STATUS OF YOUR BENEFITS DURING A LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY
University
contributions to the Princeton University Retirement Plan continue on your
behalf as long as you are receiving a salary from Princeton. Contributions are
based on the actual salary that you receive while on a leave, not to
exceed the eligible compensation limit as defined each year by the Internal
Revenue Service. For example, an individual on leave with half pay whose annual
base salary is $50,000 would receive contributions based on an actual salary
of $25,000, or half of the annual base salary.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan
Administered by United HealthCare
877-609-2273; www.uhc.com
Point of Service (POS) Plan
Administered by Oxford Health Plans
800-303-9905; www.oxhp.com/
Aetna HMO (NJ/PA)
800-323-9930; www.aetna.com
Horizon HMO Blue
800-355-2583; www.bcbsnj.com
Catastrophic Plan
Administered by United HealthCare
877-609-2273
You may continue health care plan coverage through the University while you are on a leave of absence with pay. If you are enrolled in the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan, the Point of Service (POS) Plan, or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan, premiums continue to be reduced from your paycheck on a pretax basis. If you are enrolled in the Catastrophic Plan when your leave begins, your coverage continues at no cost to you.
If you are a participant in the PPO Plan, your annual coinsurance limit is based on your annual base salary as of January 1 of the year in which the leave is taken.
While
traveling in the U.S., coverage under the PPO Plan falls under either the
In-Network or the Out-of-Network portion of the plan, depending on whether or
not the provider/hospital participates in United HealthCare's national network.
(The same is also true for the POS Plan; however Oxford Health Plans is a
regional health care plan company.) You may call or utilize the websites of
United HealthCare or Oxford Health Plans to determine whether or not a
particular physician/hospital is part of the network. Under the HMO’s you are
covered for emergencies only.
If
you are traveling overseas on University-sponsored or University-related
business and are enrolled in the PPO Plan, you may be eligible to receive
the In-Network level of benefits coverage. Please contact your Office of Human
Resources before beginning your leave to determine if you qualify for
this benefit. If you participate in the POS Plan or an HMO, you may enroll in
the PPO Plan. Please contact your Office of Human Resources before beginning
your leave to make the appropriate change. If you choose to move to this health
care plan while on leave, you must remain in that plan for the duration of the
calendar year in which you return from leave.
If you are traveling overseas on personal business that is not University-sponsored or University-related business (including vacation), your coverage in the PPO Plan falls under the Out-of-Network portion of the plan. Under the POS Plan or HMO’s you are covered for emergencies only.
Suspending Coverage
If
you wish to discontinue your University health care plan coverage entirely while
you are on leave, you must write to your Office of Human Resources requesting
a personalized Benefit Enrollment Form. To reinstate coverage when you
return to the University, you must notify your Office of Human Resources in
writing one month before you return. You must be reinstated into the same health
care plan that you were enrolled in prior to your leave of absence.
Open Enrollment for Changes in Your Health Care Plan Coverage
If
you plan to be away from the Princeton University campus during the annual open
enrollment period (late October to mid-November), you should arrange for your
department to forward the open enrollment mailings to you. If you miss the open
enrollment period, no changes in health care plan coverage can be made until the
following annual open enrollment period (with changes effective the following
January 1), unless there is a change in family status.
Twenty-Four-Hour Travel Assistance Program
Princeton University faculty, staff, and students who are traveling abroad as part of their research work, or as part of their undergraduate educational experience, or through any other Princeton University-approved program, may be covered under a Twenty-Four-Hour Emergency Medical Assistance program at no additional cost. The program, provided through the University's business travel accident insurance policy, is administered by Worldwide Assistance Services, Inc. (WAS).
This Emergency Medical Assistance program is neither medical nor trip cancellation insurance. In essence, it is an international 911 number. Like a 911 number, the Emergency Medical Assistance Program is designed only to help you get competent medical care.
