Boise State University Human Resource Services - Benefits
Benefits FAQs
General Questions
Q. Where can I find benefit forms?
A. Benefit forms can be downloaded from our HRS Website http://hrs.boisestate.edu/forms/. Forms will be provided when employees attend or complete the online benefits orientation.
Q. What is the web address to the benefit vendors website?
A. Benefit vendor web addresses can be found on our HRS Website at: http://hrs.boisestate.edu/benefits/vendors.shtml
Q. Where can I find my benefit enrollment information?
A. There is a new section under the BroncoWeb Employee Menu titled Employee Benefits Summary. Here is where you will find benefit information on your health insurance, life insurance, retirement, supplemental retirement, and leave accrual information.
The health insurance information has your plan type, which is either PPO, Traditional or High Deductible and the family members covered under the plan. To make changes on your health insurance, you will need to complete the enrollment form, http://adm.idaho.gov/insurance/pdf/enrollment/Medical_Dental_Enrollment.pdf
The life insurance information shows what your plan is worth and who your current beneficiaries are. To make changes on your life insurance, you will need to complete the appropriate enrollment form. A link to the life insurance form is located under the main HRS Forms page, entitled "Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance Enrollment Form" or http://adm.idaho.gov/insurance/pdf/enrollment/ben_desig.pdf
The retirement information will show the retirement plan and percentage or dollar amount of the deduction. On the supplemental retirement plan, you may make changes if you currently or previously had an account. However, if this is a new account you will need to setup an account with the provider, print out the salary reduction form available on the HRS website, http://hrs.boisestate.edu/benefits/forms.shtml and submit it to HRS to get the deduction started.
For more information about supplemental retirement plans, please go to our HRS website, Benefits section, http://hrs.boisestate.edu/benefits/retirement.shtml#srp
Please direct any questions to Sarah T. Jones (M-Z), x64417 or Mary Naccarato (A-L) x62044.
Health Insurance Questions:
Q. If I am a new employee, when does my health insurance start?
A. The effective date is the first of the month following date of hire. If an employee enrolls after 30 days, then the effective date is the first of the month after you apply for coverage. The deductible year coincides with our fiscal year, which is from July 1 to June 30.
Q. When should I receive my Blue Cross Card?
A. Once we receive and have processed your enrollment application, your Blue Cross card should arrive at your home address within three or four weeks. You will receive two cards and both will have your name on them.
Q. What is the process if I incur a medical expense prior to receiving my Blue Cross Card?
A. You will either need to pay the claim and submit it to Blue Cross for reimbursement, or request that your provider delay billing Blue Cross until you have received your enrollment card.
Q. Is it possible to receive additional Blue Cross Cards?
A.You can request additional Blue Cross cards be sent to your home address by calling Blue Cross at 1-800-451-8228.
Q. Who can I claim as a dependent on my insurance?
A.
Eligible Dependent means: (1) The spouse of the Enrollee and/or (2) the children of an Enrollee or Enrollee's spouse, up to their 26th birthdays, unless the dependent child(ren) are eligible to enroll in their own employer based group coverage.
The term "children" includes natural children, stepchildren, adopted children, or children in the process of adoption from time placed with the Enrollee. The term "children" also includes children legally dependent upon the Enrollee or Enrollee's spouse for support where a normal parent-child relationship exists with the expectation that the Enrollee will continue to rear that child to adulthood. However, if one or both of that child's natural parents live in the same household with the Enrollee, a parent-child relationship shall not be deemed to exist even though the Enrollee or the Enrollee's spouse provides support.
Q. What is the process for adding a newborn or adopted child to my insurance?
A. You will need to complete a new Medical Enrollment Application adding the child's name, plus the names of all dependents that are covered. This needs to be done within 60 days of the birth/adoption. The child will be covered as of the date of birth/adoption. Any applicable changes in premium amounts will take effect the first of the month following the birth/adoption.
Q. I did not enroll my spouse or dependents for coverage when I was first hired. Is it possible to obtain dependent coverage now?
A. You may add eligible dependents to medical coverage at any time. If you submit an enrollment application outside of your initial 30-day eligibility period, coverage will become effective the first day of the month following the date you sign the application form.
Q. When is the open enrollment period?
A. Open enrollment is typically the month of May with any changes taking effect on July 1 of that year. Information will be sent to all employees the latter part of April or early May. Information will also be available at the HRS website at http://hrs.boisestate.edu/benefits/ or in the bi-weekly HR Review newsletter.
Q. Where can I find the contract for this year's insurance plan?
A. The contract for the plan year is available at http://adm.idaho.gov/insurance/contracts.htm.
Q. I will be leaving employment at BSU. What are my options for continuing my health insurance coverage when I leave state employment?
A. When your eligibility for active employee group coverage ends, you may apply for continued medical and dental coverage under the provisions of the federal COBRA law. The coverage provided under COBRA is identical to that provided to active employees. You may elect COBRA for a maximum of eighteen (18) months. You have up to sixty (60) days from the date your active employee group coverage ends to elect COBRA coverage. To request a detailed information packet, contact the Office of Group Insurance at (208) 332-1860 or by e-mail at ogi@adm.idaho.gov.
