of Spring semester. One time annual enrollment is
not available at this time, so you must enroll each semester.
Enrollment is allowed during Open Enrollment periods only,
unless you experience a qualifying status change (see below). Summer
Open Enrollment is for new students only.
Q:
When can I make changes to my coverage?
A: Changes
outside of an Open Enrollment period may occur only if you experience a
“qualifying status change” which is defined as one of the following:
1. Adding
a new spouse or dependent child. You must make the changes to your
coverage within 31 days of the marriage, birth, or adoption.
2. Enrolling
as a new or transfer student. You must make the changes to your
coverage within 31 days of the date you enrolled at the University.
3. Coverage
under another medical insurance policy ends (for example, your spouse
had insurance from his/her job and that coverage ends). You must make
the changes within 31 days of the loss of coverage.
Q:
What is the coverage period for the insurance?
A. The 2008-2009
medical insurance policy is in effect from the “Effective Date”, which
is August 18, 2008, through August 17, 2009. Coverage for students,
spouses and dependent children will begin on the Effective Date of the
coverage period elected. You will only be covered for the semester in
which you enroll for the coverage.
Q.
Do I have to wait until an Open Enrollment period to sign up?
A. Yes, unless
you experience a qualifying status change (see above).
Q.
What happens if I don’t sign up during the Open Enrollment period?
A. You will have
to wait until the next Open Enrollment period (next semester) to sign up
for insurance, and, if you qualify, to receive the subsidy. No subsidy
is available with Summer only enrollment.
Q:
Do I sign up each semester for my benefits?
A: Yes. You must
sign up for coverage during Open Enrollment at the beginning of each
semester (Fall and Spring/Summer). Annual enrollment is not available
at this time.
Q:
My spouse is a graduate student too. What should we do?
A: You should
each sign up, separately. You will save the most money under the USF
Student Medical Insurance Plan if you each select “single” coverage
rather than “employee/spouse” coverage. If you are both GA’s and you
both qualify for the subsidy, the University will contribute to both of
your insurance premiums.
Q:
Will my department have to confirm my eligibility for the subsidy with a
form or a letter?
A: No. Your
eligibility for the subsidy is determined by your status in the Human
Resources (HR) GEMS computer system. You are entered into GEMS when HR
receives a copy of your signed Offer Letter and your appointment status
form (ASF) from your department. All new employees should visit HR on
or before your first day of work, so you can complete the new hire
paperwork necessary to get you on the payroll (we call this “Right
Start”). Bring a copy of your Offer Letter with you when you come. HR
is located on the second floor in the Student Services Building in SVC
2172. Once you are officially entered into GEMS, your eligibility for
the medical insurance subsidy will be verified automatically. You can
only be appointed as a GA if you meet the
requirements of the Graduate School and your academic department.
Q:
How do I pay my portion of the insurance premium?
A: You may pay
your portion either (1) in a lump sum by credit card directly to the
insurance company when you enroll on-line, or (2) by payroll deduction.
If you choose payroll deduction, installment payments will be deducted
from six (6) of your paychecks during Fall 2008 semester and six (6) of
your paychecks during Spring 2009 semester to cover your portion of the
premium. You will choose how you want to pay your portion of the
premium (lump sum or payroll deduction) when you enroll for the
insurance.
Q:
How does payroll deduction work for my medical insurance?
A: Your insurance
premium payment will be deducted automatically from your bi-weekly
paycheck. The deductions will be taken from six (6) paychecks in the
Fall and six (6) paychecks in the Spring. A
complete schedule of payroll deduction dates and amounts is below.
Payroll deduction is only available to GA’s eligible for the subsidy.
If you cease to be eligible for the GA subsidy, you will no longer be
able to pay your share of the premium by payroll deduction, even if you
are employed at the University. At that point you would be required to
pay the balance of the premium in full to the insurance company in order
to maintain your medical insurance coverage.
Q:
How much will the payroll deductions be and when do they begin?
