Benefits While on a Leave of Absence

While on a University-approved, unpaid leave of absence of six (6) months or less, employee benefits contributions will be charged at the employee’s regular rate. Because the employee is not receiving a paycheck from the University (instead, for example, New York State Workers’ Compensation Board – Disability Benefits makes payments), the employee will be billed by Employee Benefit Plan Administration, Inc. (EBPA).

• The employee will receive payment coupons via U.S. mail to their home address from EBPA.
• The employee must remit monthly payments directly to EBPA.
• Benefits coverage will terminate if payment is not received on a timely basis.
• Questions can be directed to the Columbia Benefits Service Center by email [email protected] or by phone: 212-851-7000, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Or, call EBPA's billing department: 888-232-3203.

While on a University-approved, unpaid leave of absence of more than six (6) months, employee benefit contributions will be charged at the full premium rate (also called "COBRA-equivalent rate"). This charge begins with the seventh month of any continuous leave (consecutive paid and unpaid leave combined). 

If the employee is not receiving a paycheck from the University (instead, for example, New York State Workers’ Compensation Board – Disability Benefits makes payments), the employee will be billed by Employee Benefit Plan Administration, Inc. (EBPA).

• The employee will receive payment coupons via U.S. mail to their home address from EBPA.
• Employee must remit monthly payments directly to EBPA.
• Benefits coverage will terminate if payment is not received on a timely basis.
• Questions can be directed to the Columbia Benefits Service Center by email [email protected] or by phone: 212-851-7000, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Or, call EBPA's billing department: 888-232-3203.

^{*Note: For Faculty members out on leave for longer than six (6) months, please contact the Columbia Benefits Service Center by emailing [email protected] or calling 212-851-7000.}

• If the employee is performing service with the uniformed services for 15 days or less in a calendar year, he/she is put on a paid leave of absence, and there are no benefits implications.
• After 15 days, the employee is put on an unpaid leave of absence. See “Unpaid Leave of Absence” on this page.

Immediately upon eligibility for Medicare, either as a result of disability and/or attainment of age 65, you are responsible to apply for and pay any costs associated with Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare will be considered primary to any medical coverage provided to you by Columbia University, which will only pay claims as a secondary provider.

If a Long-Term Disability (LTD) Leave of Absence is approved, the employee can continue medical and dental coverage.

• The employee will receive payment coupons via U.S. mail to their home address from Employee Benefit Plan Administration, Inc. (EBPA).
  • Employee must remit monthly payments directly to EBPA.
  • Benefits coverage will terminate if payment is not received on a timely basis.
• Medical benefit contributions will be charged at a monthly rate equal to the $175,000 - $224,999 salary tier for the employee's current medical plan and coverage level.
  • This rate will be effective as of the first date of the month following the date the LTD leave is approved. If awaiting a Long-Term Disability decision, the COBRA rate will be charged. If LTD is approved, then the lower rate described above will be retroactive to the first date of the approved leave.
• Dental benefit contributions will be the same as he/she had while actively at work (also called "active rate").
• The employee may apply to continue life insurance benefits through waiver of premium if they are under age 60. The life insurance carrier will review and determine if the application is approved.

Questions can be directed to the Columbia Benefits Service Center by email [email protected] or by phone: 212-851-7000, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Or, call EBPA's billing department: 888-232-3203

Additional information regarding the medical plan rates for Officers may be found in the Health & Welfare Benefits section.