There is no cost. To obtain Princeton University WAS identification cards, please notify your department manager (in academic departments) or your department head (in administrative departments). Note that WAS ID card privileges are limited to full-time business/University-sponsored research travelers and are not valid for vacation or leisure travel.
The Twenty-Four-Hour TAP covers:
At present, the above services are available in every country except Afghanistan, Bosnia, Haiti, Rwanda, Yemen, Bhutan, and Somalia. The list is subject to change. The covered person should contact WAS to inquire whether a country is "open" for assistance during his or her stay.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Office of Risk Management at (609) 258-3046.
Vision Care Plan Coverage
Coverage under the Vision Care Plan (VSP) continues during your leave of absence with pay. Premiums for the Vision Care Plan are reduced from your paycheck on a pretax basis. You may not suspend this coverage while on a leave of absence with pay.
While traveling inside the country, coverage under the VSP falls under either the In-Network or the Out-of-Network portion of the plan, depending on whether or not the provider participates in VSP's national network. (You may either call VSP or utilize their website to determine whether or not a particular provider participates in the network.) Coverage while traveling overseas is limited to the Out-of-Network portion of the plan.
Open Enrollment for Changes in Your Vision Care Plan (VSP) Coverage
If
you plan to be away from the Princeton University campus during the annual open
enrollment period (late October to mid-November), you should arrange for your
department to forward the open enrollment mailings to you. If you miss the open
enrollment period, no changes in the vision care plan coverage can be made until
the following annual open enrollment period (with changes effective the
following January 1), unless there is a
change in family status.
Dental Care Plan Coverage
Administered by Horizon Dental, 800-433-6825; www.bcbsnj.com
Administered by Aetna Dental, 877-238-6200; www.aetna.com
Coverage
under the Dental Care Plan continues during your leave of absence with pay.
Premiums for the Dental Care Plan are reduced from your paycheck on a pretax
basis. You may not suspend this coverage while on a leave of absence with pay.
Open
Enrollment for Changes in Your Dental Care Plan Coverage
If
you plan to be away from the Princeton University campus during the annual open
enrollment period (late October to mid-November), you should arrange for your
department to forward the open enrollment mailings to you. If you miss the open
enrollment period, no changes in the dental care plan coverage can be made until
the following annual open enrollment period (with changes effective the
following January 1), unless there is a change in family status.
Health Benefit (HBEA) and Dependent Care Expense Account (DCEA) Plan Coverage
Administered
by Crosby Benefit Systems
1-800-462-2235; www.crosbybenefits.com
Contributions to your expense account(s) continue to be reduced from your salary as long as you receive a salary from Princeton University. You may not suspend this coverage while on a leave with pay. Aetna U.S. Healthcare must receive all claims for reimbursement by the March 31 following the end of the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.
Open Enrollment for Expense Accounts
Basic Coverage and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage
Your Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage continues under the University's Group Term Life Insurance Plan during a leave of absence with pay. The amount of your coverage during the leave is based on your annual base salary.
Supplemental Coverage
If you have elected Supplemental Life Insurance coverage, your premiums continue to be deducted from your paycheck each month. The premium payment is based on your annual base salary. While it is not possible to suspend Supplemental Life Insurance coverage during a leave, you may terminate it at any time by writing to your Office of Human Resources. However, if you reapply for
the coverage at a later date, you will be required to provide evidence of insurability.
Business Travel Coverage
Your coverage continues under the University's Group Business Travel Insurance Plan during your leave with pay. The amount of your coverage is based on the actual salary that you receive during your leave. For example, if you are on a leave with half pay and your annual base salary is $50,000, your benefit is based on your actual salary or $25,000 (half of your annual base salary). If you are traveling because of University-sponsored or University-related business, please contact the Office of Risk Management at 258-3046 to obtain an ID card and information about Worldwide Assistance Services, Inc.
