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Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits
Medical and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
Making Changes to Plans and Coverages
Short-term and Long-term Disability Insurance
Tuition Waiver
Employment Verifications
Miscellaneous
BENEFITS
- How do I enroll in the college medical, dental or vision insurance, or the medical/dependent care reimbursement accounts?
- Can I make changes to
the college medical, dental or vision, or the medical/dependent care
reimbursement accounts?
- Until what age are my
dependents covered for medical/dental insurance?
-
I am leaving
employment with the College, when does my health insurance end?
How do I enroll in the college medical, dental or vision insurance, or the medical/dependent care reimbursement accounts?
Benefits-eligible faculty and staff must complete a Health Insurance Enrollment form within 30 days of their date of hire. If enrollment is not completed within 30 days of date of hire, the employee must wait until the annual Open Enrollment period to enroll. Open Enrollment is held each June and coverage is effective on July 1. Membership cards will come directly from the benefit provider anywhere from 7 to 30 days from the time your forms are processed by the State. Once your health insurance co-share is deducted from your paycheck that will indicate the premium payment has been made by the State to the carrier. We recommend that you do not use your medical, dental or vision coverage until you receive your membership card.
Can I make changes to the college medical, dental or vision, or the medical/dependent care reimbursement accounts?
Generally, changes to your medical, dental, vision or to the medical/dependent care reimbursement accounts are only allowed during the annual Open Enrollment period. However, if you experience a “qualifying event,” a change in enrollment will be allowed if forms and documentation are submitted within 30 days of the event (90 days if marriage). Qualifying events are: birth/adoption of a child; marriage or divorce; death of a spouse or dependent; change in employment status of spouse; and termination of employment. Forms are available on the Human Resources website http://www.ccri.edu/pers/forms.shtml and in the Human Resources Office. Supporting evidence of any status changes that takes place other than during the annual open enrollment period must be attached to the Health Insurance Enrollment/State Change Form and forwarded to the Human Resources Office.
Until what age are my dependents covered for medical/dental insurance?
Your dependents are covered until the end of the calendar year after their 19th birthday or up to age 25 while maintaining student status. If student status ends, coverage will end the last day of the calendar year of the student status change. The Affidavit of Student Status is available on the Human Resources website http://www.ccri.edu/pers/forms.shtml and in the Human Resources Office.
I am leaving employment with the College, when does my health insurance end?
If you are leaving the college, benefits end your last day of the pay period in which you terminate. Continuation coverage (COBRA), at your cost for up to a period of 18 months, may be available under the COBRA law. If you choose continuation of coverage, the State of Rhode Island is required to allow you to purchase coverage which, as of the time coverage is being provided, is identical to the coverage provided under the plan to similarly situate employees or family members. Dependent children who cease to be a “dependent” may qualify for COBRA if you notify the State within 60 days of the occurrence. Contact the COBRA office at 401-222-3279.
MEDICAL AND DEPENDENT CARE REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNTS - What is the Medical Care Reimbursement Plan?
- What happens if I terminate employment?
- What is the Dependent
Care Reimbursement Plan?
- I signed up for the Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Plans; how do I get reimbursed?
What is the Medical Care Reimbursement Plan?
The Medical Care Reimbursement plan is a flexible spending account that allows you to put aside pre-tax dollars out of your pay for “eligible” medical expenses. To be eligible for reimbursement, the medical expense must be incurred by you or an eligible dependent during the plan year, may not be reimbursable by any insurance or other source, constitute a deductible medical expense as defined by the IRS, and be submitted along with a receipt from the medical service provider. Expenses such as deductibles, office visit copayments, prescription copayments, orthodontics, and eyeglasses are eligible for reimbursement. The maximum amount is $5,000 for the plan year. It is extremely important to estimate your plan year expenses carefully, because the IRS imposes two rules: (1) your election is irrevocable for the plan year unless a change of status occurs and (2) “use it or lose it” any money remaining in your account at the end of the plan year will be forfeited. The plan runs according to the fiscal year, it runs July 1st through June 30th. For more information call the Human Resources office.
What happens if I terminate employment?
If you terminate employment, your participation in the Medical FSA will automatically terminate. However, you can receive reimbursement for eligible health care expenses incurred prior to termination. If coverage would otherwise end due to a qualifying event as outlined in the COBRA laws, you and your covered spouse and dependents may be able to continue participation in the plan on an after tax-basis. Your benefits administrator will provide you with information on how to continue coverage under the Medical FSA, if Continuation is an option.
What is the Dependent Care Reimbursement Plan?
