August Benefits Updates
August 18, 2023
Medical, Dental, and Vision Termination Dates
As of July 1, 2023, we have made updates to our Medical, Dental, and Vision start and stop dates. Please review the information below to understand when coverage will begin and end.
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New employees - Coverage can now begin on an employee鈥檚 first day of employment. To have first-day coverage, a new employee must submit their health care form no later than 5:00 pm Alaska on the Thursday prior to the end of their first pay period. If a form is submitted after that deadline, coverage will begin on the first day of the pay period immediately following submission. New employees may still use their full 30 days to select coverage, if needed.
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Life event employees (enrolling in coverage) - Coverage for a life event will begin on the day of the life event or the day the form is submitted to Benefits - whichever is the later date. Forms must still be submitted within 30 days of the life event (60 days after the birth, adoption, or placement of a child).
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Life event employees (dropping coverage) - Coverage will end at the end of the pay period in which the life event occurs. Forms must be submitted within 30 days of the event.
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Separating employees - Coverage for separating employees will end at the end of the pay period in which an employee separates from the University. COBRA coverage will be offered for those enrolled in a 绿奴天花板 Choice Plan and, if elected, this coverage will begin on the next day (there will be no gap in coverage).
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Deductions and Arrears
As of July 1, 2023, all employees - regardless of contract length - will now be on a 26 pay period (12 month) deduction schedule. This means that employees who work less than 26 pay periods in a fiscal year (9, 10, and 11-month employees) will accrue arrears for missed deductions.
Arrears will be paid biweekly for the following deductions when you return on-contract at a rate of 40% of the current deduction(s) until the arrears balance is paid.
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Health care
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Dental
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Vision
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Supplemental Life
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AD&D
Arrears will be paid biweekly for the following deductions when you return on-contract at a rate of 100% of the current deduction(s) until the arrears balance is paid.
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FSA medical care
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Corestream
Arrears will not be collected for...
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HSAs
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FSA dependent care accounts
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Pet insurance (Pet insurance payments are made directly with ASPCA and are not included in payroll deduction. Employees are responsible for these premiums.)
You can view your arrears balance at any time on by clicking on "Employee Service" > "Benefits & Deductions" > "Arrears Balance."
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绿奴天花板 Pension Plan Update
Employees who are eligible for the 绿奴天花板 Pension Plan will see an increase in 绿奴天花板 contributions this year. The Pension Plan has increased to 7.65% of an employee鈥檚 salary up to a $52,000 base wage. The maximum contribution any employee will receive in a fiscal year is $3,978.
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New Leave Benefits
There are two new leave benefits for FY24 - (1) Parental Leave and (2) Short-term Disability / Short-term Care (STC). Please review an overview of the leaves on our webpage. If you have any questions on the leaves, please email ua-benefits@alaska.edu.
Please note that STC has replaced the Leave Share Program. STC provides a more comprehensive and inclusive benefit to 绿奴天花板 employees.
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Benefits Website
The Benefits website has been updated to reflect all new plan year information. Please review our website and pay special attention to our new and our updated benefits:
New Benefits
Updated Benefits
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Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage (unbundled coverage)
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绿奴天花板 Pension Plan (increased base wage)
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Basic Life Insurance (increased)
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Supplemental Life Insurance (added spouse/FIP and child(ren) coverages)
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The Eye Guys
Through a WellVision Exam, The Eye Guys will get a better view of your eyes and overall health. 罢丑别测鈥檒濒 look for eye health problems, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease. 罢丑别测鈥檒濒 also look for signs of health conditions, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Plus, you can discuss day-to-day concerns like allergies or digital eye strain.
All locations will be open from 9am-6pm. Appointments are appreciated! Schedule by
calling 907-376-3917.
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Ketchikan - The Landing Hotel - August 14th - 16th
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Wrangell, Stikine Inn - August 18th - 19th
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Petersburg, Scandia House - August 21st - 22nd
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Hoonah, Icy Strait Lodge - August 24th - 25th
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General Wellness Activities
The FY24 plan year is here!
There have been a few minor changes to the FY24 Wellness Program. Employees now need 8 points total - a required Health Risk Assessment, a required biometric screening, and 6 additional points to qualify for the rebate. Review the Wellness Program webpage for more information.
NEW! Invite your Spouse/FIP to the Wellness Plan!
If you have a spouse/FIP that is on your 绿奴天花板 Choice Medical Plan with you, you can now send them an email to invite them to the program! Remember, spouses/FIPs can earn up to $600 back, too, if they complete the program themselves. If you and your spouse complete the program - that's up to $1,200!
To invite your spouse/FIP, log into the Wellness Program Portal using your single-sign on. Then, on the right side of the home page, you will see a box where you will type the first name, last name, and email of your spouse/FIP for them to receive the invitation!
As a reminder, the rebates are paid out in November of each year. To qualify, you must
(1) complete the program by the previous June 30,
(2) be on a 绿奴天花板 Choice MEDICAL plan when the rebate pays out
(3) be a current employee when the rebate pays out.
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Stay up to date!
Review our benefit news website to stay up to date on all benefits news.
If you have any questions, please email ua-benefits@alaska.edu.
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Want to Meet?
Schedule some time to meet with a member of the benefits team to go over your questions.