The annual health benefits open enrollment provides an opportunity for faculty and staff to make changes to current benefits which become effective January 1, 2015.
Contractual/variable employees who work at least 30 hours per week, or an average 130 hours per month, may be eligible for subsidized medical and prescription coverage for the employee and eligible dependents, under the State of Maryland Employee Benefits Program, effective 1/1/15. Employees in this classification could include contractual (contingent) employees, contractual faculty, and adjunct faculty if they meet the threshold for hours worked under the law.
Adjunct faculty who now teach the equivalent of 75% of the course load required of full-time, non-tenure track instructional faculty at Towson University are considered full-time employees for health insurance subsidy purposes. As such, these employees are credited with 30 hours of service per week, or an average 130 hours per month. If the adjunct contract is being renewed for spring, 2015, and the adjunct continues to meet the full-time definition above, eligibility for subsidized medical and prescription coverage for the faculty member and eligible dependents, under the State of Maryland Employee Benefits Program, will be effective 1/1/15.
Contractual/variable employees who do not meet the threshold for hours worked under the law and are ineligible for subsidy may enroll in the State of Maryland Employee Benefits program by paying the full cost of medical and prescription coverage for the employee and eligible dependents.
All Contractual/variable employees can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full cost for these benefits.
Enrollment Steps
- Review the 2015 Benefits Guide – Benefits Guide
- Review what is new – What’s New in Calendar Year 2015
- Review the Contractual/Variable Employees Rates – Contractual/ Variable
- Complete the 2015 Enrollment Form – Contractual/Variable
- If adding a spouse or eligible dependent child(ren), complete a dependent affidavit for each person – Affidavit for Dependent Eligibility and Tax Status
- Review page 42 of the above Benefits Guide for required documentation when enrolling eligible dependents (i.e., copy of certified marriage certificate or certified birth certificate.)
- Return the enrollment form and dependent documentation (if applicable) to the Office of Human Resources (OHR) before 5:00 pm on November 14, 2014.
Enrollment Process
Upon receipt of the enrollment form and dependent documentation (if applicable), OHR will submit the documents to the State of Maryland Employee Benefits Division (EBD). EBD will process the form and OHR will email the employee a Summary Statement/Confirmation of 2015 Benefits. Upon receipt of the summary statement, the employee must report any errors to the OHR.
Paying for Benefits
EBD will send payment coupons for premiums just prior to the beginning of the plan year. Monthly payments must be made timely for benefits to remain active. Payments are due the first of each month. There is a 30-day grace period each month. However, delaying payment may delay the payment of claims submitted during that period. If benefits are cancelled due to non-payment, the employee must wait until the following Open Enrollment to re-enroll.