You continue to be covered by the University's Temporary Disability Plan during a leave of absence with pay. Your benefit is based on the actual salary that you receive during your leave. For example, if you are approved for temporary disability while on a leave with half pay and your annual base salary is $50,000, your benefit is based on your actual salary or $25,000 (half of your annual base salary). Contact the Office of the Dean of the Faculty at 258-3096 for additional information.
Long-Term Disability Insurance Plan Coverage
If you have met the service requirement for coverage under the University's Long-Term Disability Insurance Plan on the day your leave with pay begins, coverage continues during the leave. Your benefit is based on your annual base salary at the onset of the disability. If it becomes necessary for you to receive a benefit under the Long-Term Disability Insurance Plan, your academic-related leave ends when your long-term disability leave begins.
Children's Educational Assistance Plan
This plan includes Tuition Grant and Supplemental Loan Programs. Benefits under the plan are available during a leave of absence with pay if you have met plan eligibility requirements at the time tuition grant and/or loan disbursements are made. Educational loan repayments will continue to be deducted from your paycheck. For applications and general information, contact your Office of Human Resources.
Monthly mortgage payments continue to be deducted from your paycheck each month during a leave of absence with pay.
The University makes no contributions to the Princeton University Retirement Plan while you are on an unpaid leave of absence.
Voluntary, pretax contributions to the Tax Deferred Annuity (TDA) Plan, also known as a Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA), will also cease during this period.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan
Administered by United HealthCare
877-609-2273; www.uhc.com
Point of Service (POS) Plan
Administered by Oxford Health Plans
800-303-9905; www.oxhp.com/
Aetna HMO (NJ/PA)
800-323-9930; www.aetna.com
Horizon HMO Blue
800-355-2583; www.bcbsnj.com
Catastrophic Plan
Administered by United HealthCare
877-609-2273
You may continue your health care plan coverage through the University while you are on a leave of absence without pay. If you are enrolled in the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan, the Point of Service (POS) Plan, or a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan, you receive a billing statement from Accounts Receivable, Office of the Treasurer, 3 New South Building. If you participate in the Catastrophic Plan, you are not billed, as this coverage is provided to you at no cost. Call 258-1825 if you have questions about the billing statement.
If you are a participant in the PPO Plan, your annual coinsurance limit is based on your annual base salary as of January 1 of the year in which the leave is taken.
While
traveling in the U.S., coverage under the PPO Plan falls under either the
In-Network or the Out-of-Network portion of the plan, depending on whether or
not the provider/hospital participates in United HealthCare's national network.
(The same is also true for the POS Plan; however Oxford Health Plans is a
regional health care plan company.) You may call or utilize the websites of
United HealthCare or Oxford Health Plans to determine whether or not a
particular physician/hospital is a part of the network. Under the HMO’s you
are covered for emergencies only.
If
you are traveling overseas on University-sponsored or University-related
business and are enrolled in the PPO Plan, you may be eligible to receive
the In-Network level of benefits coverage. Please contact the Office of the Dean
of the Faculty before beginning your leave to determine if you qualify for this
benefit. If you participate in the POS Plan or an HMO, you may enroll in the PPO
Plan. Please contact your Office of Human Resources before beginning your leave
to make the appropriate change. If you choose to move to the PPO plan, you must
remain in that plan for the duration of the calendar year in which you return
from leave.
If you are traveling overseas on personal business that is not University-sponsored or University-related business (including vacation), your coverage in the PPO Plan falls under the Out-of-Network portion of the plans. Under the POS Plan and the HMO’s you are covered for emergencies only.
Suspending Coverage
Open Enrollment for Changes in Your Health Care Plan Coverage
If
you plan to be away from the Princeton University campus during the annual open
enrollment period (late October to mid-November), you should arrange for your
department to forward the open enrollment mailings to you. If you miss the open
enrollment period, no changes in health care plan coverage can be made until the
following annual open enrollment period (with changes effective the following
January 1), unless there is a
change in family status.
