Benefit Information for Full-Time
UUP-Represented Professional Staff

The following benefits are available to all full-time academic and professional employees hired for a period of at least 3 months at the University at Albany. Programs, policies, and costs are subject to change without notice, and such changes are generally applicable to all future employees regardless of the date the original offer or acceptance of employment was made.

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A.     Health Insurance

B.      Vision Care and Dental Insurance

C.     Retirement Programs

D.     Voluntary Tax Deferred Savings Programs

E.     Social Security

F.      Group Long Term Disability Insurance

G.     Life Insurance

H.     Death Benefits

I.       Tuition and Fee Assistance

J.       Flex Spending Account

K.      Long-Term Care Insurance

Coverage is effective after 42 days of employment if enrollment forms are received by that date.  Employees have a choice of one of five options: a preferred provider organization or one of four health maintenance organizations.  All health plans cover pre-existing conditions.

Preferred Provider Organization:

NYS Empire Plan (http://www.cs.state.ny.us/ebd/epuup/hb.cfm)

The Empire Plan covers hospitalization through Blue Cross, surgical/medical care through United HealthCare, mental health/substance abuse treatment through OptumHealth Behavioral Solutions, and prescription drugs through Medco.  Empire Plan enrollees are not required to designate primary care providers or to obtain written referrals for specialists.  Generally, services rendered by participating providers are paid in full with the exception of modest co-payments.  The insurance carrier pays the provider directly.

Claims for services from providers who do not participate in the plan must be submitted under the Basic Medical Program.  The enrollee is responsible for paying all charges and will receive any reimbursement directly from United HealthCare.  Once a deductible is met, Basic Medical will reimburse 80% of reasonable and customary charges to a prescribed maximum.  The program pays 100% of reasonable and customary expenses after the coinsurance maximum limit is met.

The Empire Plan includes “managed care” components for certain services, such as hospital and skilled nursing facility admissions, mental health and substance abuse treatment, home health care and durable medical goods, and chiropractic/physical therapy.  Benefits may be substantially reduced if members go outside the network or do not call for pre-approval.

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs)

1.       Capital District Physicians' Health Plan (http://www.cdphp.com)

2.       Empire BlueCross BlueShield HMO (http://www.empireblue.com)

3.       GHI HMO (www.ghihmo.com)

4.       MVP Health Plan (http://www.joinmvp.com)          

All HMOs provide comprehensive hospital, medical/surgical, mental health/substance abuse, and prescription drug coverage.  Generally, enrollees are required to select a primary care provider from the HMO’s network.  Members go to their primary provider for health care or  referrals to specialists.  (Note:  GHI and MVP do not require referrals for in-network specialists.)  The HMO pays the provider in full except for modest co-payments.  The provider takes care of claim forms and paperwork.

Premiums

At this time, the State pays 90% of the cost of individual coverage and up to 75% of the additional cost for dependent coverage (based on Empire Plan rates).  Health insurance contributions are deducted from payroll checks on a pre-tax basis, unless the employee specifically declines in writing to participate in the Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP).

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B. DENTAL INSURANCE & VISION CARE

(http://www.uupinfo.org)

Your union, United University Professions (UUP), provides dental and vision coverage through a union benefit fund after 42 days of service.   Union membership is not required.  Coverage is provided at no cost to eligible employees and dependents.  Choose between two dental plans available through Delta Dental:  a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) or Premier Plan.  Davis Vision provides one free examination and one free pair of glasses every 12 months.

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C. See RETIREMENT PROGRAMS

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D. VOLUNTARY TAX DEFERRED SAVINGS PROGRAMS

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E. SOCIAL SECURITY

(www.ssa.gov)

All employees are covered by Social Security. Taxes are withheld from salary up to the Social Security base as determined each calendar year. In 2009, $106,800 is subject to Social Security taxes (7.65%). Amounts over $106,800 are subject only to the Medicare portion of the Social Security tax (1.45%).

