HEALTH INSURANCE
Regular full-time or regular part-time (75%+) appointments are eligible to enroll in one of the three health insurance plans. The University pays 80% of the health insurance premium and the employee pays 20%. Coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following one full calendar month of employment, if all necessary forms are received by the Office of Human Resources. Premiums are paid a month in advance. If you decline coverage when first offered, you may apply as a late applicant, for a $60 non-refundable fee, or you may be eligible under a qualifying event. The State does not have an open enrollment period. Contact Kathy Taylor at 425-4452 for information.
Transferring health insurance plans may be done only during the Annual Enrollment Transfer Period (October 15 - November 14), with an effective date of January 1st. Health insurance plans include your choice of a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), or Point of Service (POS), or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). The PPO and POS plans are subject to a 6-month pre-existing condition clause unless the employee provides a certificate of prior coverage. The pre-existing condition requirement will be waived with a certificate of coverage provided there has not been a break in coverage of more than 63 days. The pre-existing condition requirement does not apply to employees currently participating in a health insurance plan with the university who chooses to transfer plans during the Annual Enrollment Transfer Period.
The Annual Enrollment Transfer Period for insurance benefits is October 15 through November 14. This is the only time of the year when participants can make changes in their insurance coverage. Changes in coverage will become effective on January 1. If you are not currently participating in a health plan with the University, you cannot enroll UNLESS you apply for medical coverage as a late applicant, for a $60 non-refundable fee, or apply for Special Enrollment by Qualifying Event. Additionally, you cannot add dependents that are not currently covered unless you have a qualifying event.
When choosing a health plan, view a list of things to consider, comparison of plans and a comparison of premiums.
Plans you may choose from are:
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Blue Cross/Blue Shield
Point of Service (POS) Cigna HealthCare
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) United HealthCare
Enrollment Forms
Group Insurance Enrollment Form
Primary Care Physician (PCP) Card MUST also be submitted if you are enrolling in HMO United HealthCare. Claims incurred without having a PCP will not be paid.
Effective Immediately....New Rules Concerning Insurance Eligibilty for Dependents age 19
Dependents who are reaching their 19th birthday, or newly hired employees with a dependent age 19 – 24 must present proof that the dependent is eligible.
If the 19 - 24 year old is a full time student, a letter from their school that confirms the dependent is a full time student is required. If the dependent is a full-time student at UTC, complete this form and submit to the Office of Records, 109 Race Hall.
If the dependent is a full-time student at Chattanooga State, complete this form and submit to the Records Office at Chattanooga State.
If the 19 - 24 year old dependent is eligible because they are a tax dependent, a copy of the previous year’s Federal Tax Return and a written statement from the employee that they will claim the dependent on their current year tax return is required.
IMPORTANT: Requests for information may be sent from UT, TN State Division of Insurance Administration, or health insurance providers to your home address. Please be aware that a timely response is required in order to maintain coverage for your dependents.
ANNUAL VERIFICATION FOR DEPENDENT ELIGIBILITY
Annually, the state group insurance program requires the various medical insurance companies to verify that covered dependent children between 19 and 24 still meet the criteria for eligibility. This request for verification will be sent to your home address in the form of a questionnaire. They are typically sent during February and March.
Employees are encourage to complete and submit a copy of the completed form to Kathy Taylor, Benefits Specialist. Failure to respond will suspend coverage on that child until the information is provided. As the policy holder, it is your responsibility to ensure that only those dependents that are eligible for coverage are listed. All claims paid for ineligible dependents will be recovered from the policy holder.
