Summary
The Benefit Summary is given to all new hires at the Benefits Orientation and is available for prospective hires as well (prospective employees should review the HR Prospective Employee webpage for more details). For detailed benefits information, refer to the Core, Optional, and Wellness tabs below.
Core Health Benefits cover medical, dental, vision, and an automatic $10,000 of employee life insurance (medical election is required to participate, though opting out is considered a medical election, declining is not). Employees pay either 3% or 5% of the total benefit premium cost, depending on what medical plan they elect. Employees enrolling in the lowest-cost medical plan will pay 3% for their core benefits premiums and employees enrolled in either of the other plans will pay 5%(opt-out employees pay 5% for any other core benefits).
Optional Health Benefits include life insurance, disability insurance, accidental death & dismemberment, long-term care, and flex-spending accounts. The employee pays 100% of these premiums.
Wellness Programs are available and provide information, assistance, and resources to employees, encouraging a wholesome and complete lifestyle.
Core Health Benefits
Core Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision & Automatic Basic Life Insurance
Southern Oregon University’s benefit-eligible employees have access to Medical, Dental, and Vision plans (a medical election is required to participate, though opting out is considered a medical election, declining is not). Automatically included in Core Benefit is $10K of guaranteed issue Basic Life Insurance, the full monthly premium is $1.60/month, employee's monthly portion is either $0.05 or $0.08, depending on which medical plan is elected. Employees only pay 3% or 5% of the total premium cost of their Core benefits, SOU covers the rest.
Medical Plans
Medical plans available are determined by location, where employees pay only 3% or 5% of their total Core Benefit costs, depending on which medical plan they enroll in (Opt-Outs pay 5%). Some big differences between medical plans are how you navigate the plan and the network of providers and facilities. Employees' standard deductible is $250 per tier ($250 for employee-only coverage, $500 for employee+spouse/partner coverage or employee+children, and $750 for family coverage). Check out the PEBB CORE Benefits Plan summary document for more information.
Available to Jackson County residents are the following medical plans:
- PEBB Statewide (employee pays 5% of Core benefit premiums for the 2022 plan year) - A nationwide network with numerous providers in the plan, where employees do not need referrals and typically pay 15% for most services.
- Moda Synergy (employee pays 5% of Core benefit premiums for the 2022 plan year) - The network is defined within counties in Oregon and as long as providers are in-network and you have PCP 360 elected on file (location of primary doctor), members do not need referrals and often pay about $10 for most services.
- Providence Choice (employee pays 3% of Core benefit premiums for the 2022 plan year) - The network is defined within counties in Oregon and members must obtain referrals for specialty services, members often pay about $10 for most services.
Dental Plans
Through Moda, PEBB members have access to two Delta Dental plans (through Moda), which require the member to elect a dentist within the network. Willamette Dental is also available, which is a clinic location, with one clinic in Medford, Grants Pass, and more clinics located across the state; members do not elect their dentist but are rather scheduled with whoever is available at their clinic, though members out-of-pocket costs for services are greatly reduced. Check out the PEBB CORE Benefits Plan summary document for more information.
Available to Jackson County residents are the following dental plans:
Vision
VSP (Vision Service Plan) is the only vision plan available to PEBB members, though members can upgrade to Vision Plus, which allows a better benefit for glasses. VSP is a national provider where most local eye centers are in the network. Check out the PEBB CORE Benefits Plan summary document for more information. (Note: VSP members do not get vision cards. Instead, find a local vision center and share your medical ID card with them and they can find you in the VSP system. Members who opt out of medical can use their PEBB ID number.)
Review VSP coverage and find providers:
Optional Health Benefits
Optional Benefits: Optional Life, Disability, Long Term Care, & Flexible Spending Accounts
Employees who enroll in optional benefits pay 100% of the cost of premiums. Employees may have other benefits available to them through their elected medical insurance provider.
Employee and Spouse/Partner Optional Life Insurance
EMPLOYEE: When employees are first eligible for health insurance they have a one-time allowable enrollment of up to $100k of guaranteed issue coverage without having to do a medical history statement. Employees can enroll in up to $600k of coverage but are required to complete a medical history statement and if approved can enroll in additional coverage. If the employee enrolls in no life insurance or less than the $100k guaranteed issue amount, they must complete a medical history statement for any increase in the future. This is term life insurance, which means that the insurance benefit is payable only if the insured person dies during the period specified by the policy (while covered under the plan). The beneficiary receives the benefit payment if the insured person dies while covered under the policy. In this case, that is while the person is a PEBB-eligible state employee whose premium payments are current. The Standard pays the benefit upon death from any cause (excluding suicide during the first two years of coverage).
SPOUSE/PARTNER: This is term life insurance. Term life insurance means that the insurance benefit is payable only if the insured person dies during a specified period. The beneficiary receives the benefit payment if the insured person dies while covered under the policy. In this case, that is while the employee who purchases the coverage is a PEBB-eligible state employee and premium payments for the coverage are current.
