Frequently Asked Questions - TEST

Annual Benefits Salary is the greater of a) the base salary in effect on each July 1; or b) the prior 12 months’ gross compensation, to June 30. It is calculated as of July 1 each year and goes into effect the following January 1. Your Annual Benefits Salary is used to determine your life insurance coverage and eligibility for the Child Care Benefit.

Log in to CUBES and click the Alerts tab to find the Dependent Verification page to upload documentation. Or send via secure fax to 844-301-7225. If you do not have access to scan or fax documents, contact the Columbia Benefits Service Center for instructions.

No. Opposite sex domestic partners are not eligible.

Log in to CUBES and go to your Profile. Select "Life Insurance Beneficiaries," then click and follow prompts, or change your allocated percent for existing beneficiaries. Remember to save your updates.

Go to Directory and Benefits Vendors, and keyword filter for Dental Providers, the links will direct you to external provider search sites.

You can search for in-network providers, and confirm the network status of providers on UHC’s Find a Doctor or Facility page.

Scroll down the page to "Columbia University Medical Providers" or "Columbia University Behavioral Health Providers” for a list of Columbia doctors who provide in-network services through UHC only for Columbia’s employees and their dependents.

Preventive care includes routine well exams, screenings and immunizations intended to prevent or avoid health problems. Go to Preventive Care for more information.

Under the Choice Plus 80 and 90 plans, deductible and coinsurance apply for labwork and radiology, even if done as part of an office visit. 

For SSA and TWU-member Choice In-Network plans, outpatient lab and radiology will incur a $150 copay if done in a hospital. Alternatively, if you use a free-standing facility outside of the hospital, you will be covered at 100%. 

For Non-Union Support Staff in  the Choice Plus 100 plan, the deductible will apply for lab and radiology completed in a non-hospital setting. If done in a hospital, a $150 copay will apply. 

For the Choice In-Network and Choice Plus 100 plans, it is important to note that there is no copay if you use certain designated New York-Presbyterian (NYP) hospital locations for outpatient lab and radiology services. 

Yes, once you reach the in-network out-of-pocket maximum, the Plan covers 100% of in-network covered expenses. Your in-network deductible, coinsurance and medical and prescription copays apply to the out-of-pocket maximum. Your out-of-network expenses will also accumulate toward your in-network out-of-pocket maximum. 

If you reach the out-of-network out-of-pocket maximum, the Plan will increase coverage of eligible expenses to 190% of the Medicare Maximum Allowable Charge (MAC). 

Call 855-427-4682 to speak to a patient care representative, specialty-trained pharmacist or nurse, 24/7. BriovaRx, the OptumRx speciality pharmacy, delivers specialty medications by mail. If you use any other pharmacy, you will be responsible for the entire cost of the medication.

Basic vision coverage is included if you elect Columbia-provided medical coverage. To search for a vision provider, log in to myuhc.com, go to the “Coverage & Benefits" tab, scroll to Vision and click on "Find a Vision Provider."

If you visited an out-of-network provider, complete a UHC Out-of-Network Vision Claim Form and mail or fax—with related receipts—to UHC.

Dependent Care FSA funds can pay for eligible dependent day care expenses.

Healthcare FSA funds can pay for eligible healthcare expenses.

Learn more about Support Staff FSAs

Unused Dependent Care FSA funds are forfeited at the end of the calendar year (you have until March 31 of the following year to submit).

A monthly dollar amount of your choice, up to the annual IRS limit, is deducted pre-tax from your pay.

Learn more about Transit/Parking Reimbursement 

Pre-tax deductions for University and New York-Presbyterian (NYP) parking spaces are separate from the EBPA T/PRP benefit.

You may participate in both programs if you also park outside of the University or NYP space for work purposes and your combined pre-tax deductions do not exceed the monthly IRS limit.

Unused T/PRP contributions roll over for use in future months, but you cannot use more than the IRS limit in any given month. However, you may never be reimbursed for transit or parking expenses in an amount above the monthly IRS limit. 

Example: Your monthly railroad ticket costs $330 and you contribute the monthly maximum IRS allowable amount of $300. You go on vacation for the entire month of July and do not stop contributions. Your T/PRP August balance  would be $600 but, per IRS regulations, you can only use $300 per month. You could stop contributions for a month, to bring down your balance to $0. This is especially important to remember if you are considering leaving the University.

If you do not incur enough eligible expenses before you leave the University, to bring your balance to $0, you will forfeit any unused funds.

Q. What does the Tuition Exemption Benefit cover?
A. The Tuition Exemption Benefit for Support Staff applies during the academic year to undergraduate or graduate classes at Columbia University, Barnard College and Teachers College. Eligible dependents may receive the unused portion of a Support Staff member's benefit, but only at Columbia. The academic year is from September to May.

