Academic and Administrative Faculty Benefits
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Health Benefits
Health coverage for academic and administrative faculty begins on the first day of the month concurrent with, or following, the effective date of your date of hire. If your position begins after the first day of the month, your coverage will not begin until the first day of the following month.
Family and dependents are eligible to be added to the plan at the same time an employee elects coverage. For additional eligibility guidelines, review the overview section.
Family and Dependent Eligibility Overview
Coverage ends the last day of the month in which your employment ends.
Voluntary Benefits
Benefits-eligible employees can elect to participate in voluntary benefit programs. Enrollment with Public Employee Benefits Program (PEBP) health insurance is not required to enroll in any of these products.
Medicare Plans
Individuals become eligible for Medicare coverage when they turn 65. Enrollment is not required if enrolled in a group medical plan with the Public Employee Benefits Program (PEBP).
Medicare and PEBP Coverage Overview
Additional Resources
Medical Plan Options
There are three medical plan options for you to choose from so you can find coverage that meets your needs.
Prescription Benefits
Prescription benefits differ based on the medical plan you choose. The Statewide CDHP - PPO and Low Deductible PPO plan use Express Scripts and the HMO plan uses OPTUM Rx to manage prescription benefits.
Vision Benefits
Vision benefits, copays, and coverages differ based on the health plan that you choose. Most plans cover all or part of the cost of prescription eyeglasses or contacts on a bi-yearly basis.
Dental Benefits
Dental coverages are the same for all three medical care plans. Coinsurance rates differ based on whether your provider is in-network or out-of-network.
Health Savings Accounts & Health Reimbursement Arrangements
If you select the PPO - Consumer Driven Health Plan, you may choose a health savings account or a health reimbursement account to assist you in overing medical bills.
Health Savings Accounts & Health Reimbursement Arrangement Overview
Employer-Sponsored LTD Benefit
(NSHE Academic and Administrative Faculty employed at 50 % FTE or more is eligible)
The Long-Term Disability (LTD) program for NSHE Academic and Administrative faculty employed at 50 % FTE or more became
effective on January 1, 2024. This employer-paid LTD coverage provides a portion of your monthly income if you have a covered illness or injury and are unable to work for a few months or even longer.
Key Information about the Employer-sponsored LTD Benefit:
- LTD benefit of 60% of salary up to $7,500 per month
- 180-day waiting (elimination) period: This is the number of days that must pass after a covered accident or illness before you can begin to receive benefits.
- Pre-existing condition provision: You received medical treatment, consultation, care, or services including diagnostic measures for the condition, or took prescribed drugs or medicines for it in the three (3) months before your effective date of coverage, and the disability begins in the first 12 months after your effective date of coverage.
- The LTD benefit in this program will be offset by any voluntary disability program or a PERS disability benefit.
- NSHE will automatically enroll eligible participants into this plan. No action is required from academic and administrative faculty.
- The plan is administered by .
NSHE Employer-Paid LTD Claims Process Communication FAQ
Academic and administrative faculty who selected the PEBP voluntary group LTD plan should evaluate their participation. PEBP’s vendor, The Standard Insurance, requires a thirty (30) days' notice to discontinue enrollment or during the Open Enrolment period. Employees who want to cancel their PEBP plan can do so through the PEBP portal by going to The Standard Long-Term Disability Insurance page, clicking the enrollment link, and choosing “Cancel.” Employees may also contact customer service at (775) 249-0716.
Time Off and Leave
Annual Leave
Academic and administrative faculty on a full-time 12-month appointment (“A” contract) earn two days of annual (vacation) leave per month, totaling 24 days per year.
- “A” contract faculty with a full-time equivalent (FTE) less than 100% FTE earn annual leave on a prorated basis Academic faculty on an academic year (“B” contract) appointment do not earn annual leave
- Academic and administrative faculty may request leave in a minimum of half-day (four-hour) increments. Leave must be requested in Workday and approved in advance by the employee's supervisor.
Sick Leave
All full-time academic and administrative faculty employees (both A and B contracts) receive 30 days of sick leave on the first day of employment. After the first year of employment, two days of sick leave per month are accrued. A maximum of 96 days of sick leave can be carried forward from one fiscal year to the next.
“A” and “B” contract faculty with a full-time equivalent (FTE) less than 100% FTE earn sick leave on a prorated basis.
Sick leave is paid time off and may be used for:
- Personal illness
- Care of family members with illness, injury, medical, optometry, or dental appointments (up to 15 days of sick leave per year)
- Death of an immediate family member within the third degree of consanguinity (up to 10 days per year)
Extended Sick Leave
The university offers extended paid sick leave (granted by the university president) for academic and administrative faculty members who have exhausted their sick leave and are unable to return to work.
Requesting Sick Leave
Academic and administrative faculty members may request leave in minimum of half-day (four-hour) increments. Time off requests are submitted through Workday. The “” job aid is available for those who need instructions.
Sick Leave Payout at Separation
Academic and administrative faculty are not eligible to receive payout of unused sick leave. Sick leave is forfeited.
Wellness
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a University of Nevada, Las Vegas sponsored program. The EAP is managed by . The program provides all employees with assistance to address personal everyday challenges and obtain resources and information needed to support positive change and improve your well-being.
The program provides:
- Emotional support for issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, greif, loss, and life
- Qualified referrals and resources for finding child and elder care, hiring movers, home repair contractors, planning events and locating pet care
- Legal guidance and resources for divorce, adoption, family law, wills, trusts, and more
- Financial experts who can assist with retirement planning, taxes, relocation, mortgages, insurance, budgeting, debt, and bankruptcy
- Online information tools and support such as podcasts, articles, videos, slideshows
- On-demand training
The faculty/staff wellness webpage also provides on-campus resources based on the Eight Dimensions of Wellness
Tuition Assistance and Professional Development
Grant-in-Aid Program
The university offers a Grant-in-Aid program to academic and administrative faculty and their family members (spouses and financial dependents under the age of 24) with tuition assistance.
Learning & Development
A variety of personal and professional development opportunities are available to develop and enhance our workforce including:
- Virtual Professional Development Seminar series
- Management Training Academy
- Real Colors
- Leadership Coaching Program
These programs are available from our Learning & Development unit.
Retirement
All university employees are required to participate in a mandatory retirement plan in lieu of Social Security. 51ԹϺ academic faculty and administrative/professional employees working at least half-time must participate in the Nevada System of Higher Education Retirement Plan Alternative (NSHE RPA) unless they are already members of the Public Employees’ Retirement System of Nevada (NVPERS) when they are hired at the university:
- Employees contribute 17.50% of their gross salary to the 401(a) mandatory defined contribution plan
- The university contributes an additional 17.50%
Individual contributions are automatically deducted from your paycheck on a tax deferred basis and sent to the RPA plan’s record keeper, . You may access your account on the .
Voluntary Retirement Plans
Contact
If you have any questions about your benefits, please contact your HR business team representative.