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Medical Insurance Questions:
Q. How do I look up my Blue Cross account?
A. Log into the Blue Cross home page at http://www.bcidaho.com/. Enter your user name and password. You will then be able to navigate throughout the site checking on the status of claims, the coordination of benefits, ordering a new ID card and choosing many other options.
Q. Is there a lifetime maximum benefit?
A. Yes. Blue Cross of Idaho pays up to $1,000,000 on behalf of an insured for all combined covered services.
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Dental Insurance Questions:
Q. How do I look up my Blue Cross Dental account?
A. Log into Blue Cross Dental at www.bcidaho.com. Click on members. If you have not logged into the system previously, click on Register now! If you have logged in before, enter your username and password. After you are logged in, you will be able to review the status of claims and your benefit information and eligibility requirements.
Q. Do I get a separate card for dental?
A. No. You will use your Blue Cross card for any medical, vision, or dental services. If you need new Blue Cross cards, please contact Blue Cross Dental at 208-363-8755.
Q. Is there a waiting period for dental work?
A. For all new dental plan enrollees, there is a 12-month waiting period for major care (crowns, bridges, dentures) and orthodontia services. Your time enrolled in a prior dental plan cannot be credited against the waiting period in the state's dental plan.
Q. Can I only carry dental for my dependents and not carry them on medical?
A. No. You may elect to carry your dependents on medical coverage but decline coverage for dental. However, to re-enroll, there must be an open enrollment period for the dental plan. Although the medical plan is open every year, the dental and vision plans are only open every three years.
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Vision Insurance Questions:
Q. Do I get a separate card for the vision plan?
A. No, you will not get a separate card for your vision plan. Use the identification number on your Blue Cross card. Note that the VSP number does not include the Blue Cross three-letter prefix (IDA or IDP).
Q. How do I look up my VSP account?
A. Log into the VSP home page at http://www.vsp.com. When logging onto their website for the first time you'll need to register by clicking on the "Members & Consumers" label. Then in the login box use the "Register now" link to create your username and password. First you will be asked for your Social or Member ID number. DO NOT use your Social Security Number. Instead, put in your full Blue Cross Member/Enrollee ID Number (Minus the 3 letter Prefix), full name and birthday, then click continue. On the next screen you'll be asked to enter a username, password, security question, etc. for your account. A recommendation for a user name is the employee's first and last name with no space. Example: Jane Doe. After filling out the rest of your personal information, your registration will be complete. If you encounter any problems or need customer service, call VSP at the number listed above.
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Beneficiary Information
Q. How do I change my beneficiaries on my Life Insurance and Retirement Accounts?
A.
PERSI Retirement:
Download the form from http://www.persi.state.id.us/html/forms/RS_115_beneficiary_designation.pdf and forward the completed document to Human Resource Services at Mail Stop 1265.
TIAA-CREF:
Changes can be made online at www.tiaa-cref.org
VALIC Financial Advisors:
Contact Jennifer Braun-Blanco at 208/859-2728
Principal Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance: Download the form from http://adm.idaho.gov/insurance/pdf/enrollment/ben_desig.pdf and forward the completed document to Human Resource Services at Mail Stop 1265
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Life Insurance
Q. What does my Basic Life Insurance cover?
A. The Basic Life Insurance covers 100% of Annual Salary, but not less than $20,000.
Supplemental Life Insurance
Q. If I do not enroll in Supplemental Life when I become benefit eligible, can I still enroll later?
A. If you do not enroll within 30 days of your hire date, you can still enroll in Supplemental Life. You will need to complete a General Health Statement that is forwarded to the Office of Insurance Management for approval of coverage.
Q. How can I get a General Health Statement?
A. You can get a General Health Statement by contacting Office of Group Insurance at 332-1860 and request that they send the Health Statement to your home address.
Q. What is NCPERS and who is eligible to enroll?
A. NCPERS is a group decreasing term life insurance and The Prudential Insurance Company of America provides the coverage. The premium is $16 per month regardless of age. All active members of the PERSI retirement system who are actively at work may enroll.
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Leave Questions
Q. Questions regarding FMLA:
A. Please contact your benefit administrator (If your last name ends in A-L: Mary Naccarato 426-2044 or M-Z: Sarah T. Jones 426-4417).
Q. Questions regarding Shared Leave:
A. Please contact your Benefit Administrator with any questions pertaining to Shared Leave. (If your last name ends in A-L: Mary Naccarato 426-2044 or M-Z: Sarah T. Jones 426-4417).
Q. Do I need to do anything if I miss more than five days of work?
A. If you miss more than five consecutive days of work, you need to contact your Benefit Administrator at Human Resource Services. (If your last name ends in A-L: Mary Naccarato 426-2044 or M-Z: Sarah T. Jones 426-4417).
