Frequently Asked Benefits Questions
- General Questions
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- What to do if you are injured at work
- Tuition Waiver
- Employment Application Process
General Questions
Q: How can I request extra ID cards?
A: ID cards can be requested by calling the appropriate toll-free number listed below:
- BC/BS 1-800-258-8000
- MESSA 1-888-888-4167
- HealthPlus 1-800-332-9161
Q: Who do I call if a claim is rejected or if I haven’t received a response on a claim?
A: Contact the appropriate provider number listed above. Be sure to have your contract number, date and type of service, provider’s name, and the charge for each service.
Q: Why does my dental coverage keep getting rejected?
A: Be sure the dentist uses the appropriate dental contract number. If with BC/BS the contract number is a 999--------- number, be sure not to give them your social security number. If the dentist used your ss#, then they must resubmitted with the correct 999# that is on your dental card.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Q: Do I have to participate in both accounts or can I participate in just one?
A:You may choose to participate in only one or both of them.
Q: How do I check my Flexible Spending Account status?
A:Your Flexible Spending Account balance will be printed on your paycheck stub, which you receive on every other Friday.
Q: Do I have to re-enroll every year for my Flexible Spending Account?
A:Yes, you need to re-enroll every year to keep your Flexible Spending Account active.
Q: How do I receive reimbursement for my expenses?
A: Reimbursements will be paid on each Friday of off-payroll weeks. A Request for Reimbursement Form (available in the Human Resources office) must be submitted along with proper documentation by Monday in order to receive reimbursement on the following Friday. Employees can pick up their reimbursement checks at the Cashier's Office.
To receive reimbursement for health care expenses, you must submit the expenses to appropriate insurance carriers before being reimbursed through your Flexible Spending Account. Simply present a copy of the explanation of benefits received for a medical, dental, or vision claim along with a Request for Reimbursement Form. In the event an eligible expense is paid and insurance is not involved, an itemized bill along with a paid receipt must be submitted with the Request for Reimbursement Form.
To receive reimbursement for dependent care expenses, you must submit a Dependent Care Provider invoice along with a Request for Reimbursement Form. Reimbursements will be paid up to the amount in the employee's account.
Q: Once I submit a claim, how long does it take to receive reimbursement?
A: A Request for Reimbursement Form (available in the Human Resources office) must be submitted along with proper documentation by Monday in order to receive reimbursement on the following Friday. Employees can pick up their reimbursement checks at the Cashier's Office.
Q: What happens if my funds aren't used up by the end of the year?
A: You should carefully determine how much you want to set aside in the coming year for these expenses because Internal Revenue Service rules mandate that any funds left in your account 90 days after the end of the plan year must be forfeited.
Q: I am a part-time employee. Am I eligible to sign up for a Flexible Spending Account?
A: No, part-time employees are not eligible for Flexible Spending Accounts.
What to do if you are injured at work
- Report the injury to your supervisor immediately.
- Your supervisor or a representative from the Employment and Compensation Services office will send you to an approved workers' compensation medical facility if you need medical treatment. For SVSU employees, the approved facility is Covenant Occupational Health Services (Covenant Health Care, 600 Irving, Saginaw). In the event of a medical emergency, call Saginaw Central Dispatch by dialing 9-911 from on campus and 911 from off campus. If an ambulance is required, contact University Police and inform them of the building/department to which the ambulance is being sent.
- Your supervisor should contact University Police to initiate an Incident Report. A written report must be prepared by University Police or the supervisor.
- Even if an injury seems minor and does not require medical treatment, report it! If medical treatment becomes necessary at a later date, there will be a record of the injury.
- You must be referred to the SVSU approved physician/medical provider during the first 10 days. Please remember that if you seek medical treatment from your own physician or a non-approved medical provider, you may be held responsible for any and all of those expenses. If you have a question regarding where to get medical treatment, please call Human Resources at 964-7100 or 790-4108 before you seek medical treatment.
- Following each visit to the physician, you must contact the Human Resources office in person or by phone to discuss the medical directives of the physician.
- If you require prescription medications for a work-related injury or illness, you must contact the Employment and Compensation Services office to obtain your workers' compensation claim number and the address for The Accident Fund. Upon receiving your claim number, your pharmacist should directly bill The Accident Fund.
- The Accident Fund is the third party administrator for SVSU workers' compensation claims. They will determine whether or not to accept your injury as work related under the Workers' Compensation Act. They may contact you either by mail or phone if they need additional information regarding your claim.
- Contact the Human Resources office any time your situation changes due to your condition worsening, a change in work status, or a change in doctor's appointment.
Please contact the Human Resources office at any time if you have any questions or concerns regarding an injury or workers' compensation claim.
Tuition Waiver
Q: If I want to take a class, when must I sign up for Tuition Waiver?
A: The application must be submitted prior to the beginning of the semester in which the employee wants to enroll.
Q: Do I need permission from my Department to take a course?
A: Your supervisor does not need to give you permission to use the Tuition Waiver program. But you still need to fill out the Tuition Waiver form, which is located at the Human Resources Office in order to receive your reimbursement.
Q: What if the course I want to take is only offered during working hours?
A: According to the Support Staff Association Contract, work schedules may be adjusted to allow employees to take classes during normal working hours only if written permission is received from the appropriate Vice President. This permission includes an agreement to make up hours or utilize paid or unpaid leave time. Administrative/Professional employees must also have approval from his/her superior to take classes during working hours.
Q: Are part-time employees eligible for the Tuition Waiver program?
A: Yes, part-time employees regularly scheduled to work twenty (20) hours or more a week are eligible for the same Tuition Waiver benefits as full-time employees.
Q: How long does it take for me to receive my reimbursement money?
A: You see the tuition deduction in the beginning of the Tuition Waiver process. Initially you fill out the Tuition Waiver form, which is located at the Human Resources office. The form is sent to the Financial Aid Office for their records. After you receive your tuition bill, you take it to the Financial Aid Office to have it discounted.
Q: Is Tuition Waiver available for graduate courses?
A: Yes, tuition waiver is available for Saginaw Valley State University graduate courses.
Q: How many credits am I allowed to take and still qualify for Tuition Waiver?
A: The University does not have a limit on the amount of credits required in order to receive Tuition Waiver benefits.