Campus Human Resources

It is very important to understand your entitlements to UC benefits in layoff situations and carefully follow instructions to ensure that you  are well informed.  The entitlements are described by UC Policy for non-represented staff and the Collective Bargaining Agreements for represented employees. If you have questions about your benefits:

1. Contact your departmental HR representative
2. If you are a represented employee and have questions about your entitlements under the collective bargaining agreement, contact
   • Campus Human Resources Labor Relations if you work in a campus departmen
   • Health Labor Relations if you work in the School of Medicine, the hospitals and clinics or at Semel, or NPI

Contact the UCPath Center as noted below if you have other questions about your benefits.

University of California COBRA Beneficiaries

The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) provides for continued coverage for a certain period of time at applicable monthly COBRA rates if you, your spouse or domestic partner, or your dependents lose group medical, dental, vision, Health FSA, or your local Employee Assistance Program coverage because you:

• Terminate employment (for reasons other than gross misconduct);
• Reduce your work hours below the eligible status for these benefits or transfer to a position which is ineligible for these benefits;
• Die, divorce, or are legally separated;
• Have a child or other covered family member who ceases to be an eligible family member under UC’s rules.

COBRA continuation coverage is identical to the UC-sponsored coverage you and/or your dependents had immediately prior to qualifying for COBRA coverage except you pay the full cost; there is no UC contribution.

You may continue coverage under COBRA for up to 18 months if you terminate employment or you lose eligibility for UC-sponsored health plans (due to transfer to an ineligible position or if your average hours worked fall below 17.5 hours per week). Your family members generally may continue coverage for up to 36 months if they lose coverage because: a) the family member loses eligibility (e.g., turns age 26) or b) you divorce, legally separate, get an annulment, end a domestic partnership, or die.

WageWorks handles COBRA administrative services for UC. If you lose coverage because of a qualifying event, WageWorks will send a COBRA election packet and handle your enrollment and monthly billing.

WageWorks Contact Information

The WageWorks Participant Services department is available Monday through Friday, 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM (PT). You may call toll free 1 (877) 422-2767. Or, register and log in to your account at mybenefits.wageworks.com 24 hours a day.

The link to the COBRA Tip Sheet and Rates is provided below.

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/forms/pdf/cobra-rates-tip-sheet.pdf

In addition, the University of California, Office of the President provides a detailed online resource to help with the following topics related to UC Benefits.

WEBSITE: Being laid off

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/roadmaps/layoff.html#:~:text=If%20you're%20being%20laid%20off%20indefinitely%2C%20the%20university%20will,contact%20your%20Human%20Resources%20Office

What To Do If You’re Being Laid Off from UC Employment

Make sure you understand your rights and UC policies on layoffs. Learn about your options for choosing preferential rehire instead of severance. Make sure you understand your options for continuing your benefits. Decide what to do with your pension and retirement savings.

Understand your options for a UCRP service credit purchase, and see your benefits representative right away. Keep UC informed of your address if you move. Make sure your beneficiaries are up to date. If you’re rehired to work at UC, contact your benefits representative as soon as you return.

 

WEBSITE: Leaving UC employment

https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/roadm

Leaving UC Employment

Continue your medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, if you need it. Convert your accidental death and dismemberment (ADD) and legal insurance to individual plans, if you want continued coverage. Remember to spend the money in your flexible spending accounts (FSA). Make a choice about continuing your life insurance. Remember your disability insurance will end. Understand your options for a UCRP service credit purchase, and see your benefits representative right away.

Keep UC informed of your address if you move. Make sure your beneficiaries are up to date. If you’re rehired to work at UC, contact your benefits representative as soon as you return. Make alternate arrangements for child- or elder-care resources. Decide what to do with the money in your retirement savings programs. Arrange to pay back your 403(b) loan, if you have one. Make a decision about your primary retirement benefits. Make sure your beneficiaries are up to date. Keep your UC connections.