Optional Benefits
DENTAL INSURANCE
OPTIONAL SPECIAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE
OPTIONAL UNIVERSAL LIFE AND TERM LIFE INSURANCE
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE
SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE
COBRA
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CENTER
STATE EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM
FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PROGRAM
U.S. SAVINGS BONDS
CREDIT UNION
BENEFIT for LIFE
TENNESSEE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
RIDESHARE PROGRAM for STUDENT, FACULTY & STAFF
OPTIONAL INSURANCE PROGRAMS:
DENTAL INSURANCE
Optional dental insurance is available to all eligible ETSU employees and their dependents. You do not have to be enrolled in health coverage in order to enroll in optional dental coverage. You must pay 100% of the premium if you elect coverage. Two options are available - a Prepaid Plan and a Preferred Dentist Organization.
Prepaid Plan
The Prepaid Plan provides dental services at predetermined co-payment amounts, which are reduced fees for dental treatments when members receive service from their selected participating general dentist or from any participating specialist. There are no deductibles to meet, no claims to file, no waiting periods for covered members, no annual dollar maximum and pre-existing conditions are covered.
Preferred Dentist Organization (PDO)
The PDO Plan offers flexibility in that members may choose any dentist; however, members receive maximum benefits when visiting a PDO network provider. No referrals are required with the PDO option and you or your dentist will file claims for covered services. Some services require waiting periods and limitations and exclusions apply.
You can enroll in dental coverage as a new employee or during the annual enrollment transfer period. Detailed members handbooks may be obtained from the office of Human Resources, or for more information, visit:
http://www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/dental.html To view a comparison summary of covered services, please see the Publications & Forms section of the Tennessee Department of Finance & Administration, Insurance Administration. Detailed members handbooks may be obtained from your agency insurance preparer or from the Publications & Forms section.
For customer service, contact Fortis Benefits at the following numbers: Prepaid Dental Plan: 1-800-443-2995
Preferred Dental Organization (PDO): 1-800-866-5020
OPTIONAL SPECIAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE
For those employees who elect health coverage, basic term life and special accident coverage is provided at no cost. Also available, on a contributory basis, is optional special accident insurance for employees and dependents (spouse and children) in addition to the basic special accident death coverage. Coverage is available at low group rates; no questions asked.
OPTIONAL UNIVERSAL LIFE AND TERM LIFE INSURANCE
These programs are available on a contributory basis for all eligible employees and dependents (spouse and children) whether or not they participate in health coverage. For guaranteed-issue coverage, the employee must enroll during the first full month of employment with the state. If optional life coverage is not elected at that time, the employee may only enroll during the annual enrollment transfer period, and upon completion of a supplemental application.
The Optional Universal Life provides a death benefit, level premiums, a cash value account and policy loan provision. The Optional Term Life provides a lower cost pure death benefit product, but the premiums increase with age. Both optional life products offer advance benefit feature, which makes available part of the life insurance proceeds if an insured encounters a terminal illness.
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
Try to image life without a paycheck.� It can happen to even the best employee -- and it does -- to thousands of people a year when a disability strikes. You insure your life, your home, your car and your health. But isn't protecting your salary equally important? Would you be willing to sell your home or car? Use up all your savings? Borrow from your family and friends?
The most inexpensive protection against the financial devastation of disability is clearly group long-term disability insurance. Participation provides a variety of choices for income protection with regular monthly cash benefits, protection for your retirement income, and other services such as Social Security assistance and rehabilitation.
ETSU offers a long-term disability plan to meet your needs. The choice is yours . . . because each person's financial situation during disability and retirement can vary so substantially, you need to evaluate your needs and choose the benefit level that is right for you.
LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE
Protection for you and those you love! Protecting your financial future is important. Why risk draining your assets and compromising your freedom? A long-term care insurance plan is a cost-effective way to fund the costly expense of long-term care while also helping to preserve your savings and assets.
If you want to remain independent and not have to burden your loved ones to provide care or finance your care, then consider long-term care insurance. Long-term care insurance provides coverage for home care, nursing facility or assisted living facility and community-based expenses, offering you a full range of long-term care options.
We invite you to view the Program Overview and Outline of Coverage at http://www.LTC-TN.com to learn more details about the State of Tennessee Long-Term Care Insurance Plan.
