Insurance Programs
Contact Us
HR Compensation and Benefits
Telephone: 713-221-8060
compandben@uhd.edu
University of Houston-Downtown faculty and staff benefit from a comprehensive choice of insurance plans including medical, vision, dental, life, disability, supplemental, gap, and FSA. This page offers the basics on each of the offerings. For a more thorough breakdown of insurance options as well as other benefits the university provides, please visit the Employee Benefits Overview:
View the Employee Benefits Overview
Health
UHD offers two health plan options to fit your needs: Blue Cross Blue Shield's HealthSelectSM of Texas and Consumer Directed HealthSelectSM. Learn more about each insurance plan, rates, prescriptions, and COBRA coverage on our ERS provider's website.
Health Insurance Opt-Out Credit
If you are an employee with comparable health coverage through another employer's plan, you may waive your health insurance benefits. By doing so, you earn up to a $60 (full-time) or $30 (part-time) credit that can be applied to your dental, vision, and AD&D premium payment. To opt-out of health coverage, evidence of Insurability is required.
Tobacco User
The monthly Tobacco User Fee is $30 per person, up to a maximum of $90 for covered dependents. Members who do not certify their tobacco‐use status will be charged a monthly tobacco user premium—even if they don't use tobacco. View Tobacco Policy FAQs for more information.
Catapult
Employees can now schedule a virtual annual preventive exam through the Catapult Health VirtualCheckup® program, which doesn't require any co-pay or out-of-pocket spending.
Flexible Spending Account
A TexFlexSM flexible spending account (FSA) lets you set aside money from your paycheck, pre-tax, to use for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. For more information on UHD's Dependent Care, Health Care, Health Savings Account and Limited Flexible Spending Accounts, see the information document.
Visit the TexFlex site to learn more about your flexible spending account options.
Vision
UHD offers employees State of Texas Vision benefits through EyeMed. These benefits include eye exams and prescription eyewear (frame, lenses, contact lenses). To learn more visit the State of Texas Vision website.
Vision benefits through health providers
If you are enrolled in HealthSelectSM of Texas, Consumer Directed HealthSelectSM and need vision care for eye disease or trauma, contact your health insurance provider. Some health plans provide discounts on vision products and services, including frames, lenses, and contacts.
Discounts cannot be combined with State of Texas Vision Plan discounts and services.
Dental
DeltaCare USA (DHMO Plan)
Delta Dental provides coverage through a network of participating dentists. When using this plan, you must select a primary care dentist and obtain services from that dentist. There is no deductible with this plan and your out-of-pocket expense is based on the schedule of benefits and the services you receive. Visit DeltaCare USA DHMO website for more information.
The State of Texas Dental Choice (PPO Plan)
This the state's preferred provider organization (PPO) plan administered by Delta Dental. It does not restrict your choice of dentists and can be used anywhere in the U.S. The maximum annual benefit for this plan is $2,000. Visit the State of Texas Dental Choice PPO Plan website for more information.
Life
At UHD, you have several life insurance and accident and dismemberment coverage options available. Learn more about Optional Term Life, Dependent Term Life, and Voluntary Accident and Dismemberment coverage. For more information, visit the Life Insurance section of the Employee Benefits Overview.
Disability
Texas Income Protection Plan (TIPP)
Short-term disability insurance, administered by ReedGroup, provides protection from loss of income after a waiting period of 30 consecutive days due to a disability resulting from an accident or illness. It pays pays a monthly payment equal to 66% of your gross monthly salary (up to $10,000 of salary or $6,600 in benefits) for up to five months.
Long-term disability insurance provides protection from loss of income during extended absences due to a total disability resulting from an accident or illness. A waiting period of 180 consecutive days must occur before disability benefits become payable. Long-term disability payments are equal to 60% of your gross monthly salary (up to $10,000 of salary or $6,000 in benefits). For the first 24 months, benefits are based on a disability from a specific job. After 24 months, they are based on approval of Social Security and a disability from any job.
If you have both short-term and long-term disability coverage and become disabled, benefits pay out at 70%. To receive a monthly benefit from either the short-term or long-term disability plan, you must meet the definition of total disability. Benefits are reduced by income received from other sources, such as Social Security, workers' compensation or disability retirement plan benefits. Benefits only pay out when all accumulated University Paid Sick Leave is exhausted.
Pre-existing condition exclusions apply to both short-term and long-term disability. Visit Texas Income Protection Plan for more information.
Supplemental Insurance
Aflac offers UHD benefits-eligible employees optional benefits plans that pays cash directly to you when sick or injured. These payments help cover expenses your health plan does not pay. Plans are supplemental benefits and premiums may be paid through payroll deduction.
Aflac products include:
- Accident
- Critical Illness
- Hospital Protection Plans
The cost of each Aflac product is your responsibility and will not be supplemented by UHD or UHS.
Review the AFLAC Flyer for more information or make an appointments by either calling (281) 841-6694 or emailing Gustavo, our Aflac representative, at gustavo_gevara@us.aflac.com.
Gap Insurance
If you are a new benefits-eligible UHD faculty or staff member, the Gap Insurance Program is available for those without insurance coverage during the new employee 60-day health insurance waiting period.
The Gap Insurance Program reimburses employees up to $500 per month for the cost to purchase individual coverage. Coverage may be available through COBRA (from the previous employer) or a company that provides individual, short-term "Gap" medical insurance.
It is your responsibility to purchase "Gap" medical insurance and submit proof of coverage directly to HR's Benefits team. A receipt or statement from the insurance company is required prior to reimbursement processing and should include the name and address of the company, the monthly premium, the amount paid, and the period covered by the payment.