For complete information regarding benefits, please call the Office of Human Resources at 931-540-2522 and request additional information or visit www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/inspub.html for a Insurance Handbook or forms. A number of optional benefit programs are available to regular full-time and/or regular part-time employees. 

___________________________________________________________________________________

Medical & Dental Insurance

GROUP MEDICAL / HEALTH INSURANCE

Employees participating in the group insurance have the option of choosing between the state's three major plans.  Visit www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/inspub.html for an enrollment/change form.

1. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
   For a list of physicians in the network call (800) 810-BLUE (2583).  To obtain a copy of the PPO Handbook and providers visit www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/bc_ppo06.pdf.  Employees and dependents using these providers have benefits covered at 90/10, and 70/30 if using Non-Blue Network Providers. Deductibles are $750 for family and $300 for single coverage.  Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Tennessee administers the self-insured health insurance program. The state contributes 80% of the plan premium and the employee contributes the other 20% via payroll deduction. Effective January 1, 2006 prescription co-payments will have a $1,350 annual out-of-pocket maximum. For more information, call 800-558-6213 or visit www.bcbst.com.  You may order prescription refills online at www.bcbst.com/pharmacy.
2. CIGNA (HMO)
   CIGNA is available in Cheatham, Davidson, DeKalb, Dickson, Fayette, Hickman, Macon, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Shelby, Sumner, Tipton, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson counties.  To obtain a copy of the HMO Handbook and network providers visit www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/cigna_hmo06.pdf, or www.cigna.com, or call (800) 564-7642.  One-hundred percent (100%) coverage is provided for most medical conditions and requires a $15 co-payment for office visits and a $20 co-payment for specialists. Prescription drugs require a $5 co-payment for generic, a $20 co-payment for preferred brand, and $40 co-payment for non-preferred brand drugs. For more information, call 800-285-4812 or visit www.teldrug.com.  For information on visual care visit www.VSP.com or call (800) 877-7195.
3. CIGNA (POS)
   To obtain a copy of the CIGNA POS Handbook and network providers call (800) 564-7642 or visit www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/cigna_pos06.pdf.  Employees and dependents using network providers receive the highest level of benefits. The POS requires a $20 co-payment per regular visit and a $25 co-payment for a specialist visit.  You may order prescription refills by calling (800) 285-4812 or online at www.teldrug.com or call (800) 285-4812.  For information on visual care visit www.VSP.com or call (800) 877-7195.
4. Chattanooga United Healthcase (HMO)
   To obtain a copy of the handbook and network providers  call 1-877-366-0011 or visit www.uhcrivervalley.com/employer/tennstate. Columbia State employees living in Marshall County are eligible to participate in the HMO. Employees and dependents must pay a $15 copayment if visiting a primary care physician and a $20 copay if visiting a specialist. Information about prescription drug coverage is available at the aforementioned site.

OPTIONAL MEDICAL PROGRAMS

1. Medicare Supplement Coverage
   Retirees may retain health insurance coverage in the group plan until they are eligible for Medicare due to age.  If a retiree becomes eligible for Medicare Part A prior to age 65, Medicare Part B must be retained to continue coverage.  Retirees and covered dependents eligible for Medicare due to age are eligible to participate in the State Medicare Supplemental Plan.  Three plans are available to retirees and dependents.  For more information call the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) at (800) 770-8277 or visit www.treasury.state.tn.us/tcrs/index.htm
2. COBRA
   The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a federal law that permits eligible employees and dependents whose medical insurance would otherwise terminate, to continue coverage for specific periods of time under certain conditions.  For more information visit www.Tennessee.gov/finance/ins/cobra.pdf.
3. Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
   Employees are eligible up to six counseling sessions free of charge with Magellan Health Services.  Confidential help through Magellan is available to assist with problems related to alcohol and drug abuse, anxiety, child and elder care, compulsive gambling, financial troubles, job burnout, legal questions, marital problems, parent-child conflict, physical abuse, stress, work-related difficulties, etc.  For more information call 800-307-4934 or visit www.magellanhealth.com.
4. American Family Life (AFLAC)
   A cancer insurance option is available to all full-time and regular part-time employees.  For more information employees may contact Janis Brock, 1550 New Lake Road, Lewisburg, TN 37091, (931) 359-9438 or (931) 363-5307 or visit www.aflac.com.
5. Long Term Care
   Effective July 1, 2003 a new optional long term care insurance plan became available.  The coverage is available to employees and retirees, eligible dependents, parents, and parents-in-law.  MedAmerica Insurance Company is administrator for the plan.  Current employees have a one-time opportunity to apply for coverage without the requirement of medical questions or any other qualification.  However this option is not available for other family members.  For more information contact customer services at (866) 615-5824 or visit www.ltc-tn.com.
6. Long Term Disability – ITT Hartford Life Insurance Company
   All regular active full-time non-exempt and exempt employees are eligible.  Coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following the completion of one full calendar month of continuous employment for employees scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week provided you are not required to submit Evidence of Insurability.  The plan provides three benefit options.  Option 1 requires 180 days of total disability before becoming eligible for benefits, option 2 requires 120 days of total disability, and option 3 requires 90 days of total disability before becoming eligible for benefits.  For more information contact Cowan Benefit Services, Inc. 113 Seaboard Lane, Suite C-170, Franklin, TN 37067 or call (800) 457-1463.