A. The six (6)
Fall payroll deductions will begin with the paycheck you receive on
October 10, 2008. The six (6) Spring
payroll deductions will begin with the paycheck you receive on February
27, 2009. The deductions are
post-tax. Here is a complete schedule of payroll deduction dates and
amounts for single coverage:
|
Pay Date |
.50 FTE |
.25 FTE |
|
Fall 2008 |
Payroll Deduction |
Payroll Deduction |
|
10/10/08 |
$11.50 |
$36.50 |
|
10/24/08 |
$11.50 |
$36.50 |
|
11/07/08 |
$11.50 |
$36.50 |
|
11/21/08 |
$11.50 |
$36.50 |
|
12/05/08 |
$11.50 |
$36.50 |
|
12/19/08 |
$11.50 |
$36.50 |
|
Total |
$69.00 |
$219.00 |
|
Spring/Summer 2009 |
|
|
|
02/27/09 |
$19.17 |
$60.00 |
|
03/13/09 |
$19.17 |
$60.00 |
|
03/27/09 |
$19.17 |
$60.00 |
|
04/10/09 |
$19.17 |
$60.00 |
|
04/24/09 |
$19.17 |
$60.00 |
|
05/08/09 |
$19.15 |
$60.00 |
|
Total |
$115.00 |
$360.00 |
|
Annual Total |
$184.00 |
$579.00 |
The deduction amounts
above do not include spouse/dependent coverage. Spouse/dependent
coverage is much more expensive than student coverage. Please check the
policy
brochure for complete details.
Q:
What happens if I unexpectedly go out on an unpaid leave of absence and
I’ve signed up for payroll deductions for my portion?
A: If your
paychecks stop for longer than two (2) weeks, you will have the option
of making arrangements directly with the insurance company to cover your
premium. If your premium is not paid, it could jeopardize the
continuation of your medical insurance coverage (and the University’s
continued payment of the subsidy). If you are going on unpaid
leave, contact Laurel Vance in USF Payroll,
1-813-974-4905 or
lvance@admin.usf.edu.
Q:
What if I am out during part of the normal payroll period and have a
smaller pay amount, so I don’t have enough to cover my insurance payment
payroll deduction?
A: If your
bi-weekly contribution is not made, it could jeopardize your medical
insurance coverage. You will need to make arrangements to cover the
outstanding balance (the amount that was not able to be deducted from
your paycheck) either by paying it directly or by making arrangements to
double up the deduction from your next paycheck to make up the
difference. Contact Laurel Vance in USF
Payroll, 1-813-974-4905 or
lvance@admin.usf.edu.
Q:
Can I enroll family members in this coverage? Can I add my spouse and
child? Can parents, siblings, or my fiancé be added to the policy?
A: You can enroll
family members; however the plan is designed for the GA, the GA’s
spouse, and the GA’s children only. It will not cover any other person
(siblings, parents, fiancé, etc.), even if that person lives with the
GA. The subsidy is applied to the GA’s coverage only. For more details
on family coverage, see the insurance
brochure.
Q:
What is the cost of family coverage, and how do I pay for it?
A: Medical
insurance coverage for your spouse and/or dependent children is
available for purchase at full cost:
Annual Fall only
Spring/Summer only
Spouse only $3,198 $1,217 $1,981
Each child $1,935 $ 736
$1,199
If you
select this coverage for your spouse and/or children, there will be an
initial out-of-pocket premium payment required.
GA’s with an appointment of less than .50 FTE must pay the entire cost
of dependent coverage up front. Payroll deduction for dependent
coverage is not available for GA’s appointed at less than .50
FTE. If you are a GA with a .50 FTE appointment, you may opt to pay the
remaining balance (after that initial out-of-pocket payment) through in
a lump sum, or by payroll deduction (6 deductions in the Fall, 6
deductions in the Spring):
|
|
Fall |
Spring |
|
GA (.50 FTE)
|
Total Premium |
Deposit |
Payroll
Deduction |
Total Premium |
Deposit |
Payroll
Deduction |
|
Spouse |
$1,217 |
$341 |
$876 |
$1,981 |
$661 |
$1,320 |
|
Child |
$736 |
$232 |
$504 |
$1,199 |
$359 |
$840 |
Q:
What if I don’t earn enough to cover the payroll
deductions for my family coverage premiums?
A:
Family coverage requires a much larger payroll deduction than coverage
for the GA only. If you do not earn enough to cover the scheduled
payroll deduction, no money will be withheld from your paycheck and you
will have to pay the insurance company directly by credit card. For
questions, contact Laurel Vance in USF Payroll, 1-813-974-4905 or
lvance@admin.usf.edu.
Q: Is there any dental insurance
available through USF for students?
A:
No, there is no dental insurance available via USF. However, BlueCross
BlueShield of Florida (BCBSF) does offer dental insurance that
individuals may purchase and enroll in directly. Click
here for more information.
