Benefits FAQ's


Health Care

Q - Am I eligible for benefits?
A - Yes, IF you work at least 50% time for at least three months, and your department has agreed to provide benefits to you as part of your compensation.

Q - How do I sign up for benefits?
A - All benefited employees will be invited to a "New Employee Orientation" which is held each month in the Merrill/Cazier Library Room 154. The Non-exempt Employees meet at 9:00 am; the Exempt and Faculty Employees meet at 1:00 pm. The calendar on the Human Resources website will provide information on the day.

Q - When will my benefits take effect?
A - Your benefits begin the day of your appointment.

Q - What is Open Enrollment?
A - After an employee initially signs up for benefits, or within 30 days after a "life event" such as a marriage, birth/adoption, etc., it is the only time that changes can be made to a policy.

Q - When does Open Enrollment take place?
A - From mid-May through mid-June each year.

Q - How do I contact the Benefits department?
A - Contact Irene Whittier (435) 797-1817 , Dee Ann Christensen (435) 797-0922, or Sharon Hislop (435) 797-1814.

Retirement (USU Policy 361)

Q - How do I make an appointment with TIAA-CREF or State Retirement?
A - Contact Dee Ann Christensen 797-0122 or Sharon Hislop at 797-1814.

Q - How do I make a change to my 401k?
A - For State Retirement participants, call 1-800-365-8772 or log onto their website (www.urs.org) and obtain a pin number to make the changes online. Alternatively, the HR office has a form to complete and mail. For TIAA-CREF participants, call 1-800-842-2733 or log onto their website (www.tiaa-cref.org) and obtain a pin number to make the changes online.

Q - How do I change the amount of money I contribute to my retirement account?
A - To change the amount of money you are contributing toward your retirement (increase, decrease, stop or start), please come to the HR Office to meet with Irene Whittier, Dee Ann Christensen, or Sharon Hislop. The amounts must be checked against maximum limits that vary depending on the age of the employee.

Educational Benefits (USU Policy 350)

Q - I am a current benefited employee. Do I get a tuition waiver?
A - USU employees do not get a tuition waiver, but a 50% reduction in tuition. Benefited employees qualify for the 50% tuition reduction after three months of service working 75% time or more. The three month waiting time must be completed on or before the last eligible day that fees are due in the applicable semester.

Q - How do I apply for the tuition reduction?
A - After you have been accepted and registered for a class(es), the Registration Office will be able to determine your eligibility from Banner.

Medical

Q - How do I add a child to my insurance?
A - Within 30 days of the date of birth or adoption or marriage with stepchildren, come into the HR Office to complete a form. This will add the child(ren) to the Basic Life Insurance coverage. In order to add the child(ren) to the Supplemental Life Insurance, you must wait until the Open Enrollment period (mid-May through mid-June of each year). See USU Policy 358.

Q - What is a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)?
A - FSA allows you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for certain medical and child care expenses. See USU Policy 352.

Q - How do I enroll in an FSA?
A - During Open Enrollment (mid-May through mid-June each year) for the following plan year which begins July 1.

Q - Where can I find an FSA reimbursement form?
A - On-line at www.usu.edu/hr (under Personnel Forms), or at the HR Office.

Q - How do I find out the balance of my Flexible Spending Account?
A - Contact ASIFlex by going to their website at www.asiflex.com or calling ASIFlex at 1-800-659-3035.

Q - What is FMLA? (See USU Policy 351)
A - Family and Medical Leave Act . An eligible employee may use paid leave (if available) and/or unpaid leave up to a maximum of 12 weeks during any 12-month period for specific reasons.

Q - What events qualify for FMLA?
A - 1) The serious health condition of the employee, including continuing treatment; 2) The birth of a child or the placement of a child for adoption or foster care; and 3) The care of the employee's family member due to a serious health condition.

Q - Do I qualify for FMLA?
A - Yes, IF you have an ongoing appointment of 50% time or more, or you have worked 1,250 hours or more over the last 12-month period.

Q - How do I apply for FMLA?
A - Complete an Family and Medical Leave request form.

Q - Can I use my sick and vacation accruals while on FMLA?
A - Yes.

Leave

Q - How many days can I request for funeral leave?
A - Bereavement leave is for three days. See USU Policy 346.

Q - Can I use bereavement leave for my cousin's son?
A - The bereavement policy (USU Policy 346) covers only immediate family; defined as (including step-relatives): spouse, son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, foster child, parents, parents-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, grandparents, grandparents-in-law, grandchildren, or any person living in the employee's household.

Banner

Q - How do I change my address?
A - Go into Banner; Screen PPAIDEN. Select the Address icon. Select MA screen. If you want to have a record of the old address, check the "inactive" box & arrow down. If you don't want to keep the old address, simply enter in the new address. SAVE.

Q - All approval types must be committed prior to submission. Who does what?
A - Look in the telephone directory for the name of the individual who is the Department Head and Dean/Vice President for the area involved. Select that person's name at the appropriate level.

Q - I get a message that reads "Mass edit errors (5511 & 6502)." What do I do?
A - Log out and log back in again.

Q - I am frozen out of Banner. What do I do?
A - Call the NCS help desk (435 797-4357). There may been multiple people who have logged into the same site at the same time; or you may have multiple instances open.

Q How do I void an EPAF?
A - Only the initiator can VOID an EPAF.

Termination (USU Policy 399)

Q - After my termination from the University, how long does my health care coverage stay in effect?
A - Insurance coverages end on the 15th day of the month when an employee terminates on or before the 15th day of the month, and end on the last day of the month if the employee terminates on the 16th or after, except as otherwise provided by policy or special agreement authorized by the University President.

Workers Compensation (USU Policy 364)

Q - What are the responsibilities of the employee and supervisor when a work-related injury or illness occurs?
A - An employee involved in an accident should inform his/her supervisor immediately and follow all reporting procedures outlined in the policy. A supervisor is responsible for validating accidents and completing accident report forms and the required documentation for Workers Compensation.

Q - Where can I find the "First Report of Injury" form?
A - Select the "Personnel Forms" icon on the HR website; then Workers Compensation.


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