Twenty-Four-Hour Travel Assistance Program
Princeton University faculty, staff, and students who are traveling abroad as part of their research work, or as part of their undergraduate educational experience, or through any other Princeton University-approved program, may be covered under a Twenty-Four-Hour Emergency Medical Assistance program at no additional cost. The program, provided through the University's business travel accident insurance policy, is administered by Worldwide Assistance Services, Inc. (WAS).
This Emergency Medical Assistance program is neither medical nor trip cancellation insurance. In essence, it is an international 911 number. Like a 911 number, the Emergency Medical Assistance Program is designed only to help you get competent medical care.
There is no cost. To obtain Princeton University WAS identification cards, please notify your department manager (in academic departments) or your department head (in administrative departments). Note that WAS ID card privileges are limited to full-time business/University-sponsored research travelers and are not valid for vacation or leisure travel.
The Twenty-Four-Hour TAP covers:
At present, the above services are available in every country except Afghanistan, Bosnia, Haiti, Rwanda, Yemen, Bhutan, and Somalia. The list is subject to change. The covered person should contact WAS to inquire whether a country is "open" for assistance during his or her stay.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Office of Risk Management at (609) 258-3046.
Vision Care Plan Coverage
Coverage under the Vision Care Plan continues during a leave of absence without pay. You will receive a billing statement from Accounts Receivable, Office of the Treasurer, 3 New South Building. Call 258-1825 if you have questions about the billing statement.
While traveling inside the country, coverage under the Vision Care Plan falls under either the In-Network or the Out-of-Network portion of the plan, depending on whether or not the provider participates in VSP's national network. (You may either call VSP or utilize their website to determine whether or not a particular provider participates in the network.) Coverage while traveling overseas is limited to the Out-of-Network portion of the plan.
Open Enrollment for Changes in Your Vision Care Plan CoverageDental
Care Plan Coverage
Administered by Horizon Dental, 800-433-6825; www.bcbsnj.com
Administered by Aetna Dental, 877-238-6200; www.aetna.com
Coverage under the Dental Care Plan continues during a leave of absence without pay. You will receive a billing statement from Accounts Receivable, Office of the Treasurer, 3 New South Building. Call 258-1825 if you have questions about the billing statement.
Open
Enrollment for Changes in Your Dental Care Plan Coverage
If
you plan to be away from the Princeton University campus during the annual open
enrollment period (late October to mid-November), you should arrange for your
department to forward the open enrollment mailings to you. If you miss the open
enrollment period, no changes in the dental care plan coverage can be made until
the following annual open enrollment period (with changes effective the
following January 1), unless there is a change in family status.
Health Benefit (HBEA) and Dependent Care Expense Account Plan (DCEA) Coverage
Administered
by Crosby Benefit Systems
1-800-462-2235; www.crosbybenefits.com
When you go on a leave of absence without pay, your election and participation in an expense account is revoked at the start of your leave, and no further contributions will be made. If you return from a leave without pay during the same calendar year, you may make a new election for an expense account. However, your total reimbursements for the entire calendar year cannot exceed $5,000. No expenses incurred during your leave without pay can be reimbursed from either the balance accrued prior to the start of your leave or the amount accrued from the new election made after the return from your leave without pay. Claims for eligible expenses may be filed until March 31 following the calendar year in which you took your leave. Because your participation in the expense account is terminated when you go on leave without pay, you are eligible to continue coverage under COBRA during the time you are on leave. However, any contributions you make under COBRA are made on an after-tax basis.
If you return to the University during a different calendar year and would like to reenroll in a HBEA or DCEA, you must notify your Office of Human Resources one month before your return.
Open Enrollment for Expense Accounts
Basic Coverage and Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage
Your Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage continues under the University's group term life insurance plan. The amount of your coverage during a leave of absence is based on your annual base salary.