OPTIONAL DENTAL PROGRAMS

The State of Tennessee sponsors two dental plans for employees.  You may visit the Department of Insurance at www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/dental.html for a comparison of the plans or the underwriter’s website listed below.

1. Preferred Dental Organization (PDO)
   Employees do not pay a deductible if a preferred dentist provides the service. The employee is responsible for charges over the maximum allowable charge when receiving services for a non-preferred dentist. The individual annual maximum benefit is $1,000. For more information, call 800-255-3104 or (615) 255-3175 or visit www.deltadentaltn.com.
2. Prepaid Dental Plan
   This plan has a number of participating dentists. The employee chooses a general dentist who is a participating provider for the entire family. If a non-participating dentist performs services, the employee is responsible for the payment. For more information, call 800-443-2995 or visit www.assurantemployeebenefits.com or www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/dental_pre06.pdf.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Life Insurance

GROUP BASIC TERM & SPECIAL ACCIDENT

Employees enrolled in the health care program automatically have basic term life and special accident insurance coverage based on the employee’s base annual salary.  Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Company of Chicago is the provider. For more information call (800) 348-4511 or visit the state website. The state pays the premium for the first $20,000 of basic term life and $40,000 of basic special accident coverage for those employees participating in the group health care program.  Employee age and salary determine the amount of coverage up to a maximum amount of $50,000 and $100,000 for accidental death and dismemberment.  The face value declines above age 65.  Eligible dependents are covered for $3,000 basic term life coverage.  Accidental death and dismemberment coverage is dependent upon the employee’s annual salary and family composition. 

OPTIONAL PROGRAMS

Eligible employees may elect additional coverage in the optional special accident insurance, optional term life insurance and optional universal life programs. 

1. Optional Special Accident Insurance
   Employees eligible to participate in the State sponsored health care program may purchase optional special accident insurance.  Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Company of /Chicago is the provider.  The employee does not have to be enrolled in the health care program to participate.  New employees may enroll upon initial hire, thereafter they can only enroll during the annual transfer period.  For more information you may visit www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/life_basic.pdf.
2. Optional Term Life
   UnumProvident Life and Accident is the provider for this insurance program.  Employees must enroll upon initial hire, with coverage becoming effective after completing three full calendar months of employment; otherwise, they may only enroll during the annual transfer period and must furnish proof of insurability.  Employees may increase coverage during the annual transfer period in increments of $5,000.  Coverage is available for spouses and dependents.  For more information call (866) 298-7636 or visit www.unumprovident.com or www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/life_opt.pdf.
3. Optional Universal Life Program
   UnumProvident Life and Accident is the provider for this insurance program.  Employees must enroll upon initial hire, with coverage becoming effective after completing three full calendar months of employment; otherwise, they may only enroll during the annual transfer period and must furnish proof of insurability. Employees may increase coverage during the annual transfer period in increments of $1,000 with a minimum coverage of $5,000.  Coverage is available on spouses and dependents.  For more information you may call (866) 298-7636 or visit www.unumprovident.com or www.state.tn.us/finance/ins/life_opt.pdf. 

___________________________________________________________________________________

Retirement

NON-CONTRIBUTARY RETIREMENT PROGRAMS

The College provides two types of non-contributory retirement programs (no employee contributions). Select either TCRS or ORP.

1. Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS)
   All full-time and regular part-time employees are eligible for this plan.  The plan has a five-year vesting requirement.  Salary and years of service determine employee benefits.  Disability retirement also requires a five-year vesting period. A vested employee may retire after attaining age 60, or after completing 30 years of service. An employee is eligible for early retirement upon reaching age 55 if he/she is vested. For more information, visit www.treasury.state.tn.us/tcrs/index.htm.
2. Optional Retirement Program (ORP)
   Faculty, administrative and professional staff at Columbia State may choose membership in Group I of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) or membership in the Optional Retirement Program (ORP).  The three annuity providers are listed below, and can be used in any combination. Benefits are based on how contributions to the plans are invested. The current institutional/state contribution rate to any of the plans is 10% of the gross salary below the social security wage base and 11% above. Vesting is immediate. For more information, visit www.treasury.state.tn.us/orp.
   
