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Adjunct Faculty Group Benefits
HROG Section:Work/Life Benefits
Document Title:Adjunct Faculty Group Benefit Program 
Initial Date Posted:Sept.1, 2004
Applies To:Adjunct Faculty
Source:District Human Resources
Background:Effective on September 1, 2004, changes in State Law have made it possible for the DCCCD to offer adjunct faculty members, meeting a specified set of eligibility requirements, the opportunity to participate in the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program which is administered by the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS).
Eligibility:

Initially two requirements must be met to become eligible to participate in the Group Benefits Program (GBP):

1.  All adjunct faculty members who have been employed by DCCCD to teach at least one course in each regular fall and spring semester for the preceding three academic years are eligible.

    • If the adjunct faculty member elects benefits, coverage begins September 1.
    • If coverage is declined at this time and a decision to enroll is made during open enrollment (July-August), there will be a 90-day waiting period before health coverage begins, while all other optional benefits are effective immediately. In addition, ERS eligibility guidelines in effect at the time of enrollment must be met.

2.  All adjunct faculty must be scheduled to teach a minimum of 12 semester credit hours in an academic year of coverage (September 1 through August 31) and are subject to the 90-day waiting period before health coverage begins, while all other benefits become effective upon enrollment.

To retain eligibility for coverage the adjunct faculty member must be scheduled to teach at least 12 semester credit hours in the academic year of coverage (September 1 through August 31). Continuing Education classes, clock hour classes and/or non-appointed (contracted) classified employment does not count toward eligibility.

Eligible Coverage:

  • Health Select medical with $5,000 basic term life and the opportunity to add dependents (evidence of insurability may be required--with no State funding).
  • Dental and the opportunity to add dependents.
  • Optional Term Life, Election I, II, III or IV (evidence of insurability may be required)
  • Dependent Term Life for $5,000.00 of life insurance coverage (evidence of insurability may be required)
  • TEXFLEX Reimbursement Accounts
  • Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Short-term Disability (evidence of insurability may be required)
  • Long-term Disability (evidence of insurability may be required) 
  • SKIP (State Kids Insurance Program)
  • Long-term Care (handled as a direct pay item no payroll deduction available)
Procedures:Enrollment
Once the employee enrolls in the GBP, the individual must remain in the program for the remainder of the academic year, unless there is a major life event. If an employee declines coverage he/she is not eligible to enroll prior to the next open enrollment period (August of each year), unless there is a major life event. (Major life events are defined by the Federal Government and include birth of child, divorce, etc. and evidence of insurability may be required.)

Premiums

The adjunct faculty member is responsible for all premiums, for all employee and/or dependent coverage. Monthly statements will not be sent out and premiums are collected through payroll deduction.  Coverage amounts and premiums for Optional Term Life, Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability will be based on teaching 12-credit hours per academic year. Premiums and coverage options are subject to change at ERS discretion.

If a monthly payroll check amount is less than the monthly premium payment required, the employee is responsible for paying the difference from other funds. Such exceptional processing will require that such personal payments be received by the College Human Resources Office no later than noon on the last working day of the month. Failure to remit payment for benefit coverage will result in immediate cancellation of coverage. Once canceled, coverage are not able to be reinstated until future open enrollment periods and then with additional considerations of ERS rules and evidence of insurability requirements.

Loss of Coverage

Adjunct faculty GBP coverage will terminate under the following circumstances:

1) at the end of the academic year, unless the employee is scheduled to teach 12- semester credit hours the following year;


2) if employment with DCCCD is terminated for any reason; or


3) if DCCCD terminates coverage due to nonpayment of premiums.

If coverage terminates the adjunct faculty member will receive notification from ERS of their rights for continuing coverage, under federal COBRA law.

Disclaimer: ERS rules and regulations governing the group benefit plan are subject to change. Guidelines provided above are based on rules provided to DCCCD on September 1, 2004. In the event of discrepancies between the Dallas County Community Colleges guidelines and ERS rules, ERS rules prevail.
Related Links:Adjunct Premiums 2008-2009 - pdf 45kb

Employers Retirement System