Academic Researcher Health Benefits

Basic information

  1. All UC Academic Researchers, their spouse/partner and dependents are eligible to enroll in the UC Health Plans, which include medical, dental and vision coverage, short- term disability coverage, and life and AD&D insurance.
  2. You must enroll within 31 days of your hire date or another qualifying event to avoid a delay in coverage. Click here for instructions on how to enroll.
  3. If you have any questions about enrolling in benefits, contact uaw5810@uaw5810.org or your department’s benefits administrator.

Making Plan Choices: Medical, Dental, Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance

Medical Plan Choices

You can choose between various medical plans — click here for a summary of the benefits included in each plan and the differences between HMO and PPO plans. Click here the monthly premium costs for each plan.

Dental Plan Choices

Vision, Short- and Long-Term Disability, Life and AD&D Insurance

  • Vision Benefits: For employees with full benefits, you can elect to enroll in the Vision Plan at no extra cost.
  • Short- and Long-Term Disability Coverage:
      • Basic Coverage: When you are first hired as an Academic Researcher, you are automatically enrolled in the University’s Basic Disability plan, which provides up to 55 percent of your eligible monthly earnings, to a maximum benefit of $800 per month for up to six months.
      • Voluntary Short-Term Coverage: For an extra cost, you can enroll in Voluntary Short-Term Disability coverage, which provides up to 60 percent of your eligible earnings, to a maximum benefit of $15,000 per month.
      • Long-Term Coverage: For an extra cost you can enroll in Long-Term Disability coverage, which continues after Short-Term Coverage ends
        For more info on Disability plans and to estimate your premium costs should you choose to enroll in Voluntary Short- or Long-Term Disability, click here.
  • Life and AD&D Insurance: If you are eligible for Full benefits you are automatically enrolled in Basic Life insurance at no cost. If you are eligible for mid-level or core benefits are automatically enrolled in Core Life insurance at no cost. More details on these plans and supplemental plans are available here. Information on Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance is here and plan rates are here.

Using Your Benefits

Within a few weeks of enrolling you will receive your insurance cards in the mail. Even if you haven’t received your cards, your coverage starts on your appointment date. If you need to use your benefits before your cards arrive, contact your benefits plan for assistance.

HMO Plans: If you select the Medical or Dental HMO plan, for treatment you must first see your Primary Care Provider, who acts as a gatekeeper for all of your care. Typical procedures tend to be less expensive than the PPO plans.  Except for emergencies, you can only see doctors or dentists that are included in the plan (also known as in-network), and you must obtain a referral from your PCP prior to any type of consultation or treatment with a specialist.

PPO Plans: These offer more flexibility in provider choice than HMO plans but costs can be higher. Under these plans, there is no need to be assigned a Primary Care Provider and you may see both in-network and out-of-network providers without a referral.

Additional Benefits

Problems/Questions Regarding Your Benefits?

If you have any problems with your benefits or questions, contact uaw5810@uaw5810.org or 510-845-5726