Dependent Life
This is term life insurance. The beneficiary (the enrolled employee) is the recipient for individuals who die while covered under the policy.
In this case that is when the employee who purchases the coverage is a PEBB-eligible state employee and premium payments for the coverage are current.
Short-Term Disability
The benefit covers 60 percent of your insured earnings. For short-term disability, the insured earnings amount is based on your weekly earnings in effect on your last full day of work. When your insured earnings increase (for example, with a pay increase), your premium rate increases. Insured earnings do not include overtime pay, bonuses, or dollars received when you opt out of medical coverage. (Note: Temporary employees cannot enroll in disability.)
Long Term Disability
The benefit covers a percentage of your monthly insured earnings. You determine the percentage when you choose from the four options. For long-term disability, the insured earnings amount is based on your monthly earnings in effect on your last full day of work. When your insured earnings increase (for example, with a pay increase), your premium rate increases. Insured earnings do not include overtime pay, bonuses, or dollars received when you opt out of medical coverage. (Note: Temporary employees cannot enroll in disability.)
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
The AD&D plan provides 24-hour coverage for accidental loss of life or limb loss for employees and their eligible dependents. You may select a coverage amount from $50,000 to $500,000, in increments of $50,000.
Long-Term Care
Members eligible for long-term care insurance can enroll for coverage at any time - not just during your initial enrollment or Open Enrollment. During Open Enrollment, you can begin the enrollment process online through your record in the benefits system; however, you will still need to submit forms from the carrier, UNUM, directly to PEBB.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
FSAs allow you to use pre-tax dollars to reimburse yourself for IRS-Qualified expenses. Use a Health Care FSA for IRS-qualified medical and dental expenses not covered in your plan, or use a Dependent Care FSA for IRS-qualified daycare expenses that allow you to work. FSAs are annual accounts. If you want an FSA for the coming plan year, you must enroll in Open Enrollment. You can't revoke your participation in an FSA after it goes into effect. When enrolling in flexible spending, PEBB will ask how many "pay events" the employee has in a calendar year. If paid on the academic year cycle, employees will report that they have 10-PAY EVENTS. NOTE: Commuter parking and transportation accounts are available through PEBB but typically do not benefit SOU employees. If the employee pays for public parking or transportation for the purpose of work, then the Commuter plans may useful.
Wellness Programs
Well-Being (n.): The state of being healthy, happy, and prosperous
More Wellness related resources can be found at PEBB's Wellness Central webpage and additional SOU employee perks can be found on the HR Perks and Discounts webpage.
Health Engagement Model (HEM)
The goal of the HEM program is to engage as many people as possible in improving their health. Participating in HEM helps you learn about your health risks and take action to reduce them. Becoming healthier together can help contain healthcare costs for all of us over time. Enrollment in HEM for the coming year occurs during Open Enrollment and is MANDATORY. Participants receive a health incentive in their monthly pay, available in January after completion of Open Enrollment.
Bus Pass Program
Sign up for a free UMO bus pass by connecting with the Service Center so that you can ride the bus for free, a service provided through RVTD (Rogue Valley Transportation District). Enjoy a trip downtown for lunch, ride to and from work without worrying about parking, or even enjoy the bus for easy weekend transportation.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Canopy Wellbeing
Southern Oregon University contracts with Canopy Wellbeing (formerly known as Cascade Centers, Inc.) to provide a comprehensive EAP for eligible employees and their dependents. the EAP is a FREE and CONFIDENTIAL benefit that can assist you and your eligible family members with any personal problems, large or small. A summary of services can be found here and more detailed information on the HR Employee Assistance Program webpage.
Healthy Team Healthy U (HTHU)
Healthy Team Healthy U targets your overall health to maximize results and create healthier minds, healthier bodies, and a healthier workplace. Through this program, you gain access to an online support community and vast resources to cultivate a healthier lifestyle.
Tobacco Cessation
Employees enrolled in medical insurance have access to a smoking cessation program to assist with quitting tobacco consumption and lower health care costs.
Travel AssistanceAll PEBB members are automatically enrolled in Travel Assistance, which offers worldwide medical assistance and medical transport, personal security services, and trip/pre-trip assistance.
WW (formerly Weight Watchers)
Weight Watchers program assists employees with achieving weight loss goals in a healthy supportive environment. Weight Watchers group is available on campus.
Join Better Choices, Better Health for online workshops, information, and tools you need to manage chronic conditions and live a better life. Empower yourself with management techniques and a flexible 6-week online workshop so you can go at your own pace.
Diabetes Prevention Programs (Available through Providence medical plans and Moda medical plans)
All of SOU’s medical plan programs are designed to help you improve your health and lower your risk of developing diabetes. Weekly lessons, 24x7 online tools, and dedicated personal health coaches empower you to take small practical steps to reach your health goals.
PEBB insurance companies offer discounts to over 11,000 participating fitness centers and programs nationwide for only $25/month. Check out your medical carrier’s website for more information and details. They also offer fitness-related discounts!