Q. Does the Tuition Exemption Benefit cover courses taken during the Summer Term?
A. Yes, at Columbia only. Summer courses at Barnard College and Teachers College are not covered.

Q. How is tuition paid?
A. When you submit your eligibility form to the school's billing department, your tuition will be exempted and you will see a Tuition Exemption Benefit credit on your Student Account. You are responsible for paying all fees—for example, course fees and textbook and residence fees, where applicable.

Q. Can I take classes during work hours?
A. If you are taking courses during working hours, you must have your supervisor's approval.
 
Q. Do I have to be accepted and enrolled in the school I wish to attend to be eligible for tuition exemption?
A. Yes, to receive the Tuition Exemption Benefit, you must be first accepted and enrolled in the school you wish to attend. Consult your Collective Bargaining Agreement or the Tuition Exemption Policy to confirm what's covered.

To Print Your Proof of Eligibility – Log in to CUBES with your UNI and password. Select "Actions," then "Print Your Tuition Eligibility Form." Next, click "Tuition Exemption - For Yourself," then print, complete and sign the form.

Submit the form to your school's billing office as follows:

• Columbia Programs: Student Service Center
  • Morningside: 205 Kent Hall
  • CUMC: 1-141 Black Building
• Barnard College Programs: Room 15 Milbank Hall
• Teachers College Programs: Room 133 Thompson Hall

Q. What is meant by degree matriculation?
A. Degree Matriculation refers to being officially accepted and enrolled in a degree program. You must be first be accepted and enrolled in the school you wish to attend before you may use the Tuition Exemption Benefit.

Q. Are Post-baccalaureate certificate programs covered?
A. Yes, Post-baccalaureate certificate programs are covered under the Tuition Exemption Benefit.

Q. What courses are not covered under the Tuition Exemption Benefit for Support Staff or their family members?
A. For courses that are not covered under the Tuition Exemption Benefit, go to your union's Tuition Exemption Overview page, where you can view "Courses Not Covered."

Q: If I am laid off, how will it affect my eligibility for Tuition Exemption?
A: Tuition Exemption for that term will not be revoked. However, Tuition Exemption will not be granted for any additional term, unless you are reinstated. Please refer to the Support Staff Tuition Policy for additional status changes and how they affect your Tuition Exemption Benefit.

Q. Can I drop a course without losing the Tuition Exemption benefit?
A. Yes, you can drop a course. However, to avoid any possibility of financial responsibility and to avoid having the course count toward your Tuition Exemption Benefit limits, you must arrange with your school and the Registrar to drop the course before the close of Change of Program Period.

Q. What courses are not covered under the Tuition Exemption Benefit for spouses or same-sex domestic partners?
A. Courses not covered include:

• All short-term, intensive and fee-based courses in which the instructor is paid on the basis of the number of students registered in the course
• Non-Credit Courses
• Courses with no point/credit value
• Applied music courses (i.e., musical instrument instruction)
• Course numbers beginning with the letter "Q" or "N," unless such a course is taken to fulfill a degree requirement
• Any courses you audit

Q. Can my spouse or same-sex domestic partner drop a course without losing the Tuition Exemption benefit?
A. Yes, your spouse or same-sex domestic partner can drop a course, however, they need to arrange with the School and the Registrar to drop it before the close of Change of Program Period to avoid any possibility of financial responsibility and to avoid having the course count toward their Tuition Exemption course limits.

Q. Is the undergraduate Tuition Exemption Benefit for my same-sex domestic partners considered taxable income?
A. Yes. The value of any Tuition Exemption Benefit for your same-sex domestic partner is treated as part of the Support Staff's taxable income by the Federal Government and, therefore Columbia University will withhold taxes.

Q. When are my children eligible for Tuition Exemption benefits?
A. Eligibility of your children to receive Tuition Exemption benefits depends on your years of service, as there are waiting periods for Support Staff who are non-union and those covered by a collective bargaining contract. Waiting periods are as follows:

Two (2) years of continuous employment for Support Staff before children are eligible for the Tuition Exemption Benefit:

• Non-Union Support Staff
• Local 2110 UAW
• 1999 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East SSA area (Medical Center)
• Local 199 SEIU (Clerical & Cafeteria Units)
• MEBA
• MM&P

Four (4) years of continuous employment for Support Staff before children are eligible for the Tuition Exemption Benefit:

• Local 100 UNITE HERE (Faculty House)
• TWU Local 241 (Maintenance & Custodial and Security Officers)

Q. Does my child have to meet certain eligibility requirements?
A. Yes, provided you are a Full-Time or Part-Time Support Staff member, or the spouse or same-sex domestic partner of a Full-time or Part-time Support Staff member. Eligible children must be:

• Matriculated in a Bachelor's or Master's Degree Program only; and
• Be your biological child, adopted child or stepchild, or under your legal guardianship.

