Frequently Asked Questions - Benefits

 

Vision Care

Flexible Spending Accounts

Personal & Payroll Related Information

Miscellaneous

Vision Care

If I have vision coverage through my health plan and through United Healthcare Vision, how do the benefits coordinate?
You should submit your vision care expenses first to your health plan. Then submit your Explanation of Benefits from your health plan to United Healthcare Vision. United Healthcare Vision pays secondary to your health plan and will pay its benefits based on what you've already received from your health plan.

Where can I get a list of United Healthcare Vision network providers?
Contact United Healthcare Vision at (800) 638-3120 or search for providers on the United Healthcare Vision web site, https://ww2.myuhcvision.com/members/index.jsp

I wear trifocal lenses. Are these covered by United Healthcare Vision for the $25 copayment, or do I have to pay extra?
Single vision, bifocal, trifocal and lenticular lenses are all covered for a $25 copayment when you use a network provider. The copayment also covers scratch coating, polycarbonate lenses, basic progressive lenses, tints and UV coating. You pay extra only when you buy other elective features. The plan pays limited benefits if you use a non-network provider.

Under United Healthcare Vision, will I have to pay a $25 copayment for contact lenses?
Yes, the plan will pay 100% of the cost for most contact lenses at a network provider after you pay a $25 copayment. For toric, gas permeable and bifocal contacts, the plan will pay up to $150 at a network provider after you pay the copayment. The plan will pay up to $210 after the copayment for medically necessary contacts. If you go to a non-network provider the plan will pay up to $150 for elective contacts and up to $210 for medically necessary contacts. Any contact lens benefit replaces the eyeglass frames and lenses benefit.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Am I better off using the child care tax credit on my income tax return or the Dependent Day Care Spending Account?
That depends on your personal situation. The chart at the bottom of this link will show you the approximate savings under each for certain situations and family income levels. You may also want to consult a tax advisor.

If I have braces put on and pay the full cost up front, can I be reimbursed the full amount from my account?
Orthodontia services are the only type of services that can be considered "incurred" when you make a prepayment. You must be reimbursed in the plan year in which the payment was made with the understanding that the services will begin at that time.

Are there limitations on the kind of expenses I can claim through my Flexible Spending Account?
Yes. IRS publications 502 and 503 list most of the services that can be claimed. One exception is over-the-counter drugs and medical supplies. Certain over-the-counter drugs and medical supplies can be claimed through your Health Care Spending Account but not on your income tax return.

Once I sign up for Spending Accounts, do I have to keep contributing the same amount each year?
No. In fact, you must re-enroll each year even if you want to contribute the same amount as in past years. Each year during Annual Enrollment, you decide whether to participate and how much, if any, to put into each account. If you want to participate one year and drop out the next, you can do it. However, you cannot change your decision in the middle of a plan year unless you have a Change in Status.

Why do I have to re-enroll in the Spending Accounts each year even if I want my contribution amount to stay the same?
Because contributions can’t be changed during the plan year unless you have a Change in Status, it’s important that you make the right decision up front so you won’t forfeit unused contributions. Since your needs may change from year to year, you need to carefully consider how much you will need to contribute each year.

I’m going to enroll in the Spending Accounts for the first time this year. If I have an expense the first week in September, can I get reimbursed immediately?
You can submit any expense that you incur on or after September 1. However, your claim will not be processed until you receive your first paycheck and your first contribution goes into your account. For biweekly paid employees, this will be sometime in September. For monthly paid employees, claims will not be processed until after the October 1 paycheck. All of the money you will contribute during the plan year is available from the beginning of the year for the Health Care Spending Account. You can be reimbursed from the Dependent Day Care Spending Account only for an amount you have already contributed to the account.

Personal or Payroll Related Information

What types of information can be found on HRConnect, and how can I access my information?
HRConnect is a comprehensive, online database with your personal, payroll and benefits information, as well as training courses, retirement calculators and links to your benefits documents. You access HRConnect through Single Sign On. If you have never used Single Sign On, follow the instructions provided on the login page at https://sso.tamus.edu.

