Frequently Asked Questions - Changes in Postdoc Health and Welfare Benefits

Extrapolated from the Postdoc Benefits Presentation
October 13 and 14, 2004
Sibley Auditorium, Bechtel Engineering Center

ENROLLMENT

1. How can I determine my job code?
Review your Surepay stub. This is a paper document indicating how much you are paid. . If the job title referenced is “Visiting (-----) – Postdoc,” you are in job code of 3370. If the job title referenced is ” Research Fellow (W/O Salary),” you are in job code of 3296. If the job title referenced is “Postgraduate Researcher,” you are in job code of 3240 and are NOT eligible for this new postdoc benefits program. If you are still unsure, you may contact your sponsoring department for this information.

2. I will become an employee postdoc in January, however, currently I am a stipend postdoc. What should I do about enrolling in benefits?
Assuming your Employee postdoc appointment (Job Code 3252) will begin on January 1, then go ahead and enroll in benefits using the Garnett-Powers web site enrollment form and processes.  If your Job Code change is later in January, please have your department contact the Benefits Office (Postdoc Benefits Coordinator) for further instructions.

3. If I elect to remain in the employee job code 3370, can I keep my current benefit plan?
Yes. If you would like to change to another health insurance or other benefits provided to you in this job code, you may do so during the faculty and staff Open Enrollment in November, 2004.

4. I have less than 6 months remaining in my stipend postdoc appointment and I am covered by the Kaiser Permanente Health Program. Can I keep that plan?
No, the Kaiser Permanente Health Program will end as of 12/31/04. However, you may be able to purchase a different Kaiser plan as an individual by contacting them directly. If you do this, you should "opt out" of the PSBP medical plan. Note, the PSBP enrollment for should still be completed since there are other plans in which you are eligible to enroll, with some being required such as the Life/Accident and Short-Term Disability.

5. As a stipend postdoc, I pay the premiums for my insurance. I would like to opt out of it and just pay the dental and optical insurance. Is that possible?
Yes.

6. If I opted out of the current benefits, should I fill out the UPAY 850 benefits cancellation form?
If you opted out of, or did not enroll in, any of the UC-sponsored benefits, you do not need to submit the UPAY 850.  However, if you opted out of some but enrolled in others (such as the Health Care Reimbursement Account), you will need to cancel those coverages.  If you are unsure about your enrollments, check your surepay stub to see if you are enrolled in any UC-sponsored benefits.

7. If I elect to stay in the employee job code 3370, can I enroll in the new dental and optical insurance?
No. The new benefits package is not available to postdocs who remain in employee job code 3370.

8. Is there any information on how many Health Net doctors are accepting patients?
You can check on the Health Net website site which is http://www.health.net/.  If you have a particular doctor in mind, the best way to find out is to call the doctor’s office regarding availability.

9. Is the list of doctors the same for the current Health Net HMO as for the Health Net HMOoffered through Garnett-Powers?
You can compare the lists of doctors by going to the Health Net HMO website which is http://www.health.net/.

10. If I have Health Net HMO now and switch to the Garnett-Powers Health Net coverage, will the change be transparent?
Basically, yes. You may keep the same doctor, although you will be issued new Health Net identification cards. However, you must still follow the procedures to make the choice, e.g., election of new job code, enrollment in new plan, cancellation of old coverage. You should also notify your doctor of the new coverage.

11. I currently have a referral and a prescription from my primary care physician under Health Net. If I enroll in Health Net through Garnett-Powers, will I need a new referral?
You will need to notify your primary care physician who will handle this for you.

12. I am a postdoc on a non-immigrant visa and my wife and child will be coming to the U.S. in February or March. Must I add them to the benefits plan now or can I add them effective with the date they arrive?
You can add them to your coverage as of the day they arrive, but you must add them within 31 days of their arrival. For easier transition, call Garnett-Powers about three weeks prior to arrival to start the paperwork.

13. If I elect to switch from the current employee job code 3370 to the new employee job code 3252, do I continue to submit timesheets?
Yes, but they may be different from your current time reporting document.

14. Are co-payments with the new Garnett-Powers HMO the same or lower than I have currently with coverage as an employee postdoc?
They are comparable.

15. Can you clarify the monthly fee for the HMO and the PPO on the new plan?
Assuming you mean the premium cost, this information is available on the Garnet & Powers website site which is http://garnett-powers.com/postdoc/monthly_rates_2005.pdf.

16. Is all medical care covered?
Please refer to plan details. Certain elective procedures, for example cosmetic surgery, are not covered.

17. Are pre-existing conditions covered under the medical plan?
Yes. Garnett-Powers has negotiated with Health Net to insure that preexisting conditions are covered.

18. Does the PPO under the new plan provide coverage nationwide or only in California?
The PPO provides coverage nationwide. The HMO provides coverage ONLY in California.

19. What do I do if I need care outside of California or the U.S. and I have the HMO coverage?
Emergencies are covered, contact your Primary Care Physician. Non-emergency care is not. Review plan details for more information.

20. Is COBRA coverage available for dental and vision insurance upon separation?
Yes.

21. Does the Long-Term Disability Plan pay even if the recipient lives outside of the U.S.?
Yes, however, payment is made in U.S. dollars.

22. Are pre-existing conditions covered under the short-term disability plan?
No. For details, please contact Garnett-Powers and Associates directly.

23. Can I take 6 months of maternity leave using the short-term disability plan?
The standard time for maternity leave is six weeks but see plan details regarding the disability benefits period.  Check with your department about personal leave.

24. Under the current plan, there is no co-payment for using Health Net at the Tang Center. Will that still hold true under the new plan?
Under the new plan, postdocs are not eligible for care at the Tang Center. Postdocs will need to identify a new Health Net provider as their primary care provider in the community.

25. Is the new leave bank based on a calendar year?
It will cover a 12 month period.  Departments may choose to administer this differently, either on a calendar year, an academic year or anniversary year.  For the time off provision, it will not be a "bank", but time usage must be reported and departments will track the totals to ensure compliance with the policy.

26. How can I find out the balance of my vacation accruals?
Your sponsoring department has this information.

27. If I elect to remain in the current employee job code 3370, will my vacation leave be paid off after December 31, 2004?
Your vacation balance will be paid when you separate from University if you do not choose to switch to the new job code.

28. I intend to switch from the current employee job code 3370 to the new employee job code 3252 and my vacation leave balance will be paid off. As I understand, I will get four weeks of time in the leave bank but my appointment is expected to end in about six months. Will I get the full four weeks of leave time?
Not necessarily. The policy indicates that the time off is related to recess and intersession periods and we would need to determine how much time this is during that six-month period. As noted above, the time off provision is not a "bank" of time.

29. I will be switching from the current employee job code 3370 to the new employee job code 3252. Am I required to use all my vacation prior to December 31, 2004?
No. Any remaining balance as of December 31, 2004 will be paid to you in a lump sum after your balance has been verified through submitted timesheets.