If you have additional questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-866-615-LTCi(5824) or visit
http://www.LTC-TN.com.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE
ETSU may provide you with medical insurance benefits, but these benefitswill not cover such costs as deductibles, loss of earning power and other out-of-pocket expenses associated with an illness or accident. At the American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (AFLAC), the policies pay cash benefits directly to you, unless you choose otherwise. These cash benefits can be used to help fill the gaps in your primary health care plan.
With AFLAC insurance policies, you choose the types of coverage you want and pay for them through the convenience of payroll deduction. And because your premiums can be paid on a pre-tax basis, you may save tax dollars or even be able to add benefits without affecting your take-home pay. Moreover, the AFLAC policies pay benefits regardless of any other insurance you may have.
If you are interested in obtaining AFLAC coverage for you or your family, or are seeking information about AFLAC's policies and services, the office of Human Resources can assist you. Or for more information, visit http://www.aflac.com, or call the local AFLAC office at 423-913-0241.
COBRA
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 (COBRA) is a federal law that allows eligible employees and/or dependents (spouse and children) who are losing their health or dental benefits to continue coverage in certain circumstances where coverage might otherwise end. Qualified beneficiaries may be eligible to continue coverage for a specific length of time following certain qualifying events. Through COBRA, individuals pay the entire monthly premium plus a two percent administrative fee, and may be able to remain insured with their health plan for up to 18, 29, or 36 months.
COBRA coverage is available to qualified beneficiaries. Qualified beneficiaries include an employee, the employee's eligible spouse and dependent children who were covered under the state group insurance program immediately prior to termination. The Division of Insurance will send a COBRA notification letter with an application to an employee's home address automatically within 30 days from the date insurance coverage terminates.
All COBRA benefit questions should be directed to the Division of Insurance Administration at 615-741-3590 or 1-800-253-9981, or to Human Resources at 423-439-6126.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CENTER
The Department of Campus Recreation, a unit in the Division of Student Affairs, provides a wide range of physical activities and recreational sports for the entire ETSU community. Five types of programs are offered: fitness, intramural sports, non-credit instruction, outdoor adventure, and sports clubs.
All programs operate out of the Center for Physical Activity, a 'state-of-the-art' indoor and outdoor complex designed for the exclusive recreational use of the ETSU student body and current employees. The 'CPA' was built and operates with student fee dollars. Indoor spaces include: basketball/soccer/volleyball courts, climbing wall, group exercise/rnartial arts studio, pool, racquetball/squash courts, and weight rooms (huge weight room). There is also a casual care service, equipment room, locker room, and personal training suite. Directly adjacent to the CPA is the Basler Challenge course with its towers, walls, and low elements. Also located beside the building are two lighted ball fields that can accommodate a range of team sports.
Full-time faculty/staff members who present a valid University ID may use the CPA at no charge. Any full-time faculty/staff members may purchase a membership for their spouse and children. A membership pass can be purchased at the equipment room desk in the Center for Physical Activity. Dependents ages 16-21 will receive their own ID card while children younger than 16 must be accompanied by their parents at all times and present a blue "dependent pass" to enter the building.
It is the goal of the Department of Campus Recreation to provide a complete service schedule of events, programs and services for the entire ETSU community. The program is all-inclusive and previous athletic experience or skill is not a prerequisite for participation.� For more information, call 439-7980, visit http://www.etsu.edu/students/intramur/generalinfo.htm or come by the department office in the Center for Physical Activity.
STATE EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
Helping you adopt a healthier lifestyle through information and events that focus on behaviors affecting health and well-being is the business of the State Employee Wellness Program. Programs include: Babies First Prenatal Program, designed to encourage early prenatal care; and fitness center discounts available to all insurance plan members (more information available at:
http://www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/wellness/fit.html).
For more information, you may call 615-741-8675 or 1-800-253-9981, or contact Human Resources at 439-6126.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Retirement will probably be the biggest expense you will ever face. Fortunately, as an ETSU employee, you are already building retirement through an employer pension and Social Security. An employer pension and Social Security are two of the three ingredients necessary for sound retirement financing. The third ingredient is personal savings. To make it easier for you to save the third ingredient for retirement, the state offers the DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM. This program lets you set aside regular deposits through payroll reduction, beginning with as little as $30 per month. And best of all, it allows you to set that money aside before federal income taxes are applied.
