Archive: June 2001

Health and Welfare Benefits
By Steve Kaplan, UniServe Field Organizer

Your medical and dental coverage is important. This article will highlight some contract provisions relative to your benefits that you may not know.

(9.1.4.3) Benefit coverage usually expires at the conclusion of the month following your last day in paid status. For example, if you take an unpaid leave starting November 27, your benefits would expire at the end of December. There is a key exception. If your last day is in June or July, your benefits are maintained through September 30. So, employees leaving the district, for any reason, at the conclusion of this school year have fully paid benefits until September 30, 2001.

(9.1.5) Benefit coverage for new dependents, such as a new spouse or child, does not occur automatically. You have 31 days from the date on which they become eligible (marriage or birth) to enroll them as a new dependent. If you fail to do so, they will not be covered under your benefits and cannot be added until the next open enrollment period.

(9.2.1) Medical benefits are offered solely through the San Diego County Schools Voluntary Employee benefits Association (VEBA). VEBA is a joint trust providing equal management in all decisions to management and labor. VEBA manages benefits for a majority of school districts in San Diego County.

(9.9) Flexible Spending Accounts are established in accordance with
Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code. This account enables you to
annually set aside money for your medical care ($2000) and for care of your dependents ($5000). The money, set aside through payroll deduction, is not subject to income tax. If you are not currently participating, you must wait for the next open enrollment period. Be sure to read the information provided at that time very carefully before making any decision.