Benefits Summary

The following information applies to regular full-time and regular part-time employees. To be eligible for insurance programs, the employee must be employed in a regular appointment for a minimum of 30 hours per week (80%). Regular part-time employees receive benefits on a prorated basis. Temporary hourly employees and adjunct faculty are not eligible for benefits.

You may gain additional information concerning the benefits listed by clicking on the links provided.

ACCIDENT INSURANCE - Optional Special
To be eligible, the employee must be eligible to participate in the state group insurance program. Spouse and dependent coverage is available. Employee-paid premiums through payroll deduction.

ANNUAL LEAVE - Support Staff
Eligible to earn after more than 50% of month worked.
00 - 05 years service - 7.5 hours per month
05 - 10 years service - 11.3 hours per month
10 - 20 years service - 13.2 hours per month
20+      years service - 15.0 hours per month

ANNUAL LEAVE - Administrative/Professional
Eligible to earn after more than 50% of month worked. 15 hours earned per month. A maximum of 315 hours will be carried from June 30 to July 1. Balance over 315 hours transfers to sick leave each July 1.

BANKING SERVICES
Eligible upon employment. As a convenience to employees, membership and payroll deductions are available through the UT Federal Credit Union, the Knoxville Teachers Federal Credit Union, and AmSouth Bank.

BOOKSTORE DISCOUNT

Employees are given a ten percent discount on all purchases over $1.00, excluding textbooks, sale merchandise, and academically discounted software.

CANCER and INTENSIVE CARE INSURANCE
Eligible upon employment. Employee-paid premium through payroll deduction.  Contact Human Resources for more information. Coverage is provided by AFLAC.

DENTAL INSURANCE
Eligible to enroll during first full calendar month of employment. Employees may choose from one of two plans: (1) Prepaid Plan and (2) Preferred Dental Organization (PDO) Plan.  Each plan offers preventive, diagnostic, basic and major benefits. Employee-paid premiums through payroll deduction.
For customer service, contact:
Assurant Employee Benefits: 1-800-443-2995 (Prepaid Plan)
Delta Dental: 1-800-223-3104(PDO)

EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Eligible upon employment. Fee waiver for employees and 50% tuition discount on undergraduate classes for spouse and/or dependent children.

Puzzled about financing your child's higher education? See Baccalaureate Education System Trust.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Eligible upon employment. Up to six free counseling sessions are available to employees and their immediate family members. The number of sessions necessary to develop this action plan is decided in each case by professionally trained counselors.  Call Magellan Behavioral Health at 1-800-308-4934 for assistance.

FITNESS CENTER DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Discounts on membership and/or initiation fees are offered by participating centers.

FLEXIBLE BENEFITS
Eligible first day of the calendar month following completion of one month of active service. Plan year extends from January 1 through December 31. May enroll during the annual enrollment period October 15 through November 15 (to be effective January 1)
1. Medical/dental premiums paid through pretax dollars.
2. Medical reimbursement and dependent care through pretax dollars.

GROUP MEDICAL INSURANCE
Eligible first day of the month following completion of one full calendar month of service. Three-part package includes life, health, and special accident. Pellissippi State pays 80% of the premium for the medical plan; employee pays 20%. Three options are available: Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Point of Service (POS), and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO).
For customer service, contact:
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee: 1-800-558-6213 (PPO)
CIGNA HealthCare: 1-800-244-6224 (POS)
UnitedHealthCare: 1-877-366-0011 (HMO)

HOLIDAYS
Eligible upon employment. New Year=s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and five (5) other days as determined by the institution.

LIFE INSURANCE - Optional Universal (underwritten by UnumProvident)
Eligible to enroll during first full calendar month of employment to be effective two months after medical insurance becomes effective. The universal plan offers a death benefit as well as a savings feature. The premiums are higher than a term life insurance plan because it includes cash accumulation, a loan provision and paid-up features. Spouse coverage is available. A term rider policy is available for dependent children. Employee-paid premiums through payroll deduction.
For Customer Service, call UnumProvdient at 1-866-298-7636.

LIFE INSURANCE - Optional Term (underwritten by UnumProvident)
Eligible to enroll during first full calendar month of employment to be effective two months after medical insurance becomes effective. The term life insurance plan offers a pure and simple death benefit. The premium is small in comparison to other types of insurance, because there is no cash accumulation or paid-up feature. The premiums automatically increase as the participant=s age increases. Spouse and dependent children coverage is available. Employee-paid premiums through payroll deductions.
For Customer Service, call UnumProvdient at 1-866-298-7636.

LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE

Eligible to apply within 90 days of employment. Plan provides coverage for long-term services (assisted living, home health care, etc.) for the employee and/or eligible family members. Coverage is provided by MedAmerica Insurance Company.

LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE
Eligible to apply within 30 days of employment. Employee paid premiums through payroll deduction.

RETIREMENT - Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS)
Eligible upon employment. TCRS is a defined benefit plan, and benefits are based on salary and years of service. Pellissippi State contributes to the TCRS fund for employees. All regular full-time and regular part-time employees are eligible. Faculty and administrative employees may choose TCRS or one of the Optional Retirement Plans.

RETIREMENT - Optional Retirement Plans (ORP)
Eligible upon employment. All regular full-time and regular part-time faculty and administrative employees may choose TCRS or one of the Optional Retirement Plans. Three options are available:
1. TIAA-CREF
2. ING
3. AIG VALIC

SAVINGS BONDS - UNITED STATES
Eligible upon employment. U.S. Savings Bonds may be purchased through payroll deduction.

SICK LEAVE
Eligible after more than 50% of the month has been worked. 7.5 hours earned per month.

STATE PARKS - TENNESSEE

Discounted rates for camping, cabins and inns are available.

TAX DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Eligible upon employment. Employees may contribute to a tax deferred annuity through payroll deduction. The following options are available:
1. 401(k)
2. 403(b)
3. 457

WORKERS' COMPENSATION
All employees who suffer an injury as a result of college employment are eligible to file a claim for benefits under this plan including payment of medical bills and salary.  Contact Human Resources for more information.

Directory of Providers for Worker's Compensation

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