Supplemental Coverage
If you have elected supplemental life insurance coverage, you will receive a billing statement from Accounts Receivable, Office of the Treasurer,
3 New
South Building. The premium payment is based on your annual base salary. While it is not possible to suspend supplemental life insurance coverage during a leave, you may terminate it at any time by writing to your Office of Human Resources. However, if you reapply for the coverage at a later date, you will be required to provide evidence of insurability.
Business Travel Coverage
No coverage is available under this plan during a leave of absence without pay.
No coverage is available under this plan during a leave of absence without pay. You may be eligible for coverage under the New Jersey State Temporary Disability Plan. Contact the Office of the Dean of the Faculty at 258-3096 for additional information.
Long-Term Disability Insurance Plan Coverage
If you have met the service requirement for coverage under the University's Long-Term Disability Insurance Plan on the day your leave without pay begins, coverage continues during the leave. Your benefit is based on your annual base salary at the onset of the disability. If it becomes necessary for you to receive a benefit under the Long-Term Disability Insurance Plan, your academic-related leave ends when your long-term disability leave begins.
Children's Educational Assistance Plan
This plan includes Tuition Grant and Supplemental Loan Programs. Benefits under the plan are available during a leave of absence without pay if you meet plan eligibility requirements at the time you apply for a grant or a loan. Repayment arrangements for existing loans are made through the Loan Department, Office of the Treasurer, 3 New South Building. Call 258-5039 for more information about repaying existing loans. For applications and general information, contact your Office of Human Resources.
Monthly mortgage payments should continue to be paid during a leave without pay. Payments should be sent directly to Princeton University, Mortgage Department, P.O. Box 35, Princeton, NJ 08544. Call 258-6357 for additional information.
Outlined below are examples of the effect of a leave of absence on your pay and your benefits, whether you have a regular full-time schedule or a regular part-time schedule. Both examples are based on an annual base salary of $72,000 per year.
Example 1
Leave with full pay for the academic year salary
Salary
Benefits
There is no change unless you change health care plans. Your benefits continue as if you were working your regular schedule.
Example 2
Leave with half pay for the academic year salary
Salary
Benefits
The following benefits are based on your annual base salary of $72,000 per year:
The following benefits are based on your actual salary of $36,000 per year:
Example 3
Leave without pay for the academic year salary
Salary
Benefits
The following benefits are based on your annual base salary of $72,000 per year:
The following benefits are not available while on a leave without pay:
Annual base salary
Your annual base salary is set each July 1 for the coming academic year and reflects the number of months and the percentage of duty time that you are scheduled to work. See below for the definition of full- and part-time work schedules.
Annual coinsurance limit
Your annual coinsurance limit is the maximum amount you pay out-of-pocket for your health care plan deductible and coinsurance in a calendar year before the plan pays 100 percent. The annual coinsurance limit only applies if you are a participant in the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan.
Change in family status
Summary of Eligibility for Benefits Coverage
|
|
Type of Leave |
||
|
Benefit |
Full Pay |
Partial Pay |
No Pay |
|
Retirement Plan Contributions |
|
|
|
|
Yes |
Yes(1) |
No |
|
Yes |
Yes (1) |
No |
|
Health Care Plan Coverage |
Yes |
Yes (2) |
Yes (2,*) |
|
Expense Account(s) (HBEA/DCEA) |
Yes |
Yes |
No (4) |
|
Life Insurance Plan Coverage |
|
|
|
|
Yes |
Yes (3) |
Yes (3) |
|
Yes |
Yes (3) |
Yes (3,*) |
|
Yes |
Yes (1) |
No |
|
Temporary Disability Plan Coverage |
Yes |
Yes (1) |
No |
|
Long-Term Disability Insurance Plan Coverage |
Yes |
Yes (3) |
Yes (3) |
(1) Contribution/Benefit based on actual salary.
(2) Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan (if applicable) coinsurance limit based on annual base salary as of January 1.
(3) Based on annual base salary.
(4) Monthly contributions for the period of time you are not paid will be taken out of your first paycheck in total upon return from your leave.
(*) Billed.