Benefit information for terminating employees and employees whose work commitment is reduced to less to half time.

HEALTH INSURANCE

 If you are enrolled in the MCG employees’ group health care (Blue Cross/Blue Shield) insurance plan, you and the members of your family who are now covered by your insurance may be eligible for continued coverage (COBRA) in the MCG health insurance plan for up to 18 months, 36 months in the case of ineligible dependents, or in the case of disability, twenty-nine months, after your last month of coverage.  If you wish to continue your MCG health insurance coverage, complete and mail your COBRA application to the HR Benefits Section, room HS-1111, Human Resources Division, Medical College of Georgia 30912.  At the time of termination or work-commitment reduction, an application will automatically mailed to your home.  Your completed application must be received in the Benefits Office no later than 60 days after your MCG employment ends or your work commitment is reduced to less than .50.  Under COBRA, you will be required to pay the full premium without contributions form MCG.  If you are terminated for gross misconduct, you are not eligible for COBRA participation.

 If another employer’s group Blue Cross policy will cover you after leaving MCG, you are urged to insure that there is no lapse in coverage between your last day of coverage by MCG and the first day of coverage by the new employer.  If there is a period of time that you are not insured, benefits for treatment of pre-existing conditions may have a new waiting period.

 

LIFE INSURANCE

 All of your group life insurance will end on the last day of the month during which your employment ends or your work commitment is reduced to less than half time.  If you did not earn enough to cover the life insurance deduction during your last pay period, the supplemental and dependent insurance will end on the last day of the previous month.  You have the right to convert your group life insurance coverage to an individual life insurance policy customarily issued by Hartford Life Insurance Company.  No medical examination or proof of insurability will be required for conversion of your group insurance to individual insurance.  Please direct all portability and conversion inquiries to Seiman & Company, P.O. Box 248108, Cleveland, Ohio 44124-8108 or you may call them toll-free at 1-877-320-0484.

 

PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE

 If you are enrolled in the group accident insurance plan, your coverage will end on the last day of the month following the month for which the last payroll deduction was made.  You have the right to convert your group coverage to an individual policy.  If you convert to an individual policy within 30 days after the end of your group coverage, no medical examination or proof of insurability will be required.  To exercise this right, contact the Benefits staff at 721-3770 to obtain a conversion application.

 

LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE

 If you are enrolled in the long-term disability insurance plan, your coverage will end on the last day of the month which the last payroll deduction was made.  You have the right to convert your group coverage to an individual policy.  If you convert to an individual policy within 31 days after the end of your group coverage, no medical examination or proof of insurability will be required.  To exercise this right, contact the Benefits staff at 721-3770 to obtain a conversion application.

 

RESIDENTS LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE

 If you are a Resident enrolled in the long-term disability plan for Residents through Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, you have the right to convert your group coverage to an individual disability policy.  If you convert to an individual policy within 60 days after leaving the Medical College of Georgia, no medical examination or proof of insurability will be required.  To exercise this option, contact Reid Carter, 3540 Wheeler Rd., Suite 312, Augusta, GA 30909 (telephone: 706-261-4665).

 

DENTAL INSURANCE

 If you are enrolled in the Dental Insurance Plan, you and the members of your family who are now covered by dental insurance may be eligible for continued coverage under COBRA for up to 18 months, or in the case of disability, twenty-nine months after your last date of coverage.  If you want to continue your dental insurance coverage, complete and return your application to the HR Benefits office, room HS-1111, Human Resources Division, Medical College of Georgia 30912.  At the time of termination or work-commitment reduction, an application will automatically mailed to your home.  Your completed application must be received in the Benefits Office no later than 60 days after your MCG employment ends or your work commitment is reduced to less than .50.  Under COBRA, you will be required to pay the full premium without contributions form MCG.  If you are terminated for gross misconduct, you are not eligible for COBRA participation.

 

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE

 If you are enrolled in the Long Term Care Insurance Plan, paying premiums directly to the company may continue your coverage.  To continue coverage you must contact CNA at P O Box 95959, Chicago, IL 60694-5959 within 30 days of termination.  They may also be reached by calling their toll-free telephone number (1-800-528-4582).

 

SUPPLEMENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE

 If you are enrolled in the Supplemental Health Insurance through American Family Life Assurance Corporation (AFLAC), your coverage may be continue by paying premiums directly to the company.  To continue coverage you must contact AFLAC within 31 days of termination.  You may contact Diane M. McCollum at 706/738-7171.

 

RETIREMENT PLANS

 If you are enrolled in the Teacher’s Retirement System, you have the option of: (a) applying for retirement benefits if you are eligible at the time, (b) withdrawing your contributions only if employment has been terminated, or (c) leaving your contributions in the system until a later date.  If you wish to withdraw your contributions, you must submit an Application for Withdrawal of Contributions.  You may complete an application in room HS-1111 of the Human Resources Division at the time you complete the clearance process.  Your refund application will be forwarded to TRS as soon as your last paycheck has been issued or your department submits written confirmation of your termination of employment.  Your refund check will be mailed to you by TRS, usually within 4-6 weeks.  Any inquiry about your refund must be directed to the Refund Section, Teachers Retirement System, Two Northside 75, Suite 400, Atlanta, GA 30318 (telephone: 1-800-352-0650).

 Faculty members enrolled in the Optional Retirement Plan instead of the Teachers Retirement System should contact the agent of the company or companies in which they are enrolled.  The VALIC representative is Tommy Burckhalter (722-4600).  The TIAA-CREF representative is James Kelley (770-399-5200).  The Fidelity representative is Trey Higgins (1-800-392-8677 ext.303).  American Century representative is Libby Burns (1-800-345-3533).