Benefits Help and FAQs

• I am expecting a baby soon. Can I add my baby to my coverage?

  • You have 60 days from the date of birth to add your newborn to your health, dental and/or vision insurance. In order to initiate the enrollment, please submit the hospital birth certificate to your benefits representative. Insurance will be effective the 1st of the month following the date of birth. Please remember to contact University Personnel immediately when a social security number has been issued for your newborn, as a social security number is required by CalPERS for continued enrollment. Also, submit a copy of the birth certificate when one is issued. Failure to do so may result in a termination of benefits for said dependent(s).

• Can my dependent parents be covered?

  • No. Even if totally dependent on the employee, parents are not eligible for coverage under the health, dental, vision insurance plans. However, parents are eligible for the voluntary plans below:

    • TruHearing© MemberPlus Program
    • CalPERS Long Term Care Program
• How long may my dependent children remain covered under my benefit plans?

  • Eligible dependent children (natural, adopted, step, domestic partner's children, children in a parent-child relationship status) are eligible for coverage up until the age of 26.

    Disabled Children Over Age 26: A child over age 26 who is incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical condition that existed prior to age 26 and continuously since age 26 may be included at your initial enrollment. This enrollment is subject to CalPERS approval.

    Prior to enrollment of a disabled child over the age of 26, you must submit a Member Questionnaire for the CalPERS Disabled Dependent Benefit form, and your doctor must complete and submit a Medical Report for the CalPERS Disabled Dependent Benefit form for CalPERS approval. 

• Am I eligible for CSU health/dental/vision plan coverage?

  • To be eligible for plan coverage:

    • An employee must be appointed at least half-time (equivalent to 7.5 weighted teaching units for academic year appointments) for more than six months, or:
    • If employed in an R03 Lecturer or Coach Academic Year position, an employee must be appointed for at least six (6) weighted teaching units for at least two semesters.
    • Qualifying appointments may be either permanent or temporary.
• When can I enroll in benefits?

  • Newly benefits eligible employees have 60 days from the date of benefit eligibility to enroll in health, dental, FlexCash, voluntary group term life insurance (without completing the medical questionnaire), dependent and health care reimbursement plans.

    Benefit eligible employees can also enroll in benefits during the annual open enrollment period held in September/ October for a January 1st effective date.

    There are also "permitting events" that may allow you to enroll outside of 60 day election window or the open enrollment period. Please call University Personnel at 408-924-2250 for further information.

• What supporting documentation and information are required to enroll my family members?
  • • Spouse: Marriage Certificate
    • Domestic Partnership: Declaration of Domestic Partnership
    • Dependents: Birth Certificate
    • Recognized Child: Birth Certificate and Affidavit of Parent-Child Relationship

    CalPERS requires social security numbers for all of the above.

• Can I opt-out of insurance if I am covered by another insurance program?

  • Yes, there is no mandatory enrollment for CSU medical and/or dental coverage. However, you may be eligible for FlexCash (cash in lieu of health/dental coverage) if your alternate coverage is a non-CalPERS medical and/or non-State dental plan. Please see Benefits web page for eligibility requirements.

• What is the Flexcash benefit?

  • Flexcash is an optional benefit plan that allows you to waive CSU medical and/or dental coverage in exchange for cash, provided you have other non-CSU coverage.  If you waive medical and/or dental insurance coverage, you will receive additional cash in your paycheck each month.  The cash payment is:

    • $140 per month for medical and dental.
    • $128 per month for medical only.
    • $12 per month for dental only.
• Will I receive health/dental/vision insurance cards?

  • Health Plan 

    Yes, you should receive health insurance card(s) approximately 10-15 business days after your benefits are recorded by the carrier. This card will also serve as your "prescription card". You may print a temporary card by visiting your providers website.

    Delta Dental PPO 

    You will not receive insurance cards for your Delta Dental PPO. Eligibility for you, and eligible dependents, will be confirmed by your dental office using your social security number and birthdate. You may also need to provide your dentist with your Delta Dental PPO group number which you can obtain from University Personnel by calling 408-924-2250.

    Deltacare USA HMO 

    You will receive an identification card and an Evidence of Coverage (EOC) booklet describing your benefits. You can make an appointment once you have received confirmation of your enrollment. You may change contract dentists by notifying Delta Care USA by calling 800-422-4234. DeltaCare USA must receive the DeltaCare USA enrollment materials and/or contract dentist change request by the 21st day of the month for coverage to be effective the 1st day of the following month.

    Vision Plan (VSP)

    You will not receive insurance cards for your vision plan. Eligibility for you, and eligible dependents will be confirmed by your VSP provider using you social security number and birth date.

• What is the name of our vision plan and what plan information is required for services?

  • Vision Service Provider (VSP). No identification cards are issued for the plan. Employee's Social Security Number is used to confirm eligibility for employee and dependents. By registering at VSP, employees may check benefit eligibility, look up providers, print forms and more.

• How can I find out what benefits my family and I are enrolled in and if University Personnel has my correct address as well as emergency contact information?

  • Benefits Information

    1. Sign into your SJSU @ Work
    2. Go to Self Service (select self service)
    3. Go to Benefits
    4. Select the link "Benefits Summary" (this will take a few moments to load)
    5. When your benefits summary is loaded, you may select each benefit to show the dependents

    Personal Information

    1. Sign into your MySJSU
    2. Select Campus Personal Information
    3. Review Emergency Contact Information, address, name etc.

    If you find a discrepancy, please contact University Personnel at (408) 924-2250.

• Am I able to change health/dental plans?

  • Employees are able to switch health and dental plans during the annual open enrollment period (normally during the months of September/October). Employees will be notified through campus announcements when open enrollment begins and ends. All changes made during open enrollment are effective January 1st of the following year.

• I am resigning or my appointment expires at the end of the month. How long will my coverage be in effect?

  • Coverage is usually effective through the end of the following month in which you resign or the appointment ends. If you work a few days into a pay period, the State Controller's Office will deduct any required premiums as long as there is enough net pay to cover that premium.

• Can I continue my health benefits if I resign or when my appointment expires?

  • Yes. COBRA Continuation Coverage provides you the option of continuing your medical, dental and/or vision plans for up to 18 months (or longer in some cases). You would be responsible for paying the entire premium amount to the carriers, plus a 2% administrative fee. The provisions of COBRA also apply to dependents who lose coverage. Please contact University Personnel for further information.

• When are health care premiums deducted from my pay warrant?

  • Your premium for health benefits are paid in advance of the pay period for which you receive the benefit. For example, health plan coverage for the month of August will be deducted from your July pay warrant.

• What if my time base drops below the minimum requirement?

  • If at anytime your appointment falls below the minimum time base requirements, benefits will automatically be cancelled.  When you meet the eligibility requirements at a future date, you will need to re-enroll into benefits within 60 days of being eligible in order to have benefits.  You will not be automatically re-enrolled. 

• How can I sign up for a TSA (Tax Shelter Annuity Deduction) and or 401k and 457 plan?

  • You can designate a deduction amount by visiting My Retirement Manager. For more information regarding TSA, visit the CalState Systemwide Portal. To sign up for the 401(K) and/or 457 plan visit the Savings Plus website.

Quick Steps

• New Hire/Newly Eligible Benefits Enrollment

Tutorials

• Life Events Benefits Enrollment [pdf]
• Open Enrollment Dental Elections [pdf]