Policy Statement:

Postdoctoral Fellows, spouses and their dependent children are eligible for enrollment in a university sponsored health plan. The hiring department initiates application for enrollment and processing of payment.

Purpose:

To ensure that Postdoctoral Fellows, spouses and their dependent children have timely access to and coverage for medical care while pursuing approved studies.

Procedure:

Postdoctoral Fellow:

1. Complete the appropriate information on the Postdoctoral Fellow Insurance Plan Enrollment form (do not use SS#)
   http://www.umass.edu/research/postdoc/PostDocEnrollmentForm07-08.pdf
    
2. Submit the form to your Principal Investigator, Dept. Bookkeeper.
    
3. P.O. - Gallagher Koster Insurance Agency - Vendor #0000061639 - Object #734140.
   Description should read: Health Insurance Premium, name of Post Doc, ID#, effective dates of policy, same for spouse, children. Research Affairs will process all billing with Gallagher Koster.
   
   If paying personally, send copy of form & check (payable to University of Massachusetts) to:
    Bev Strakose, Office of Research Affairs, Research Administration Building.

PI/Departmental Responsibility:

1. Complete the Funding Department Information:

   (a) Department Contact - Person completing this form, email & phone.

   (b) Department name – The home department where the Postdoctoral Fellow is funded.

   (c) P. O. # - The purchase order number obtained from procurement for the dollar amount of the premium.

   (d) Speed Type Number & Project Grant # – Account from which the funds are to be drawn for payment of the premium

   (e) Premium Calculation –

   • Monthly Premium – The rate for the Postdoctoral Fellow are outlined on the enrollment form. Coverage for just a spouse or child (if wanted) must be added to the single rate, $182.00 + $454.00 and/or $327.00.
      
   • Number of Months- The plan has an ending date of August 31. Funding from grants may have a variety of start dates. Determine the number of months from the beginning of the grant through and including August (unless the grant ends before August 31). For example: a Postdoc starting in September will be covered for September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July and August, this represents 12 months.
      
   • Total Premium – Multiply the monthly premium by the number of months (this amount should equal the amount authorized for the P.O.)

   (f) Effective Date of Postdoctoral Appointment – The start of medical coverage in most cases will coincide with the effective date of the Postdoctoral Appointment, coverage must be maintained continuously. Deviations from this should be the exception and noted on the enrollment form.

   (g) Effective dates of Policy – Type in beginning date and ending date that you want the policy to be for, even if this P.O. is only for certain dates (some grants will end before 8/31/08, therefore you will be having an additional P.O.)

   (h) Authorizing Signature and Date – This will usually be the Principle Investigator of the grant funding the Postdoctoral Fellow. This person must have authorizing authority for disbursement of funds.

   (i) Retain the original enrollment form for your files.

   (j) Submit completed form to Bev Strakose, Research Administration Building, fax 7-1728

   Supporting, documentation, forms, appendices:

1. University of Massachusetts Amherst Postdoctoral Fellow Insurance Plan Enrollment Form
2. Also, here is the website for Gallagher Koster. For the UMASS page, just choose UMass Post docs from the drop down menu: http://www.kosterweb.com/students/index.php