   - TIAA-CREF
   For additional information, call 800-842-2003 or(770)-399-5200 or visit www.tiaa-cref.org
   
   - ING
   For additional information, call 800-727-4313 or (615) 291-8699 or visit www.ingretirementplans.com
   
   - AIG Retirement
   For additional information visit www.aigvalic.com or, call 800-892-5558 or (615) 221-2541 or visit www.aigvalic.com/valic2003/aigvalic.nsf/contents/home.

OPTIONAL DEFERRED COMPENSATION / SUPPLEMENTAL PLANS

Deferred Compensation
Great West/Benefits Corp administers the 401(k) and 457 programs.  For more information, contact John Reeder, Representative, or Sue Standafer, Case Manager, at 545 Main Stream Drive, Suite 407, Nashville, TN 37228 or call 615-244-1030 or 800-922-7772.

• 401(k) Plan
  Effective July 1, 1998, the Tennessee Board of Regents reinstated the $20 match for employee contributions up to $20 per month in the 401(k) deferred compensation program.  Employees may defer $13,000 in 2004, $14,000 in 2005, and $15,000 in 2006.  If an employee is age 50 or older the contribution limit increases to $16,000 in 2004, $18,000 in 2005, and $20,000 in 2006.  The State’s matching contributions are not counted in the limit.  For more information, visit www.treasury.state.tn.us/dc/index.htm.
• 457 Plan
  The 457 deferral limits are the same as the 401k above.  However employees 50 years old or older during the year will have contribution limits at $16,000 in 2004, $18,000 in 2005, and $20,000 in 2006.  Participants in this plan may also apply for a special “catch-up” provision when they are within three years of retirement with normal retirement between ages 60 and 70.  As of 2002, deferrals to the 457 plan no longer reduces the amount you may defer to the 401(k) plan.  For more information, visit www.treasury.state.tn.us/dc/index.htm.

Tax Deferred Annuities (403b)
Employees can make contributions to tax-deferred annuities on a salary reduction basis through payroll deduction through the companies listed below:

• ING - Ed Stewart, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 410, Nashville, TN 37219, telephone at 800-975-2259 or visit www.ingretirementplans.com.
• The Equitable - Garrett E. Ball, 7033 Bay Cove Trail, Nashville, TN 37221-3356, telephone at 615-673-2249 or visit www.AXAonline.com.
• AIG Retirement - Tabb Loveless, 278 Franklin Road, Suite 151, Brentwood, TN 37027 or telephone 800-892-5558 or (615) 221-2541 or visit www.aigvalic.com/valic2003/aigvalic.nsf/contents/home.
• TIAA-CREF - Susan Martin and Andrew Hall, Nashville office. Telephone (615) 783-2900 or visit www.tiaa-cref.org.
• Lincoln National Life Insurance Co. - Greg McGee, 2100 West End Avenue, Suite 800, Nashville, TN 37203. Telephone 800-767-0620 or visit www.LGF.com.
• MetLife - Mike Sharpton, 1130 Carmack Blvd, Columbia, TN 38401 or telephone 931-388-0117 or visit www.metropolitan.com.

Savings Bonds
Employees may enroll in or cancel this program at any time online at www.TreasuryDirect.gov.  The Federal Reserve mails bonds to your home. 


___________________________________________________________________________________

Educational Benefits

Detailed information is available in the College’s Policies and Procedures Manual relating to the financial support, funding limits, and eligibility criteria for the various educational programs at www.columbiastate.edu/faculty_staff/pdf/05_18.pdf.  Those programs include:

• Faculty and Administrative/Professional Staff Grant-in-Aid Program
• Faculty and Administrative/Professional Staff Tuition or Maintenance Fee Reimbursement Program
• Employee Audit/Non-Credit Program
• Clerical and Support Staff Maintenance Fee Payment Program
• Fee Waiver for TBR/UT System Employees (PC 191)
• Fee Discount for Spouses and Dependent Children Program
• Veterans ’Dependents’ Post Secondary Education Program
• Fee Waiver for Employees 65 Years and Above
• Public Higher Education Fee Waiver for State Employees Program
• Fee Discount for Dependent Children of Licensed Public School Teachers or State Employees Program.

Baccalaureate Education System Trust (BEST)
The BEST program provides the opportunity for individuals to prepay college tuition by purchasing tuition units through payroll deduction. Federal legislation allows the use of the prepaid accounts for tuition, fees, and college room and board expenses. You may purchase up to 1,500 units per child. For more information, call 888-486-BEST or visit www.treasury.state.tn.us/best/index.html.


