Separation Benefits & Compensation

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions & Answers

A. Your benefits remain in effect until the last day of the month in which you worked.

COBRA

• A. COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) is part of a federal law that allows employees who separate from employment the right to continue their current health insurance. COBRA provides you with an opportunity to continue medical/prescription coverage and dental coverage for up to 18 months if you had coverage through the Emory University health plans. There are circumstances where coverage may be extended:
  • 29 months is available to employees who are determined to have been disabled at any time during the first 60 days of COBRA coverage. This would apply to qualified beneficiaries.
  • Up to 36 months for spouses and dependents facing a loss of employer-provided coverage due to an employee's death or a divorce.

You may continue participation in the Health Care Flexible Spending Account Plan through COBRA until December 31st of the year of your termination of employment.

A. Upon departmental notification of your termination, we will send you information on how to enroll, and the cost of coverage under COBRA. Typically, you should receive this information approximately 15 to 30 days following your termination date. Make sure your correct address is in Employee Self Service.

A. You have 60 days after your termination date, or from the date of notification whichever is later, to complete your enrollment for COBRA continuation coverage.

A. Yes. You may continue any or all of the coverage for which you are eligible.

A. In most cases you must keep the same coverage and/or carrier you have currently. There are some instances that may allow you to elect a different coverage but you must contact the Emory COBRA Administrator for a detailed answer and circumstances.

A. For answers to detailed questions, you can access your benefits information, vendor contact information, and your personal information, through Employee Self Service on the Emory website. You simply need your network ID and password. (Contact the IT Department at (404) 727-7777 if you need this information.)

If you can not access Employee Self Service, call the Benefits Department at (404) 727-7613.

A. Yes, your spouse and your dependents are covered as long as they were enrolled on your benefits on the day before your employment ends and they are properly enrolled for COBRA benefits. Dependents are covered up to age 26.

A. No there is no gap in coverage. Coverage is dated back to the Cobra Qualifying Event date. Coverage must be continuous and the Cobra Administrator, AI Group, must recieve your paperwork for continuation in the proper timeframe.

A. If you have eligible dependents not currently enrolled, they may not be enrolled except during the annual enrollment period or as a result of a qualified change in status.

A. The COBRA Rate is the full premium rate plus an additional 2%. (102% of the total premium).

A. No. Depending on when you elected COBRA coverage, you have 45 days after notifying AI Group of your intent to enroll in COBRA before any payment is due. Your first payment includes premiums back to the date your coverage terminated. Coverage must be continuous.

A. Premiums are made payable to the AI Group at:

AI Group Inc

PO Box 80568

Athens, GA 30608

Prescription Drug Coverage

A. If you elect Health coverage under COBRA, you continue to have prescription coverage.

If you do not elect the Health coverage under COBRA, you do not have prescription coverage.

Flexible Spending Accounts

A. If you are enrolled in the Health Care and/or Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), contributions end with your last check. You may be able to continue your participation in the Health Care Flexible Spending Account Plan through COBRA. (Refer to FAQ 2.).

A. According to IRS regulations, Dependent Day Care FSA and Health Care FSA contributions remaining after the end of the Plan year are forfeited (known as the “use it or lose it” rule).

A. For your Health Care Spending Account, you may only submit claims for services rendered prior to your termination date, UNLESS you decide to continue participation under COBRA. This allows you to submit claims for services incurred beyond your termination date.

For Dependent Day Care Reimbursement for 2010, you may continue to submit claims until your balance is exhausted for claims prior to separation.

Dependent Day Care claims for reimbursement must be postmarked no later than March 30, 2013 to be eligible for reimbursement.

HealthCare claims for reimbursement must be postmarked no later than May 15, 2013 to be eligible for reimbursement.

For 2011 claims information, contact UMR at (866) 226-8084 .

