Group Health Benefits Program

Policy Number:         806

Date Effective:          10/01/1981                                          

Date Revised:           12/01/2021

References:              Plan Document; MUS 804.1; 2-18-701 through 2-18-704, M.C.A.;

                               HRS Policies

Benefits Package

The Montana University System offers a comprehensive employee group benefits plan, called “Choices”. The plan consists of group medical, dental, life insurance with accidental and dismemberment benefits, long-term disability, and vision hardware and prescription drug program.  The medical, dental and prescription drug benefits are self-insured.  Premiums are contributed directly into a fund, which pays eligible benefits for plan participants who experience illness or injury. 

Additional voluntary benefits are available to plan-eligible employees.  These policies include supplemental term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental dependent term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, and health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts.  The Montana University System provides for a wellness program and an employee assistance program.

A Montana University System advisory group, the Inter-Unit Benefit Committee, meets periodically and advises the Commissioner of Higher Education regarding management of the plan.

Eligibility

1. The University of Montana Employee Eligibility 
  • Full-time permanent employees, permanent part-time employees (those regularly scheduled to work twenty (20) hours or more per week and seasonal employees scheduled to work more than six (6) months in any twelve (12) month period) and temporary employees scheduled to work twenty (20) hours or more per week for six (6) months or more are eligible for coverage under the Montana University System group benefits plan.  All eligible employees are required to make their benefits elections online within 30 days of hire or date of eligibility even if coverage is waived.

2. Dependant Coverage

  • UM employees may elect dependent coverage under the benefits plan. Eligible dependents are defined in the summary plan document are available at www.choices.mus.edu

3. Contributions

  • Employer/Employee Contributions
  • The employer contribution rate is established by the State of Montana legislature.   Employee benefit premium rates are determined prior to each new plan year by the Commissioner of Higher Education.  Employees electing benefit coverage levels greater than the employer contribution are subject to the applicable premium rate as a payroll deduction.  All employee premiums are deducted through the payroll process before federal, state, Medicare and Social Security taxes, as allowed by section 125 IRC and adopted by the Montana University System, July 01, 1990.  Employees may not receive the state contribution as wages in lieu of the employer contribution.

4. Coverage

  • Default Coverage
    • Eligible employees have 31 days from date of hire or date of eligibility in which to elect their benefit coverage.  Employees will forfeit their right to elect coverage after 31 days and will be defaulted into “Employee Only” coverage.  Employees forfeiting their right to elected coverage will not be eligible to enroll dependents or change default coverage unless there is a qualifying event under section 125 IRC, or as defined during the next annual enrollment period.
  • Coverage in an Extended Leave of Absence or Extended Sick Leave
    • Employees granted extended leave without pay under an appropriate personnel policy or collective bargaining agreement may continue benefits for two years provided employee and employer contributions are paid by the employee. 
  •  Retiree Eligibility
    • A person retiring from the University of Montana may continue post-retirement coverage in the medical with prescription drug program, dental and vision coverage, provided the retiree makes arrangements to maintain continuous coverage by self-payment of the premiums. A retiree must be eligible to receive a state retirement benefit from the Teachers Retirement System or the Public Employees Retirement System.  Retirees who receive retirement benefits under the MUS RP currently with TIAA must have worked five or more years with the Montana University System to be eligible to remain with the plan. 
  • Separation from Employment
    • Employees who end employment with the Montana University System will automatically receive a notice outlining continuation of coverage rights for themselves and their dependents under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, Public Law 99-272, Title 10, April 1986).  No Life Insurance, AD&D, Long Term Disability or flexible spending accounts may be continued under COBRA.  Medical, dental and vision hardware coverage will cease effective the last day of the month in which employment ends.  Life insurance and long-term disability coverages ends on the last day of employment.
  • Specific Plan Description
    • The summary plan eligibility, rate information and coverage detail can be found at www.choices.mus.edu.