Eligibility and Timing FAQs

Am I eligible for Rice employee benefits?

Employees who are employed in a position that requires 20 or more hours of work per week and at least 1,000 hours each year are eligible for fringe benefits. If an individual employed in a non-benefits eligible position later meets the eligibility criteria, he or she becomes eligible for enrollment in insurance programs and paid time-off benefits on the earlier of the date the criteria are met or at the time it becomes known the position requirements will meet or exceed benefits eligibility requirements. Temporary assignments may be extended only for a reasonable, short period of time based on the nature of the assignment.

All tenure-track faculty members are eligible for benefits.

Annually appointed teaching faculty must teach at least three courses per academic year and be on an annual appointment for two semesters to be eligible for benefits.

Policy 403- Benefits Eligible

When do my benefits start?

Benefits	Takes Effect	Enrollment Period
Health and Welfare	1. Benefits are effective on the first of the month coincident with or following the benefits eligibility date. 2. July 1 for Annual Enrollment	30 days from your hire date. Within 30 days of a Qualifying Life Event(QLE). Annual Enrollment.
401(a)	Retirement contributions start once you meet 6 months of employment in a faculty and/or staff position and are in a benefit's eligible faculty and/or staff position.	Automatic after both conditions are met.
403(b)	Contributions at a rate of 4% towards the 403(b) begin after 30 days if you do not make an election or opt-out.	30 days from your hire date, or you will default to 4%. You may opt out or change this enrollment anytime, with changes effective on the next 1-2 paychecks. If you wish to contribute more or less to the plan, you may make this election by visiting the net benefits website.
Basic Life Insurance	Coverage is effective on the first of the month coincident with or following the benefits eligibility date.	Automatically enrolled. No election period.
Additional Optional Life Insurance	Coverage is effective on the first of the month coincident with or following the benefits eligibility date.	30 days from your date of hire/benefits eligibility. You may elect or increase optional life insurance during annual enrollment with Evidence of Insurability.
Short-Term Disability	Staff are eligible at the completion of 6 months in a benefits-eligible position. Faculty are eligible while in a benefits-eligible position.	Automatically enrolled. No election period.
Long-Term Disability	Begin on the 181st day of continuous disability	30 days from your date of hire/benefits eligibility. Change is available during annual enrollment.
FMLA	Staff: Worked for Rice for at least 12 months Has at least 1,250 hours of service at Rice during the 12-month period immediately preceding the leave Faculty: Eligible from day one of employment.	Automatically enrolled. No election period.
Teladoc	Benefits are effective on the first of the month coincident with or following the benefits eligibility date.	Automatically enrolled. No election period.

Who can I cover under my plans?

Spouse (unless legally separated), including legally recognized same-sex spouse Domestic partner (completed the Domestic Partner Registration Packet); not eligible for long-term care. All eligible children up to age 26 (as of July 1, 2010) for the medical plan. Eligible children include:

• Natural children
• Legally adopted children
• Stepchildren Children for whom the Rice employee is the legal guardian
• Foster children
• Children placed with the Rice employee for adoption
• Children of domestic partners (who depend on the Rice employee for support and live with Rice employee in a regular parent/child relationship)
• Unmarried dependent grandchildren (must provide court-ordered documentation of dependent status)

Unmarried dependent children, age 18 or older, who are mentally or physically impaired and incapable of taking care of themselves are also eligible for coverage (the disability must have begun before the dependent turns 19). Proof of disability must be provided to Human Resources. Coverage for a disabled dependent can continue for as long as the dependent is incapable of self-support, remains unmarried, and is dependent on the Rice employee for support.

Can I enroll my adult child in the Rice benefit plans?

Your child(ren) by birth, marriage, or adoption are eligible dependents for your Rice plans up to age 26.

How long do I have to enroll in benefits?

You have 30 days from your new hire/newly eligible date. You may also have a special enrollment period of 30 or 60 days after a Qualifying Life Event. Please have a look at the QLE page for more information.

How can I confirm my elections were saved/ updated correctly?

In iO, under the “Me” tab, select benefits. Click on “Your Benefits,” then select “Today” or a specific date and “Rice Employee Benefits” to view your elections as of that date.

How to make changes?

During your initial eligibility enrollment period, you will start by adding your eligible dependents and/or life insurance beneficiaries on the “Before You Enroll” box.

During a Qualified Life Event, select the “Report a Life Event” box to change your benefits.

During the open enrollment period, select the “Make Changes” box to edit your current benefits.

Please note: Changes can only be made during your initial enrollment period, a qualified life event, or annual enrollment.

Does Rice run on a fiscal or calendar year?

Rice’s plan year runs concurrently with its fiscal year of July 1st through June 30th.

If my spouse is currently covered on his or her employer's health plan, and they lose coverage, am I able to add them to my Rice plan?

Yes. Your spouse's and/or dependent’s loss of coverage would be considered a QLE. You should report the change under Me, Benefits and click on Report a Life Event in iO within 30 days of the effective end date of your spouse’s coverage. You will be required to submit documentation under Document Records proving your QLE.

Is there a limit to how many times I can change my elections during my initial 30-day eligibility period?

No, you can change your elections as many times as you like during your initial 30-day eligibility period. Please note that you must click Submit for each request to become effective. The last elections submitted successfully when the enrollment window closes will become effective.

Why do I see emergency contacts under my People to Cover?

Emergency contacts appear under People to Cover for your convenience. People to Cover will include eligible dependents you want to cover under your health benefits, people you want to designate as life insurance beneficiaries or emergency contacts.

Open Enrollment

I’m a new employee and just completed my initial benefits enrollment. Should I complete annual enrollment?

Yes, your elections as a new hire will be effective through June 30. Rice’s plan year is July 1 – June 30 and you may make additional changes for the new plan year. Your flexible spending and/or health savings accounts will also reset to $0 for the new plan year if you do not complete annual enrollment and re-elect these benefits for the new plan year.

Is there a limit to how many times I can change my elections during annual enrollment?

No, you can change your elections as often as you like during the annual enrollment period. Please note, you must click Submit for each request to become effective. The last elections made when the annual enrollment window closes will be effective as of July 1st.

How can I see any changes I've made to my elections?

You can review your annual enrollment changes in iO, go to Me, Benefits, Your Benefits, and search under Specific date. Changes made during Annual Enrollment will be effective July 1st.