To receive Tuition Exemption, your child must also be matriculated into an undergraduate or graduate program at Columbia only, and will be eligible only for the unused portion of your Tuition Exemption benefit, based on your Support Staff Group, Full-Time or Part-Time, What's Covered for Children. Please refer to your Collective Bargaining Agreement for specifics.

Q. Can my child take courses as a non-matriculated student at Columbia?
A. Yes, as long as your child has completed high school and is registered as a degree candidate at an institution outside of Columbia, they may be able to obtain admission as a non-matriculated student at Columbia. Proof of matriculation status at the other school is required.
Note: Your child must present to the Benefits Service Center a letter on the external institution's letterhead, stating good standing and that the course being taken is to fulfill part of the child's academic program.

Q. Can my child drop a course without losing the Tuition Exemption benefit?
A. Yes, your child can drop a course; however, they will need to arrange with the School and the Registrar to drop it before the close of Change of Program Period to avoid any possibility of financial responsibility and to avoid having the course count toward the Tuition Exemption course limits.

Q. Is the undergraduate Tuition Exemption Benefit for my same-sex domestic partner's dependent children considered taxable income?
A. Yes. The value of any Tuition Exemption Benefit for same-sex domestic partners' children is treated as part of the Support Staff's taxable income by the Federal Government and therefore Columbia University will withhold taxes.

Q. How do I apply for Tuition Exemption?
A.You must be accepted and enrolled in the school you wish to attend. You must complete the application process each term, by submitting your Tuition Eligibility Form for you and/or your family member, with related materials, to the appropriate school office during the Change of Program Period. The timing is important to ensure your Student Account reflects the Tuition Exemption Benefit credit, to avoid late fees.

Q. How do I determine my eligibility and that of my family members?
A.Print your Tuition Benefit Eligibility Form from the CU Benefits Enrollment System. For family members, you will also need to print and complete this form.

Q. What if my graduate courses are job related?
A.If you are enrolled in graduate-level courses or a graduate degree program that is related to your job, you must submit the Job-Related Graduate Education Certification form to Student Financial Services before the end of the Change in Program Period to avoid your benefit being taxed above the Federal annual limit of $5,250 per year. Please be sure to attach your Tuition Benefit Eligibility Form, and then submit as follows:

• Morningside: 205 Kent Hall
• CUMC: 1-141 Black Building

Q. What if the name of my family member does not appear on my Tuition Exemption form in the CU Benefits Enrollment System?
A. Only dependents that have been verified with the Columbia Benefits Service Center will be displayed on the Tuition Exemption—for Your Dependents Form. You will need to submit proof of relationship to the Columbia Benefits Service Center, which may consist of the following:

• Spouse – marriage certificate
• Dependent child – birth certificate, adoption papers or guardianship papers
• Child of a same-sex domestic partner – birth certificate, adoption papers or guardianship papers

Once your dependent status is verified with the Benefits Service Center, you will be able to print out the Tuition Benefit Eligibility Form for the appropriate dependent.

The VRSP is a defined contribution 403(b) plan that lets you contribute toward your retirement savings through convenient payroll deductions. You are eligible to participate on your date of hire and can contribute on a pre-tax and/or a Roth after-tax basis up to the IRS annual limit.  If you contributed to a 403(b) or 401(k) plan at a previous employer on either a pre-tax or Roth basis, you can roll over your contributions to the VRSP.

You can select from a wide choice of investment funds for your contributions through the investment carrier you select, either Vanguard or TIAA-CREF.  Please contact the carriers directly to review the investment choices available to you via their contact information below.

• The Vanguard Group: vanguard.com; 800-523-1188
• TIAA: tiaa.org/columbia; 800-842-2252

The University offers retirement planning workshops several times a year that are designed to give participants an overview of the financial and retirement planning process.  The workshops provide education on several topics including, taxation, income requirements and estate planning. You may register on the Benefits website under “Events.”

In addition to the workshops, the University’s investment carriers provide one-on-one counseling.  You can register at the appropriate vendor websites.

• The Vanguard Group: www.meetvanguard.com; 800-662-0106, ext. 14500
• TIAA tiaa.org/moc; 800-732-8353

The Office of Faculty Retirement supports all Columbia faculty on all campuses.  You can find Information on: planning for future retirement, initiation of immediate or phased retirement, and activity following retirement.

Go to faculty-retirement.columbia.edu for more information.