I need to change my address and other personal data. What do I do?
You can update or correct your residence and/or mailing address and phone number in HRConnect, or you may contact your Human Resources office for the appropriate form. To change or correct your personal data, such as employment address/phone number, e-mail address, gender, marital status, education level, EEO minority code, disabled/handicapped indicator, veteran status and privacy flag, you may submit your changes through HRConnect or complete an Employee Personal Data Form.

I need to change my direct deposit information. What do I do?
You can change your direct deposit information in HRConnect . For more information access Payroll .

I would like to change the amount of income tax withholding from my paycheck. Where can I obtain a W-4 form?  You can change your withholding through HRConnect.  For more information access Payroll .

Miscellaneous

What is the iBenefits system?
The iBenefits system, allows you to make benefit changes online at a secured web site. You can access it at sso.tamus.edu. Through this web site, you can find out what benefits you are currently enrolled in and make changes to your benefits.

In some cases, you will also need to submit paperwork, such as the Life Insurance Enrollment Form, to your Human Resources office. Forms are available on the System Benefits Administration web site at tamus.edu/benefits/forms.htm#benefits..

Can I make any type of change to my benefits using the iBenefits system?
You can make most changes using iBenefits, but a few changes will still require you to send your Human Resources office additional signed paper forms. Some choices on this system will require additional action before August 31:

• Enrolling yourself or dependents in life insurance .
• Enrolling yourself and your spouse in Long-Term Care .
• Enrolling grandchildren, prospective adopted children, foster children or children for whom you are the legal guardian or managing conservator.

As you enroll in these options, the system will guide you to the correct form(s) to complete.

What if I don’t think iBenefits is giving me the correct information on my current benefits?
E-mail or call your Human Resources office and explain the error. That office can help resolve the problem.

What online services/information is available?
The HRConnect online information system is located at sso.tamus.edu. You will need to enter your Universal Identification Number (UIN) and a password. If you do not already have a password or do not remember your password, follow the instructions on the login page. HRConnect provides personal,employment, benefits and payroll information on you.  The utilities function can help you calculate your TRS and/or Social Security benefits, how your net pay will change if you contribute to (or increase your contribution to) a Tax-Deferred Account and how much you need to be saving to meet your retirement goals.

More information is also available online. Check the System Benefits website at tamus.edu/benefits for information on benefits and retirement or the System Human resources website tamus.edu/offices/hr/ for information on holidays and employment opportunities.

How can I be sure the HRConnect System is secure and no one else can see my records?
HRConnect provides personal and confidential information. By asking you to provide both a Universal Identification Number (UIN) and a password, the site provides two levels of security. However, you must be careful not to share your UIN or password with anyone, because anyone who has both of these numbers can access your information. If you believe someone has learned your password, update your password from the Single Sign On logon page.

I will be getting married/divorced soon. What do I need to do to change my name on my records and/or add/drop dependent(s) on my benefits?
You will need to apply for and obtain a new Social Security card reflecting your new name and provide a copy of the card to your Payroll and Human Resources Office along with a completed Change of Name Form. Please access and print this form at the following link: http://www.pvamu.edu/pages/1945.asp

If you want to add or drop dependent(s), complete a Dependent Enrollment Form/Certification. You may also want to update your beneficiary(ies) for Basic/Alternate Basic Life, Optional Life and/or Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)). If you participate in the Teacher Retirement System and you need to change your beneficiary designation, complete the TRS 11 form or contact TRS at (800) 223-8778 to request this form. If you participate in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP), Tax Deferred Annuity Program, or Deferred Compensation Plan, notify your vendor(s) of your new last name.

What are the employer contribution amounts for the 2009-2010 plan year?
Maximum contributions for health coverage (including Basic Life coverage) for full-time employees and all retirees for 2009-10:

• Employee only: $381.85
• Employee plus spouse: $563.84
• Employee plus children: $495.60
• Employee plus family: $654.84
• Contribution if you waive coverage and certify that you have other health coverage: $192.91

Contributions for health coverage for part-time employees for 2009-10:

• Employee only: $188.94
• Employee plus spouse: $279.94
• Employee plus children: $245.82
• Employee plus family: $325.44
• Contribution if you waive coverage and certify that you have other health coverage: $96.45

 

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Employee only: $381.85

Employee plus spouse: $563.84