Benefits FAQs 

How long will my UTMB Benefits remain in effect if I am no longer employed?
Benefits will remain in effect through the last day of the month in which the employee terminates employment.

What options are available to continue my Benefits if I am no longer employed (either voluntarily or involuntarily)?
Employees that are currently enrolled in Health, Dental, Vision or UT Flex (Medical Expense Account) are eligible to continue the same group coverage through COBRA for 18 months or through retiree benefits if eligible. You may be eligible to convert your Term Life Insurance and Long Term Disability to an individual policy. The Long Term Care plan is portable; this means you are able to retain the LTC coverage at the same rate after you terminate coverage or retire by contacting C.N.A. at 1.888.825.0353.

What happens to my prescription plan with Medco?
Your prescription drug plan will continue to be with Medco as long as you maintain the medical plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield under the COBRA plan.

I am currently enrolled in a Flex Medical Reimbursement Account and/or Daycare Reimbursement Account. What happens to my money that is left in the plan when I leave UTMB?
Expenses incurred up to November 15, 2008 from last years UT Flex account may be submitted no later than November 30, 2008. UT Flex expenses incurred before you leave UTMB may be reimbursed if you file a claim no later than November 30, 2009. You will not be reimbursed for any expenses that you incur after you leave UTMB unless you continue to pay into the Medical Expense account through COBRA. You are not eligible to file claims for your Daycare Expenses unless the expenses were incurred while you were working at UTMB. Any funds left in your Day Care Expense account when you terminate employment will be forfeited.

Will I continue to receive premium sharing if I retire or resign from UTMB?
If you meet retirement eligibility with UTMB or UT System the State of Texas will continue to provide 100% of your premiums for the Basic Coverage Package, and up to 50% of the premiums for your dependents’ medical coverage. If you are resigning from UTMB your are no longer eligible for premium sharing but will be eligible to continue your benefits through COBRA for yourself and any eligible dependents that were on your benefit programs. You will be responsible for the entire premium for medical, dental, vision and life insurance.

Are my covered dependents eligible to continue receiving benefits upon my death?
If your eligible dependents were participating in the Program on the date of the Employee’s/Retired Employee’s death the surviving dependent may continue Program coverage for the remainder of the Surviving Spouse’s life or, if a dependent child, until the child reaches age 25, if the employee had at least five (5) years of TRS or ORP creditable service, including at least three (3) years with UT as a benefits-eligible Employee; or The Surviving dependent of an active Employee at a UT institution with less than five (5) years of TRS or ORP creditable service, or with five years service credit but less than three years of service as a benefits-eligible UT employee, may continue Program coverage for a period not to exceed the number of months equal to the number of months of service credit of the deceased Employee. If the amount of creditable service is less than 36 months, once the individual’s Surviving Spouse coverage ends, the individual may elect COBRA coverage for a period not to exceed 36 months minus the number of months the individual received coverage as a Surviving Spouse.