FAQ’S ON BENEFITS
Q: What health insurance plans does Southeastern offer?
A: Southeastern offers 1) Office of Group Benefits PPO Plan, 2) Office of Group Benefits
EPO Plan, 3) FARA MCO, and 4) Ochsner Health Plan.
Q: Who is eligible for health insurance?
A: All full time employees are eligible for health insurance. For insurance purposes,
full-time is an employee who works at least 30 hours per week.
Q: How do I find out about my insurance options?
A: You may visit the Benefits Section of the HR Office, or visit our webpage at www.selu.edu/hro to view your choices. There is also a comparison of benefits available online at:
https://info.groupbenefits.org/benefit-comparison/
Q: How much will I pay for health insurance?
A: The health insurance rates are posted at Southeastern HR Insurance Rates. The rates are subject to change each July 1st
Q: When will my coverage be effective, if I enroll as a new employee?
A: Usually your coverage will be effective within 30 to 45 days. New employees must
enroll in a group benefit plan within the first 30 days of employment. If this deadline
is missed the employee may still enroll as a late applicant. If the employee enrolls
on the first day of the month, then their coverage is effective on the first day of
the next month. If they enroll on any other day (2nd 31st), then their coverage is
effective on the first day of the next month. Example: If an employee enrolls on August
1, their coverage will be effective on September 1. If the employee enrolls on August
5th, their coverage will be effective on October 1.
Q: Are my dependents eligible for coverage under my health insurance?
A: The following people can be enrolled for coverage as dependents, if they are not
also enrolled for coverage as an employee: the covered employee's legal spouse, any
children from date of birth up to age 21, never married, dependent upon employee for
support, any children from ages 21 to 24, never married, who are enrolled and attending
classes as full-time students, dependent upon employee for support.
Q: Can I cover my grandchildren?
A: If the parent of the child is an eligible dependent under the policy, the grandchild
may be covered as well. When the parent of the child is no longer eligible (not a
full-time student, reaches age 24 or has married) the grandchild is no longer eligible.
If the parent of the child is not an eligible dependent but the grandparents have
legal custody, the grandchild may be eligible. The OGB will require a copy of the
court decree or provisional custody mandate that indicates the member has legal custody.
If the member seeking to cover a grandchild is a paternal grandparent, the OGB will
require that the biological father execute an acknowledgement of paternity.
Q: When is the annual enrollment period?
A: Each year, during the month of April, employees/retirees may elect to change health
insurance carriers. These changes are effective on July 1st of the same year.
Q: How long can a dependent child be covered under my health insurance?
A: Dependents may be covered as follows:
Never married children from date of birth to age 21 who are dependent upon the employee
for support. Never married children from the age of 21 through 24 who are enrolled
and attending classes as full-time students and are dependent upon the employee for
support are eligible dependents. A full-time student is enrolled at an accredited
college or university, or at a vocational, technical, or vocational-technical or trade
school or institute, or secondary school for the number of hours of courses, which
is considered to be full-time attendance by the institution, the student is attending.
Proof of full-time student status is a letter from the institution or school containing
the following information:
- Date dependent enrolled at institution or school
- Number of hours or courses dependent is enrolled in
- Number of hours or courses considered to be full-time attendance by the institution or school the dependent is attending.
Q: How do I add or delete a dependent from my coverage?
A: You must visit the Human Resources Office and have one of the Benefits Counselors
assist you with additions/deletions from your coverage.
Q: If I terminate employment with the University, am I eligible to retain my health
insurance?
A: Yes, under the COBRA law, you are eligible to retain your current coverage for
up to 18 months after separation from employment, unless you are terminated for gross
misconduct. COBRA premiums are higher than active premiums since the employee pays
the employee portion, the employer portion and an administrative processing cost.
Q: If I go out of my HMO network, am I still covered?
A: No. Most HMO’s will only cover services administered by their contracted providers.Humana
and FARA will only cover life or limb threatening emergencies if you use an out of
network provider. Consult your provider handbook for more information.
Q: I lost my ID card. How do I get a replacement?
A: Contact the insurance carrier or Human Resources if you need an additional or
replacement card.
Q: Does SLU offer a dental plan?
A: Yes, insurance eligible employees may enroll in one of the following dental plans:
AFLAC, Crescent Dental, Select Dental, DINA Dental.
Q:What supplemental retirement plans are available to me?
A: Southeastern offers several different supplemental retirement plans commonly known
as tax sheltered annuities, or TSA’s. These plans are designed to allow employees
to save additional monies to supplement their primary retirement plan. Southeastern
offers 7 different 403b accounts, and a 457 (Deferred Compensation) account. A list
of these voluntary plans may be found at www.selu.edu/hro
Q: How do I contact a representative for more information on TSA’s?
A: A list of representatives is available in the Benefits Section of the Human Resources
office, or you may access information from their website. Southeastern HR Supplemental Retirement
Q: What is the annual limit a person can tax shelter into a 403b?
A: The standard annual limit for 2007 is $15,500.00. There are also special catch
up provisions for employees who are age 50 or over or who are within three years of
retirement. (See TSA representative for calculation of limits)
Q: What determines what retirement plan I can join?
A: The type of employment appointment determines your retirement choices. For instance,
full-time classified (Civil Service) employees hired on regular appointments are eligible
for Louisiana State Employees’ Retirement System (LASERS) membership. Full-time unclassified
staff and faculty are eligible for Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana (TRSL),
or oneof three Optional Retirement Plans (ORP). The state has contracted with: TIAA-CREF,
VALIC, and ING as the optional retirement carriers. ORP members are allowed to change
carriers once per year, during the month of November and Decemberto be effective the
following January 1st. Generally part-time and temporary employees contribute to Social
Security. Additional information on each retirement option may be obtained from the
Benefits Office, or on the HRO website at www.selu.edu/hro
A complete list of Benefits Providers may be found at Southeastern HR Provider Directory
