Georgia State University, Human Resources, Benefits Program

Benefits

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Healthcare Coverage

The University currently offers four options for medical coverage:

Please refer to New Employee Benefit Booklet for more plan information:

New employees who are benefits-eligible have 31 days from their date of hire to select a medical plan for themselves and their eligible dependents. Eligible dependents include your spouse and your dependent children up to age 19 (or to age 26 with proof that the dependent is disabled or a full-time student). If your spouse or dependents have a different last name than your own, you will be required to present a marriage license, birth certificate, or other document establishing a dependent relationship as a condition of their coverage.

On an annual basis, the University offers an open enrollment period, during which employees may change their healthcare plan elections and levels of coverage.

The University pays approximately 75% of the cost of your healthcare coverage. You pay the remaining portion of the premium through payroll deduction; premiums for medical insurance are withheld from your pay on a pretax basis, resulting in less cost to you.

Healthcare FAQ's:

Q: What is the effective date of my medical coverage?
A: You have two options to select from when you enroll in medical coverage. Your coverage can begin on the first date of employment, or on the first of the month following your date of employment.

Q: Who does GSU consider as an eligible dependent?
A: An eligible dependent is a legal spouse, domestic partner and/or a dependent child up to the age of 19 (between the ages of 19-26, the dependent must be a full-time student). Domestic partners may be covered on MetLife Dental, Spectera Vision and Cigna Voluntary Term Life Insurance only.

Q: Do I have another opportunity to enroll in benefits if I do not complete my benefits election within the first 31 days of employment?
A: You can enroll in some benefits during the next annual benefits open enrollment period. Some benefits are only offered one time (when you are first hired) and you may not add those benefits later if you didn't select them to begin with. Other benefits may require evidence of insurability if you want to add them later.

Q: Can I make changes to my benefits at anytime during the year?
A: No, since most benefits are deducted on a pre-tax basis (medical, dental, and vision), you can only make changes during the annual open enrollment period. However, changes may be made if you have a qualifying change in status.

Q: What constitutes a change in status?
A: A change in status allows you to make midyear changes to your benefits. A change in status affects your benefits eligibility for coverage or the eligibility of your dependents. Some examples of changes in status include legal marital status changes, change in the number of dependents, change in employment status, change in residence, change in dependents eligibility. Click here for more information.

Q: When will I receive my insurance card?
A: Employees typically receive their insurance cards six to eight weeks after they submit enrollment forms.

Q: Can I go to the doctor/ dentist immediately or is there a waiting period?
A: You may access benefits on your effective date of coverage. However, although you may be covered, you will need to allow for a reasonable time to process your application. If it is necessary to access services prior to receiving your insurance card, you may need to pay for the service out-of-pocket and then submit a claim form for reimbursement.