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F. GROUP LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE

Full-time academic and professional employees generally serve a one-year waiting period. The waiting period is waived when it is verified that, within three months prior to appointment with the University, the employee was covered under a similar group disability insurance program by a previous employer.  The following is additional important information regarding this program:

1.      Benefits begin after six months of total disability.

2.      Benefits consist of a guaranteed income equal to 60% of monthly salary as of the date the disability began, not to exceed $7,500 monthly. Guaranteed income is inclusive of Social Security, Workers Comp, and retirement system benefits, if applicable.

3.      Benefits are based on the monthly earnings at the time the disability was incurred.

The University does not provide short-term disability benefits. You may use sick leave and annual leave accruals or go on leave without pay during the six-month elimination period. You may also wish to explore the private purchase of short-term disability insurance to provide coverage during the elimination period. Members of UUP may obtain short-term disability insurance through NYSUT.

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G. LIFE INSURANCE

The University provides no separate life insurance program. Death benefits, however, are available through membership in one of the State retirement systems (see below).

A modest term life insurance policy is provided through United University Professions (UUP), and additional coverage may be purchased.

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H. DEATH BENEFITS

A death benefit may be payable to the beneficiary of an individual who dies while employed by the University. Types and amounts of death benefits vary significantly according to the retirement system an employee elects.

The public retirement systems (TRS and ERS) provide a benefit equal to one year's salary for each year of service up to three years maximum salary, but with death benefits reducedeach year beyond age 61. This benefit is further reduced upon retirement.

Under the Optional Retirement Program, the death benefit would be the current value of the contract accumulations, paid either as income or in a single sum.

If the death benefit provided by the retirement system is less than one-half final salary, a separate State program will provide or supplement that amount to a maximum of $10,000.

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I. TUITION AND FEE ASSISTANCE

Full-time employees are eligible for a waiver of a percentage (usually 40-50%, based on the number of employees applying and the availability of funds) of tuition for up to eight credit hours of job-related courses taken at a SUNY campus. Tuition may not be waived for courses taken at a SUNY community college or at a campus external to SUNY. Tuition assistance is not available to dependents of employees.

Under a separate union-negotiated program, employees represented by United University Professions (UUP) may enroll in one tuition free course per semester at any SUNY campus on a "space available" basis. Tuition may not be waived for courses taken at a SUNY community college or at a campus external to SUNY. UUP also offers a $500 tuition benefit for dependent children who are enrolled for at least 12 credits at a SUNY State-operated campus (not including SUNY community colleges).

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J. FLEX SPENDING ACCOUNTS

(www.flexspend.state.ny.us)

1. Dependent Care Advantage Account: This allows eligible employees to pay for up to $5,000/year of dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis. Qualified dependents include children under the age of 13; disabled children of any age; and relatives residing in the employee's home who are incapable of caring for themselves.  Employees must enroll within the first 60 days of employment (or within 60 days of a change in family status) or wait until an annual enrollment period in the fall.  Visit the website for additional information, including the current employer contribution toward participation in this program.

2. Health Care Spending Account: This allows eligible employees to set aside up to $4,000 annually in pre-tax salary to pay for health-related expenses that are not reimbursed by insurance.  Medically necessary medical, dental, prescription, vision, and hearing expenses for enrollees and their eligible dependents may be reimbursed.  Employees must enroll within the first 60 days of employment (or within 60 days of a change in family status) or wait until an annual enrollment period in the fall.  Visit the website for additional information. 

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K. LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

(www.nyperl.net)

The NYS Public Employees and Retirees Long-Term Care Insurance Plan (NYPERL) allows eligible employees and their eligible dependents to purchase long-term care insurance through MedAmerica Insurance Company of NY. Generally, long-term care insurance provides benefits for covered services from a nursing facility, home health care agency, adult day care center, assisted living facility, and hospice. Active employees who enroll within 60 days of employment are guaranteed issue of a policy without proof of insurability. Enrollment after 60 days requires proof of insurability. Eligible dependents are required to prove insurability regardless of when they apply.

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Revised September 2009

  

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Employee Benefits
Office of Human Resources Management
University at Albany
Albany , NY 12222
(518) 437-4729 (Voice) 437-4731 (Fax)
Office Hours: M-F, 8:30am to 5:00pm , Summers, 8:00am - 4:00pm