The Dependent Care Reimbursement plan is a flexible spending account that allows you to put aside pre-tax dollars out your pay for qualified expenses related to the care of your children age 12 and under and/or elderly or incapacitated dependents (such as custodial care of an elder). The plan allows you to receive payments on a tax-favored basis as you incur the expense rather than waiting each year until tax filing. The IRS limits the amount you can have withheld from your pay each year and lists “eligible expenses” that qualify for reimbursement. The maximum amount is $5,000 for the plan year. In addition, it is extremely important to estimate your plan year expenses carefully, because the IRS imposes two rules: (1) your election is irrevocable for the plan year unless a change of status occurs and (2) “use it or lose it” any money remaining in your account at the end of the plan year will be forfeited. The plan runs according to the fiscal year, it runs July 1st through June 30th. For more information call the Human Resources Office.
I signed up for the Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Plans; how do I get reimbursed?
To get reimbursed for either account, you must complete and submit a Request for Reimbursement Claim form to Cornerstone. Along with the reimbursement form, you must include an itemized bill. Forms are available on the Human Resources website http://www.ccri.edu/pers/forms.shtml and in the Human Resources Office. You may visit the Cornerstone Admin Services website at http://teamcornerstone.com/flexhelp/. Claims can be mailed to: Cornerstone Admin Services, LLC 1350 Division Road, Suite 301 West Warwick, RI 02893. Contact them at (800) 720-4460 or at support@teamcornerstone.com.
MAKING CHANGES TO PLANS AND COVERAGES
- How do I change my
address for medical, dental and vision?
- How do I change my
retirement plan or supplemental retirement plan contributions?
- How do I change my
retirement company election?
- How do I make a
change to the funds I have selected with an investment company?
- How do I verify or
change my retirement plan beneficiary election?
- How do I make a
change my address for my retirement plan investment accounts?
- How do I verify or
change my life insurance beneficiary?
How do I change my address for medical, dental and vision?
You must complete a CCRI Personal Data Change form. Please complete this form and return it to CCRI’s Human Resources Office for processing. The form is available on the Human Resources website http://www.ccri.edu/pers/forms.shtml and in the Human Resources Office.
How do I change my retirement plan or supplemental retirement plan contributions?
You may make a change to the amount of their contribution at any time by submitting a new original 403(b) Retirement Authorization form. Forms are available on the Human Resources website http://www.ccri.edu/pers/forms.shtml and in the Human Resources office. You must contribute at least the 5% if you are participating in the BOG Retirement Plan. Employee Retirement System (ERS) participants must contribute the fixed amount as set by the RI State Employee Retirement Board. This is currently set at 8.75%. Participants in the ERS retirement program as also able to participate in the Group Supplemental Retirement plan. Group Supplemental Retirement Annuity forms are available on the Human Resources website http://www.ccri.edu/pers/forms.shtml and in the Human Resources Office.
How do I change my retirement company election?
You may change investment companies, switching from AIG to MetLife or TIAA-CREF, at any time by completing a new 403(b) Retirement Authorization form. If the participant has not previously had an account with the new investment company, an application for the new investment company will also be required. Forms are available on the Human Resources website http://www.ccri.edu/pers/forms.shtml and in the Human Resources Office.
How do I make a change to the funds I have selected with an investment company?
You may make a change to their investment fund choices within the investment company at any time by phone or on the Internet. Please contact AIG, MetLife and/or TIAA-CREF directly for assistance and additional information.
How do I verify or change my retirement plan beneficiary election?
You may verify or change their retirement plan beneficiary election at any time by contacting AIG, MetLife or TIAA-CREF by phone or on the internet. Completed forms should be sent directly to the provider. Employee Retirement Participants (ERS) can contact the Human Resources Office for a beneficiary form or go online to the ERS website http://ersri.org/public/forms/ to download a form. Completed forms can be sent directly to ERS.
How do I make a change my address for my retirement plan investment accounts?
You may verify or change your address and your beneficiary election for your retirement plan accounts by contacting AIG, MetLife or TIAA-CREF directly by phone or on the internet.
How do I verify or change my life insurance beneficiary?
Contact CCRI’s Human Resources Office at ext. 2311 to verify your current life insurance beneficiary election. If you would like to make a change in your beneficiary election, please complete a Life Insurance Beneficiary Election form which is available on the Human Resources website http://www.ccri.edu/pers/forms.shtml and at the Human Resources Office. Completed forms should be returned to CCRI’s Human Resources Office.
SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
- Can I apply for
Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)?
- What happens if I
become totally disabled?
- How long will my
benefits continue?
- What happens if I am
injured at work?
Can I apply for Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI)?
Rhode Island State employees DO NOT contribute to, or participate in, the Rhode Island Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program due to the ability to accrue sick time. TDI is a short term disability program. Employees can opt to purchase short term disability insurance through AFLAC. New hires can purchase AFLAC within the first 30 days of hire by contacting our representative Doreen Sylvia at 401-521-7700 ext 75 or via email at sweetiep@cox.net. All other employees can purchase or modify their contracts during the Open Enrollment period which is held in June.
What happens if I become totally disabled?