_________________________________________________________________________________

Leave Benefits

Leave Program
Twelve-month faculty and executive/professional/administrative staff earn 15 hours of annual leave and 7.5 hours of sick leave monthly.  Regular full-time clerical and support personnel earn 7.5 hours of sick leave and accrue annual leave based upon years of service beginning with 7.5 hours monthly during the first five years of service.  For detailed information on the College’s leave programs visit www.columbiastate.edu/faculty_staff/pdf/05_13.pdf.  Other leave programs include:

_________________________________________________________________________________

Flexible Benefits

The flexible benefits plan is an Internal Revenue Code, Section 125, sanctioned plan allowing the purchase of certain benefits on a tax-free (pre-tax dollar) basis. Fringe Benefits Management Company (FBMC) is the provider. There are two benefit options available to employees, Health Care and Dependent Care.

• Health Care FSA Program
  Medical expenses not covered by your insurance plan may be eligible for reimbursement. Employees may utilize payroll deduction for projected medical cost deductions. Employees are cautioned that setting aside monies in this account falls under the "use it or lose it" stipulation of the IRS code. Each year during the annual transfer period, employees who wish to continue in the program must re-enroll.
• Dependent Care FSA Program
  Employees may utilize payroll deduction to set aside monies to pay for childcare expenses and/or eldercare expenses. Employees are cautioned that setting aside monies in this account falls under the "use it or lose it" stipulation of the IRS code. Each year during the annual transfer period, employees who wish to continue in the program must re-enroll.
• Premium Conversion for Health Premiums
  Employees may choose to pay employee group health insurance premiums via the Premium Conversion Program. Each year during the annual transfer period employees who wish to discontinue the program must sign a waiver; otherwise premiums will continue to be paid with pre-tax dollars.
• Premium Conversion for Dental Premiums
  Employees may choose any one of two insurance plans and may elect to pay the dental premiums with pre-tax dollars under the Premium Conversion Program. Each year during the annual transfer period, employees who wish to continue in the program must re-enroll.
  

For more information employees may visit myFBMC.com or call 1-800-865-3262. To access both the FBMC Web site and the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, all you need is your social security (SSN). The last four digits of your SSN is your PIN. After the initial login, you will be prompted to register and select your own PIN number. If you forget your PIN call customer service at 1-800-342-8017


___________________________________________________________________________________

Banking / Finance Benefits

Credit Unions
Membership is available in the following credit unions:

• Cornerstone Financial Credit Union, P.O. Box 120729, Nashville, TN 37212-0729 or call 800-342-2316 or 615-85-6866.
• First Community Credit Union, 5021 Trotwood Avenue, Suite B-1, Columbia, TN 38401 or call 931-388-3689.

Direct Deposit
Effective 01/01/06 direct deposit is required for all employees including temporary, and student employees. Employees are enrolled upon initial hire.


_________________________________________________________________________________

Other Benefits

Longevity Pay Plan
A longevity pay plan is in place to reward State employees for extended full-time service subject to annual positive action by the State Legislature.  Upon completion of 36 months of service, regular full-time employees are eligible to receive the current rate which is $100 per year of service, not to exceed $2,500.  For more information visit www.tbr.state.tn.us/policies_guidelines/personnel_guidelines/P-120.htm.

Tennessee State Park Discounts
Full-time or retired State employees are eligible for some discounts at Tennessee State Parks.  Generally between April 1st and October 31st employees receive a 25% discount on inn rooms and cabins, and between November 1st and March 31st the discount is 50%.  The discount does not apply to business travel and is valid only if reservations are made no more than 30 days in advance for inn rooms and 7 days in advance for cabins.  A current State ID or verification of State retirement will be required at check-in.  To make a reservation call (866) 836-6757 or visit www.Tennesseeanytime.org/parks.

Worker’s Compensation
Worker’s compensation is a benefit available to all employees who have had a work related injury or illness.  Employees suffering an injury or illness within the scope of his/her employment are eligible to file a claim.  Full-time regular employees, regular part-time employees, hourly employees, student workers, and adjunct faculty are all covered under worker’s compensation.  Employees should contact the immediate supervisor and the school nurse when an injury is incurred.  Effective 09/01//03 injured State employees must begin reporting accidents either telephonically at (866) 245-8588 or electronically at www.netclaim.net with Sedgwick James Management Services.  Employees must choose a physician from the providers who are enrolled in the worker’s compensation network.  A list of worker’s compensation network providers may be found at www.treasury.state.tn.us/wc. Failure to use a network provider could result in a claim denial and the employee would be responsible for his/her medical costs.