Healthcare 101
Healthcare was one of the first, and prominent demands that unionizing graduate workers at UB pushed for--and eventually won in their first contract in 1993. We know that healthcare, even under the best of circumstances, can be frustrating, obtuse, and all around a pain to navigate: so we're hoping to make that a little easier!
In July 2021, GSEU elected leadership met with UB Human Resources in an attempt to streamline and clarify the processes necessary to enroll in and subsequently use health insurance. Below is what we secured:
In July 2021, GSEU elected leadership met with UB Human Resources in an attempt to streamline and clarify the processes necessary to enroll in and subsequently use health insurance. Below is what we secured:
- Re-enrollment information or notices regarding health insurance will be sent out to returning TAs and GAs prior to the beginning of the new academic year.
- Information about health insurance enrollment for TAs and GAs will be emailed at least twice during September
- Information about health insurance summer enrollment for all TAs and GAs be emailed at least twice during April and May.
- HR & GSEU will hold at least one one healthcare benefits orientation in September and one healthcare benefits orientation in February.
Important Notes
Worker Insurance versus Student Insurance
You may be presented with two different types of insurance to enroll in as a graduate workers--make sure you enroll in NYSHIP (or our contractually won, worker insurance). For an individual enrolling just themselves, NYSHIP will cost about $17 per pay period, with the additional cost of dental ($8) and vision ($2) deducted as well: or $29 per paycheck. The student health insurance will cost several thousand dollars (upwards of $3,000+) so make sure that you sign up with the correct insurance vendor!
Enrollment Process
You will receive several reminder emails from GSEU regarding your health insurance, and will receive enrollment paperwork from HR by the end of September--the sooner your department submits personnel information to HR, the sooner you can sign up for your benefits! You have until the end of the first week of October to enroll in health insurance for the upcoming year. If you are on a 10-month contract, you will have the opportunity to pre-pay your insurance costs in your final paycheck (typically the first or second week in June), and will therefore have health insurance for the summer--even when you are off contract.
Paid Leave & Sick Days
Graduate workers are entitled to five (5) paid sick days per calendar year and five (5) weeks of unpaid leave. If you have questions or concerns about taking leave (especially sick leave or family leave), please reach out to GSEU and we're happy to help you navigate the process!
COBRA
COBRA-coverage is the extension of your current healthcare benefits to you, at a marginally higher price per month. You are eligible to apply for COBRA when your term of employment at UB has ended, typically after you've completed all of your guaranteed years of funding. COBRA is not for summer un-employment--DO NOT SIGN UP FOR COBRA OVER THE SUMMER IF YOU HAVE A TA OR GA LINE IN THE FALL! It will be an additional, unnecessary financial burden, so check with GSEU first, to see if we can assist you in remaining on worker insurance, before signing up. For further information on COBRA, check out the U. S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration's FAQ,
You may be presented with two different types of insurance to enroll in as a graduate workers--make sure you enroll in NYSHIP (or our contractually won, worker insurance). For an individual enrolling just themselves, NYSHIP will cost about $17 per pay period, with the additional cost of dental ($8) and vision ($2) deducted as well: or $29 per paycheck. The student health insurance will cost several thousand dollars (upwards of $3,000+) so make sure that you sign up with the correct insurance vendor!
Enrollment Process
You will receive several reminder emails from GSEU regarding your health insurance, and will receive enrollment paperwork from HR by the end of September--the sooner your department submits personnel information to HR, the sooner you can sign up for your benefits! You have until the end of the first week of October to enroll in health insurance for the upcoming year. If you are on a 10-month contract, you will have the opportunity to pre-pay your insurance costs in your final paycheck (typically the first or second week in June), and will therefore have health insurance for the summer--even when you are off contract.
Paid Leave & Sick Days
Graduate workers are entitled to five (5) paid sick days per calendar year and five (5) weeks of unpaid leave. If you have questions or concerns about taking leave (especially sick leave or family leave), please reach out to GSEU and we're happy to help you navigate the process!
COBRA
COBRA-coverage is the extension of your current healthcare benefits to you, at a marginally higher price per month. You are eligible to apply for COBRA when your term of employment at UB has ended, typically after you've completed all of your guaranteed years of funding. COBRA is not for summer un-employment--DO NOT SIGN UP FOR COBRA OVER THE SUMMER IF YOU HAVE A TA OR GA LINE IN THE FALL! It will be an additional, unnecessary financial burden, so check with GSEU first, to see if we can assist you in remaining on worker insurance, before signing up. For further information on COBRA, check out the U. S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration's FAQ,
FAQ
I'm so confused! Who can I contact?
You can begin by looking over the GSEU Benefits page on UB's website. If you can't find your answer there, feel free to reach out to Michelle Williams (GSEU President) at m98williams@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. You can also directly email UB HR, however they may be delayed in responding given the sheer volume of state employees they work with.
Can I just sign up for health insurance without dental or vision? Or just sign up for dental without health or vision?
Unfortunately not at this time. The health benefits that our contract awards us are as affordable as they are because they're bundled together, and therefore can't be separated.
So just to clarify, I will have my health insurance over the summer?
Most likely, yes! If you are on a 12-month TA or GA line, your health insurance costs will simply continue to be deducted out of each subsequent paycheck for the calendar year. If you are a 10-month TA or GA, you will have the opportunity to pre-pay your insurance costs in your final paycheck (typically the first or second week in June), and will therefore have health insurance for the summer--even when you are off contract!
I have questions about specific procedures that are covered.
You can create an online account with NYSHIP, where some of your procedure-specific questions may be answered. If not, call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card, or check the health insurance booklet that was sent to your home address a few weeks after you initially enrolled.
Do we have paid paternity or maternity leave?
Unfortunately at the moment we do not; your contract guarantees you five (5) paid sick days per calendar year and five (5) weeks of unpaid leave. There is however precedent within individual departments, for PIs, DGSs, and Department Chairs, to work out a specific agreement between the department and the individual aiming to go on maternity leave; union representation is key in these situations, and we strongly encourage you to reach out to the GSEU if would like assistance!
You can begin by looking over the GSEU Benefits page on UB's website. If you can't find your answer there, feel free to reach out to Michelle Williams (GSEU President) at m98williams@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. You can also directly email UB HR, however they may be delayed in responding given the sheer volume of state employees they work with.
Can I just sign up for health insurance without dental or vision? Or just sign up for dental without health or vision?
Unfortunately not at this time. The health benefits that our contract awards us are as affordable as they are because they're bundled together, and therefore can't be separated.
So just to clarify, I will have my health insurance over the summer?
Most likely, yes! If you are on a 12-month TA or GA line, your health insurance costs will simply continue to be deducted out of each subsequent paycheck for the calendar year. If you are a 10-month TA or GA, you will have the opportunity to pre-pay your insurance costs in your final paycheck (typically the first or second week in June), and will therefore have health insurance for the summer--even when you are off contract!
I have questions about specific procedures that are covered.
You can create an online account with NYSHIP, where some of your procedure-specific questions may be answered. If not, call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card, or check the health insurance booklet that was sent to your home address a few weeks after you initially enrolled.
Do we have paid paternity or maternity leave?
Unfortunately at the moment we do not; your contract guarantees you five (5) paid sick days per calendar year and five (5) weeks of unpaid leave. There is however precedent within individual departments, for PIs, DGSs, and Department Chairs, to work out a specific agreement between the department and the individual aiming to go on maternity leave; union representation is key in these situations, and we strongly encourage you to reach out to the GSEU if would like assistance!