Insurance

Faculty, Administration and Staff employees are eligible for a generous variety of pre- and post-tax insurance choices through the State of Florida and private insurance providers. 

Pre-Tax benefits are offered through the State of Florida and its benefits plan administrator, People First. These Pre-tax benefits include Health insurance, State life insurance (Basic, Optional, Spouse and Dependent ), Dental, Vision, coverage for Cancer and Intensive Care, Supplemental Hospital insurance, Accident / Disability insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts. Click the links on the left menu for additional information on these plans.

Post-tax benefits are offered through the Gabor Agency. These Post-tax benefits include, Life insurance, Disability insurance, and Long term care.

Clinical physicians in the College of Medicine may be eligible for additional benefits through the USF Physicians Group.

Employees must work an average of 30 hours per week at the point of hire or over a defined measurement period to meet eligibility criteria for state health and some supplemental plans unless a status change results in an increase to the expected hours; coverage will not be offered for Optional Life or Medical Reimbursement Accounts. 

For more information review the OPS Eligibility information at People First.

Pre-Tax benefits are offered through the State of Florida and its benefits plan administrator, People First.  These Pre-tax benefits include Health insurance, State life insurance (Basic, Spouse and Dependent), Dental, Vision, coverage for Cancer and Intensive Care, Supplemental Hospital insurance, Accident / Disability insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts.  Click the links on the left menu for additional information on these plans.

Post-tax benefits are offered through the Gabor Agency.  These Post-tax benefits include, Whole Life insurance.  Click Supplemental Insurance in the left menu for complete details. 

USF Postdoctoral Scholars are eligible for benefits that include medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. To participate, you must enroll for medical, dental, life and disability insurance within 60 days of beginning employment at USF or during the annual open enrollment period. Administration of the health plan is handled by Academic HealthPlans (AHP).

Postdoctoral Scholars must meet all eligibility guidelines to participate.  Click Postdoctoral Scholars in the left menu for more information. 

Eligible Graduate Assistants/Associates (GAs) at USF may participate in the USF Student Health Insurance Plan and, as a GA, may be eligible to have your insurance premium paid by the university. The Student Health Insurance Plan is administered by Academic HealthPlans (AHP) in conjunction with USF Student Health and Wellness, and the insurance policy is provided by Aetna. 

GAs must meet all eligibility guidelines to participate.  Click Graduate Assistants in the left menu for more information on Graduate Insurance.

1. Who is eligible?
   Full-time and Part-time university employees appointed to a benefits-eligible position may elect to participate in the insurance plans and the various supplemental plans offered at USF.
   
   
2. Is enrollment automatic?
   No. Employees must enroll in their benefits through the state benefits administrator, People First, within 60 days of the date of hire.
   
   The effective date for insurance coverage (medical only) is the first day of the month following completion and submission of the enrollment forms and the coordination of payment for a full month’s premium. For example, if you are hired and complete documentation on July 15, your (medical only) insurance will be effective August 1.
   
   
3. Is there a waiting period for insurance to begin?
   Employees are eligible to enroll in state-sponsored insurance coverage to be effective on the first day of the month following their date of hire, subject to guidelines involving submission of enrollment forms and the coordination of premium payment.
   
   
4. How long can I keep my children on my insurance?
   Children may remain on the employee’s insurance plan until the end of the calendar year in which they turn age 26. Additionally, for health insurance only, coverage for children age 26 through the end of the calendar year in which the child turns 30 may be purchased at an additional premium for an over-age dependent if:
   
   
   • They are unmarried, and
   • They have no dependents of their own, and
   • They are dependent on you for financial support, and
   • They live in Florida or attend school in another state, and
   • They have no other health insurance.
     
     Optional coverage for over-age children is not automatic. The employee must enroll these children in an individual policy through People First. Please note that by enrolling the child(ren) the employee agrees to pay premiums for the entire plan year through payroll deduction. For additional information on premium rates and to enroll, contact People First at 866-663-4735.
     
     
5. Does family health coverage cost the same with only one dependent?
   Yes, regardless of the number of dependents or if the dependent is your spouse or child(ren), the cost of family coverage is the same.
   
   
6. If I haven't received or lost my insurance card(s), what do I do?
   Contact your insurance company to request new cards and contact People First to verify your mailing address. If your mailing address is incorrect with People First, log into GEMS Self-Service to update your address.
   
   
7. If I did not enroll in health insurance when I was hired, can I change my mind later?
   Employees have 60 days from the date of hire to enroll. After that time period, employees may only enroll during the annual open enrollment period or if they experience a qualifying status change.
   
   
8. What happens to my premium rates if I go from full-time to part-time employment?
   Premiums are based on an employee’s percentage of full-time employment (FTE). If an employee changes from full-time to part-time, the FTE will change and they can expect to pay more of the monthly insurance premium. If an employee experiences a change in employment status, contact People First for options and premium rates.
   
   
9. My spouse and I are going to have a baby soon. When should I add my child to my coverage?
   People First urges employees who anticipate the birth of a child to change to family coverage as soon as they become aware of the pregnancy. However, if individual coverage is in effect at the time of the baby’s birth, the employee will have 60 days from the birth of the child to enroll in family coverage. The effective date of coverage will be retroactive to the beginning of the month in which the child was born and premiums will be due accordingly.
   
   
10. I'm not satisfied with my services. What can I do?
    Contact your health plan’s member services area and voice your complaint. You may change primary care physicians or dentists at any time. If you are still not satisfied, follow proper grievance procedures as outlined by the insurance plan. You may also contact People First regarding the appeals process for state-sponsored benefits.
    Changing from one insurance plan to another may only occur during open enrollment.
    
    
11. Can I cancel my insurance because I cannot afford it?
    Outside of the annual open enrollment period, an employee must experience a qualifying status change (QSC) event in order to cancel or make other changes during the plan year. Otherwise, the employee may cancel only during annual open enrollment.
    
    
12. What happens to my insurance coverage if I decide to go on a leave of absence?
    Please email benefits@usf.edu for assistance. 
    
    
13. Can I keep my health insurance coverage after I leave the university?
    COBRA (the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) allows former employees and/or qualified dependents to continue their health, dental, and vision coverage for up to 18 months following termination.
    Paperwork will be mailed directly from People First to the employee’s home address on file. To continue any other supplemental coverage, the employee must contact the company within 31 days after the termination to complete all appropriate forms.
    
    
14. How do I get a prescription filled before I receive my I.D. card?
    For general information about your pharmacy benefits, please Contact Optum Rx Customer Service at 800-547-9767.
    
    
15. My statement from my insurance carrier are going to the wrong address. What should I do?
    The employee should update their address within GEMS Self-Service.