Q. Questions regarding leave for jury duty:
A. Please contact, if your last name ends A-L: Mary Naccarato 426-2044 or
M-Z: Sarah T. Jones 426-4417.
Q. Questions regarding military leave:
A. Please contact, if your last name ends A-L: Mary Naccarato 426-2044 or
M-Z: Sarah T. Jones 426-4417.
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Personal Information
Q. How do I change my address?
A. You can change your address on Bronco Web or you can come to Human Resource Services and complete an address change form.
Q. If I use Bronco Web to change my address, will this also update my address with the benefit vendors?
A. No.
Q. What should I do if my marital status changes?
A. Depending on your current information, a marital status change may
affect your name, the Beneficiary information for your Life Insurance and Retirement
account, your Health Insurance, Tax Withholding, and personal information.
Please contact Human Resource Services at 208-426-1616 to determine which information
needs to be updated and the procedures involved.
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Retirement
Q. When can I retire?
A. Please contact your Benefits Administrator if you are planning on retiring. (If your last name ends in A-L: Mary Naccarato 426-2044 or M-Z: Sarah T. Jones 426-4417).
Q. What is PERSI Amortization?
A. In 1990, ORP legislation was passed by the Idaho Legislature and signed into law by Governor Andrus. PERSI actuarial projections to fund future PERSI retirees (Unfunded Actuarial Liabilities) were based, in part, on continued participation of current ORP participants and the employer contributions for this group. Therefore, in order to meet PERSI actuarial requirements, the legislation included a percentage, paid by the state (BSU) payable to PERSI. This contribution, by law, will end in 2015.
Q. Can I borrow money from my retirement account?
A. You cannot borrow from your mandatory retirement account. You may only borrow money from your supplemental retirement account. You will need to contact the Supplemental Retirement Vendor directly. Vendor information is available on the HRS website.
Q. Can I open a supplemental account with TIAA-CREF or VALIC Financial Advisors if I have PERSI as my regular retirement?
A. Yes. All employees are eligible to enroll in a 403(b) account or 457(b) with TIAA-CREF, VALIC Financial Advisors, or any other carrier that offers a supplemental plan at BSU, even if you have your mandatory retirement plan with PERSI. These are pre-tax deductions that are taken out of every paycheck.
Q. If I have the ORP plan as my regular retirement, may I open a 401(k) supplemental retirement account with PERSI?
A. No. Only active participants in PERSI as their regular retirement
may open a supplemental plan through PERSI Choice.
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Flexible Spending Accounts
Q. What are flexible spending accounts and when can I enroll?
A. Flexible spending accounts (FSA's) are a way to pay dependent day care expenses and out-of-pocket medical expenses on a before-tax basis. Enrollment is during the regular open enrollment period for health insurance, typically the month of May, with an effective date of July 1. All employees may enroll if they are eligible for the State of Idaho medical plans and have completed 10 months of continuous state service as of the plan anniversary (July 1). The plan year is from July 1 to September 15 (15 months).
Q. I am already enrolled in the flexible spending account program. What is the deadline for submitting claims for my expenses incurred during the plan year?
A. The plan year begins July 1 and ends June 30. You have until October
31 to make a claim for any expenses incurred July 1 through September 13. ie: Plan year beginning 7/1/10 and ending 6/30/11, claims must be submitted for expenses incurred between 7/01/10 and 9/13/11 by 10/31/11, or the remaining funds will be forfeited. The form for reimbursement is located at: http://adm.idaho.gov/insurance/pdf/fsa/Idaho_FSA_Claim_Form.pdf .
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Fee Waivers
Q. Who is eligible for Tuition Fee Waivers?
A. All Boise State University employees in permanent positions and their spouses may register for instructional courses during any academic period. Employees and eligible spouses may each enroll up to a maximum of nine (9) credit hours per semester. Boise State University waives all tuition costs for these 9 credits except for a $20.00 non-refundable registration fee per semester and a $5.00 per credit hour charge. Any special course fees (lab fee) will be paid by the employee.
Starting in the fall of 2011, the University is offering a two-year pilot program to provide a tuition fee waiver benefit to eligible dependent children of current employees. This new program will allow one dependent child of an eligible permanent employee who has completed five continuous months of service to utilize the fee waiver. If a fee waiver is utilized by a dependent child, neither the employee nor the spouse is eligible for a fee waiver in the same semester, even if both parents are employed by the University. The policy found at the link below will provide details to answer most of your questions. The dependent child fee waiver will cover 65% of the regular applicable resident or non-resident tuition and fees for a part-time or full-time student. Only one child per family is eligible, even if both parents are employed by the University.
The fee waiver policy and form for employees and spouses is located here.
The fee waiver pilot program policy for dependent children is located here.
The fee waiver form for dependent children for Fall 2011 is located here.
Q. If I am unable to register for my intended classes, should I wait to turn in my fee waiver?
A. To avoid the late fee charges, you should turn in a fee waiver listing
your "intended" classes prior to the deadline date. If you have to
change any of your courses when you register, you will need to turn in a "revised" fee
waiver.
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Last reviewed May 2009