The DEFERRED COMPENSATION PROGRAM offers a number of financial advantages. The program allows you to select from two approved plans: a 457 Plan and a 401(k) Plan, and also provides a variety of investment options. You may obtain prospectuses and fund profile sheets for the available investment options from the program's Internet site at http://www.treasury.state.tn.us/dc.
FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PROGRAM
The Tennessee Board of Regents offers Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to help you save money on your eligible medical and dependent care expenses. A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an IRS-approved, tax-free account that saves you money on eligible medical and dependent care expenses. By enrolling in Flexible Spending Accounts, you authorize per-pay-period deposits to your FSA from your before-tax salary. Then, as you incur eligible expenses, you request tax-free withdrawals from your account to reimburse yourself. There are two kinds of FSAs: a Medical Expense FSA and a Dependent Care FSA. If you incur both types of expenses, you can establish both accounts. You never have to pay federal or state income and Social Security taxes on the money you contribute to your FSA. Since you pay less in taxes, you have more spendable income.
If you have questions, call Fringe Benefits Management Company at 1-800-342-8017. You may also email Customer Service at http://www.myfbmc.com.
U.S. SAVINGS BONDS
U.S. Savings Bonds are a safe, easy way to save money and a solid addition to your investment portfolio. Savings Bonds are competitive, safe, affordable, convenient, accessible, and have tax benefits. Over 55 million people are taking advantage of Savings Bonds. Whether you select Treasury's news I Bond or the Series EE Bond, your money is guaranteed to grow and remain safe into the future. For as little as $25, you can start saving money with U.S. Savings Bonds. For more information on savings bonds, visit the website at http://www.savingsbonds.gov, call 1-800-4US- BOND for current recorded rate information, or write to: U.S. Savings Bonds, Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328.
CREDIT UNION
Financial Fitness Made Easy - Services that will meet all your financial needs. Tennessee Teachers Credit Union is the 5th largest credit union in Tennessee. TTCU serves 30,000 members at 13 branches and has assets of over $203 million. Anyone who is employed in the field of education, active or retired, in Tennessee is eligible to apply for membership. Just keep $25 in your savings account and use TTCU's services. For more information, visit http://www.ttcu.org/ or call 423-439-4423 (ETSU campus location) or 423-915-0222 (Sunset Drive location).
BENEFIT for LIFE
They say knowledge is power WE AGREE.
One 30 minute session could change your life and save your family hundreds to thousands of dollars. Benefit for Life provides you knowledge, practical tools and savings opportunities to protect your family from life changing events.
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Living Will
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Medical Power of Attorney
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Guardianship Information
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Caregiver Resources
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Veteran's Burial Information
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Medicaid Spend Down
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Create A Will Worksheet
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Membership Savings for Funeral and Cemetery Needs
-10% Pre Need or 5% At Time of Need
- Membership savings covers spouse, dependent children, parents and grandparents of the employee -
10% discount for Pet Cremations, Monuments or Urns
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Membership discounts and offerings from Preferred Provider network: Florists, Hotels, Pharmacy, Home Security, Assisted Living, Financial Planners and more.
Benefit for Life is offered to employers and employees as a community service of Heritage Family Funeral and Cemetery Services, Inc., 423-283-4800, ext. 213.� Contact person: Rita Fricker.
TENNESSEE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
THDA's Mission: Leading Tennessee Home by creating safe, sound, and affordable housing opportunities THDA's goal is to provide housing assistance to those in need, and to do so by offering a variety of programs to serve various types of need. One of the primary ways we assist people is by offering mortgages for first-time homebuyers, at below conventional market interest rates.Contact THDA at http://www.thda.org.
RideShare Program
The RideShare Program is an ETSU resource designed to assist students, staff, and faculty find shared rides and help in their commute by saving money, travel expenses, and gasoline, along with reducing environmental impact as part of the University's green initiatives. For more information and a printable version of the RideShare Registration and Wavier forms, visit the Commuter Students page.
For more information, call 423-439-6126.