Employee Benefits
Insurance
The University provides a very good insurance package for university employees. Some insurance plans are offered to all state employees and are managed by the Wisconsin Group Insurance Board and the Department of Employee Trust Funds. Others are offered only to university employees and are managed by the UW System Administration Office of Staff Benefits.
Most plans provide coverage for your family members. See an overview of dependent coverage for details.
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Health Insurance
You have a choice of several different managed care and fee-for service plans. You can also set aside money pre-tax to pay uninsured medical bills through an Employee Reimbursement Account (flex spending program).
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Life Insurance
You have a choice of four different plans. Unclassified staff have mandatory coverage in a fifth plan. Several of the plans include extra benefits for accidental death or dismemberment. In addition, you can elect an accidental death and dismemberment insurance plan.
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Income Continuation Insurance
Provides you with income while you are temporarily or permanently unable to work. One plan is available. Long-term disability benefits are also included in WRS benefits and under social security.
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Dental Insurance
Partial coverage of your dental expenses is available through several different plans.
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Vision Insurance
Partial coverage of your expenses for eyeglasses, contact lenses and exams is available through the VSP Vision Plan or as part of the EPIC Benefits+ plan.
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Long-Term Care Insurance
You can insure yourself, your spouse, or your parent(s) and pay premiums by payroll deduction. Several different providers are available.
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Employee Reimbursement Account
Set aside pre-tax income to pay eligible medical and dependent care expenses.
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Unemployment Insurance
If your position ends or if you are involuntarily terminated, you may be eligible for unemployment insurance (UI).
The University contributes to the premiums for the State of Wisconsin health, life and income continuation plans, thereby increasing the value of your total compensation. Other university-sponsored plans offer favorable group rates and convenient payroll deduction to employees. Some health and life insurance premiums are taken from your salary on a pre-tax basis, saving you money.
Many of the plans require Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) coverage or eligibility for the State Group Health Plan as a prerequisite for enrollment.
Plans usually have a specific window of opportunity during which you can enroll without proving acceptable good health. Your open enrollment deadline depends on your employee group and your prior WRS coverage history. Before signing up, read about the insurance plans described here to determine which ones fit your present and future needs.
This document was last revised on August 14, 2012