Our insurance carrier for long-term disability is The Standard Life Insurance. Long-term disability benefits partially replace your income if you become totally or partially disabled. The period of time that you need to be continuously or partially disabled before your long term disability benefits are payable (also known as your elimination period) is 180 days. If your disability is approved under the requirements outlined by The Standard, you could receive up to 60 percent of your total monthly earnings. The maximum monthly benefit you could receive is $7,000. If you have an extended illness, you will need to contact the CCRI’s Human Resources Office about the process for applying for long-term disability insurance.
How long will my benefits continue?
The amount of time your long-term disability benefits will continue depends on the age at which your disability begins. Typically if you become disabled at age 59 or lower and have been approved for a long-term disability benefit from The Standard, your benefit will continue until age 65. Note that The Standard will on occasion ask you and/or your physicians for more information or updates regarding your illness, treatments, etc. The Standard reserves the right at any time to discontinue your benefit payments if it is found that you no longer meet eligibility criteria to receive a long-term disability benefit. Refer to the Summary Plan Description available in CCRI’s Human Resources Office for more information about the length of benefits and eligibility criteria.
What happens if I am injured at work?
Be sure to notify your supervisor of any injury/incident, no matter how minor it may appear to be. You should also contact security at your location. A 24 Hour Notification form must be completed by your supervisor and in addition and Injury/Incident Report must be completed by both you and your supervisor. Both forms must be sent to the Human Resources Office as quickly as possible so that you can get the care that you may need.
TUITION WAIVER
- Am I eligible for a
Tuition Waiver?
- How do I apply for
Tuition Waiver?
Am I eligible for a Tuition Waiver?
If you are a full-time State employee on the bi-weekly payroll (calendar or academic year), you and your dependents may be eligible for a Tuition Waiver. The waiver is limited strictly to tuition. All other fees, books, supplies, travel and other expenses must be paid by the individual.
How do I apply for Tuition Waiver?
Tuition waiver forms are available to all full-time employees. Tuition waiver forms are not applicable to non-credit, EMBA or specialty courses. Tuition waiver forms are available on the Human Resources website http://www.ccri.edu/pers/forms.shtml and in the Human Resources Office. All tuition waiver forms for CCRI, RIC and URI, must be pre-approved before submitting.
EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATIONS
- Who do employees
refer someone to for verification of their employment with the college
(for mortgage applications, credit applications, etc.)?
- Who do employees
refer someone to for verification of educational history verification
and/or transcripts from the college?
Who do employees refer someone to for verification of their employment with the college (for mortgage applications, credit applications, etc.)?
Refer all required verifications to CCRI’s Human Resources Office. All requests must be in writing. Requests can be faxed to 401-825-2345.
Who do employees refer someone to for verification of educational history verification and/or transcripts from the college?
Refer all education verifications to Enrollment Services at ext. 2003.
MISCELLANEOUS
- How many sick days do
I get per year?
- How many vacation days do I get per year?
- How many personal
days do I get per year?
- How many days off do
I get for the death of a family member?
- How do I apply for
statutory status?
- I am
due for a longevity increase, should I be contacting Human Resources?
How many sick days do I get per year?
An employee is entitled to sick leave in accordance with the provisions of his/her collective bargaining agreement. Employees who are unable to report to work should notify their direct supervisor before the scheduled start of their workday.
How many vacation days do I get per year?
All full-time, calendar year employees are eligible for annual leave in accordance with the provisions of his/her collective bargaining agreement. Employees who work less than full-time or work academic year should refer to their collective bargaining agreement to determine eligibility for annual leave.
How many personal days do I get per year?
All full-time employees, except academic year faculty, are entitled to four (4) personal days with pay per calendar year to attend to personal matters or religious observances which cannot be reasonably attended to outside of the normal work day. Employees are not required to give a reason as a condition of approval for the use of personal leave. Supervisory approval of a request for use of personal leave, however, must be obtained in advance. Personal days may not be carried forward to the next calendar year. Any days remaining at the end of the calendar year will be forfeited.
How many days off do I get for the death of a family member?
Bereavement leave is available for all employees who need to take time off due to the death of an immediate family member. Immediate supervisors should be notified as soon as possible regarding the circumstances. Each collective bargaining agreement outlines the amount of bereavement time allowable for the death of an immediate family member and a listing of those family members included in the definition of "immediate family. Bereavement leave should be indicated on the employee’s leave report. Employees may use available sick leave for any additional time off needed.
How do I apply for statutory status?
Statutory status is available to all employees who were hired prior to August 7, 1996. Employees must complete a 20- Year Statutory Status Application which is available on the Human Resources website http://www.ccri.edu/pers/forms.shtml and in CCIR’s Human Resources Office. The form needs to be returned to CCRI’s Human Resources Office for processing.
I am due for a longevity increase, should I be contacting Human Resources?
Longevity increases are granted to all Classified and those Non-Classified employees who are pay grade 18 or lower. Longevity is calculated on the employee's years of state service (base entry date). CCRI’S Human Resources Office automatically processes these increases; there is no action required on the part of the employee. The employee will receive a copy of the CS3 to confirm the increase has been processed.