Mail your claims to:

UMR
Claims Department
P.O. Box 8022 Wausau, WI 54402-8022

A. Contact UMR at (866) 226-8084

Life Insurance

A. Basic, Supplemental, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment ceases on the last day of the month in which your separation occurs. Basic and Supplemental coverage may be able to be ported and/or converted within 31 days of separation. To convert your coverage, contact The Standard Employee Benefits at (866) 756-8118. AD&D may not be ported or converted.

You are responsible for mailing the continuation form and any payments to The Standard. You must return this form and pay the premiums to The Standard within 31 days of your last date worked.

Disability Coverage

A. Short Term Disability ends at the date of separation. You may convert the Long Term Disability, Long Term Care, and Supplemental Income Protection Plan to an individual disability plan within 31 days of separation. Conversion packages are available from the Benefits Department. This coverage is different than the University coverage and COLA is not offered.

Retirement Plans

A.If you were participating in the 403(b) plan and were hired before January 1, 2003, you are fully vested and, at separation, your account can remain in the Emory Plan, be rolled over into an IRA, or you can receive a cash distribution (subject to tax and penalties). Those hired after December 31, 2002, are fully vested in employee contributions to the plan, but must meet a vesting schedule for Emory’s contributions. If you have questions regarding your retirement account, please contact your retirement vendor(s) at:

Vanguard	(800) 523-1188
Fidelity	(800) 343-0860
TIAA-CREF	(800) 842-2252

Please note: If you request a direct rollover, you should coordinate with the organization you will be working for or the mutual fund company you want to roll your funds into and contact their plan administrator to find out what documentation they require for accepting rollovers. Having all paperwork together expedites the process of the rollover.

A. You must be terminated from Emory and all Affiliates to receive your distribution. Contact your department to have them initiate the process to have the system updated showing your termination status.

A. As long as you are terminated in the system and all paperwork is completed properly and signed by the vendor, you should receive your distribution in 2-3 weeks.

Note:

• 1. Forms are signed when the completed distribution form is received at the vendor or you. Make sure the forms are original and the spousal waiver or non spouse waiver is signed and notarized.
• 2. You cannot work for any part of Emory or Affiliates in order to receive your distribution.

A. Your account can remain in Emory when you leave.

A. Upon termination, you still are obligated to pay your loans with TIAA CREF and Fidelity. If you are terminated, loans are not permitted from TIAA CREF or Fidelity.

A. Call the vendor(s) that you participated with and your status can be determined.

A. If you were participating in the 457(b) plan, please contact your retirement vendor(s).

Vanguard	(800) 523-1188
Fidelity	(800) 343-0860
TIAA-CREF	(800) 842-2776

You have 90 days from separation to make a one time irrevocable decision on when you want to take a distribution. If you do not make a decision in 90 days, the money is distributed to you in a 5 year, 5 installments and is be subject to taxes. After the 90 days and the vendor is notified, you receive the money in 2-3 weeks.

Paychecks and Other

A. Your final pay, depending on your date of termination, is deposited into your account. Your pay advice is sent through interoffice to your department. Contact the Payroll Department at (404) 727-6100 if you have any questions.

A. Unused vacation is paid out (depending on status and accrual maximums) and is deposited into your account. Taxes are taken out. Contact the Payroll Department at (404) 727-6100 if you have any questions.

A. All expenses remaining for reimbursement is disbursed from the accounting department.

A. You need to work with your department on this issue.

A. All laptops, security badges, and any other Emory equipment is owned by Emory and must be returned to your department by the last day of employment.

A. For employment only, contact The Work Number TALX at (800) 367-5690. For employment and income verification, contact The Work Number TALX at (800) 367-2884.

The employer code is 11322

A. Prepaid Legal ends on the date your employment ends. Contact Hyatt Legal at (800) 821-6400 within 30 days for information on individual coverage.

Emory University Benefits

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1599 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-7613
Starting NOVEMBER 1, 2011 New Hours of Operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm Wed - 8:00am - 3:00pm