Oklahoma Baptist University offers its employees a benefit package intended to provide financial protection against catastrophic illness or injury and an opportunity to accumulate assets for retirement.

As authorized by Sections 125 of the Internal Revenue code, health and dental premiums, retirement, medical reimbursement, and dependent care account deductions are made before taxes are applied, reducing taxable income and increasing take-home pay.

The costs of providing benefits are increasing; however the University wishes to continue to offer its employees a cost-effective benefits program.

HEALTH INSURANCE

OBU offers its eligible employees and retirees a choice of two PPO plans provided by HighMark Blue Cross and Blue Shield through GuideStone Financial Resources:

HealthChoice 1000 or 500
Provider Directory

Highlights of the Plans

• Health Choice 1000
• Health Choice 500
• $1000 or $500 annual deductible per covered person
• Prescription drug card through Medco
• Unlimited lifetime maximum

Continuation of health and dental insurance for non-active employees
When certain "qualifying events" occur, non-active employees may be able to continue health and dental insurance coverage by paying the required monthly premium.  For additional information contact the Human Resources Office.

Health Plan enrollment
If you wish to participate in the group health insurance coverage provided by the University, you must enroll within 30 days of employment.  If you fail to enroll within the first 30 days of employment, your next opportunity will be the annual enrollment period for coverage to become effective the following January 1.  Health plan enrollment is often completed in the Human Resources Office on the first day of employment; however you may complete the enrollment form online, then print and submit to HR.

Changing coverage
You may drop or change your coverage during the annual enrollment period. If you experience an IRS approved change in family status, changes may be made at other times during the plan year.

For more information, visit the Human Resource Department forms/download page.

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DENTAL PLUS

Highlights of the plan:

• $100 annual deductible per covered person
  • (Family deductible: no more than 3 family members under one family coverage must satisfy their deductible in one benefit period)
• $0 deductible for diagnostic and preventive services
• $1000 annual maximum except for
  • $1000 lifetime maximum per dependent child for orthodontic services
• Diagnostic and preventive services
  • 100% of usual, customary, and reasonable (UCR) charge (no deductible)
  • includes routine oral exam and cleaning, once per 6 months
• Primary services 80% of UCR after deductible
  • includes maintenance services such as fillings, recementing crowns or bridges, oral surgical procedures such as simple extractions, and diagnosis and treatment of gum disease
• Prosthetic and complex restorative services 50% of UCR after deductible
  • crowns, veneers, dentures, periodontics, and endodontics
• Orthodontic services 50% of UCR after deductible
  • $1000 lifetime maximum

Dental Plus has a provider network intended to reduce your out of pocket expenses.  Dentists in the network have agreed to accept the UCR charges.  If you use an in-network dentist you will not be billed any amount over the UCR charge.

Dental Plus provider directory

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LIFE INSURANCE

Group Life
As a regular employee of OBU, you are covered by a life insurance policies at no cost to you.

Unum through GuideStone Financial Resources
Through GuideStone, you have coverage valued at 1.5 x your annual salary rounded up to the next $1,000 (if not already a multiple of 1,000).

The current life insurance policy also provides accidental death and dismemberment valued at 1x your annual salary.

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LONG TERM DISABILITY PLAN

The long term disability plan provides you continuing income (up to 60% of lost monthly income) if you are unable to work for at least 90 days because of serious illness or injury.  The cost of the plan is determined by salary.  Premiums are paid by the University.

Hartford LTD certificate

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RETIREMENT

As a regular employee of OBU working at least 1040 hours per year in a benefits-eligible position, the University contributes an amount equal to 6% of your annual salary to a retirement account.  The employee decides to establish this account with GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention or TIAA-CREF.  The University contribution is non-matched, however employees may also contribute pre-tax income to their retirement accounts through the use of a salary reduction agreement.

GuideStone Financial Resources

TIAA-CREF

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FLEXIBLE SPENDING (Section 125) ACCOUNTS

Medical Dental reimbursement account
Employees may make pre-tax contributions to a medical spending account to pay for qualified medical expenses that are not covered by medical or dental insurance.  Employees choosing to establish such accounts must plan carefully: money not used in the account at the end of the calendar year will be forfeited.

If you wish to participate in this program, you must enroll during your first 30 days of employment, during the annual benefits enrollment period, or when you experience an IRS approved change in family status.  The enrollment form may be completed online, printed and submitted to Human Resources.  You must enroll annually for this program.

Flexible Spending (Section 125) Account enrollment form

Reimbursement
You may request reimbursement for qualified medical expenses.  You may complete the reimbursement form online, print, sign, and submit to Human Resources.  Be sure to attach documentation (receipts or Explanation of Health Benefits) when requesting reimbursement.

Eligible medical expenses
Medical Dental reimbursement form

Protected Health Information (PHI)
The Human Resources Office has established policies concerning the use and disclosure of your protected health information (PHI) in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).  For more details, review the OBU HIPAA policy.

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Dependent Care reimbursement account
Employees may pay for work-related dependent care expenses with before-tax dollars by allowing pre-tax contributions to a flexible spending account.  Employees choosing to establish such accounts must plan carefully: money not used in the account at the end of the calendar year will be forfeited.

If you wish to participate in this program, you must enroll during your first 30 days of employment, during the annual benefits enrollment period, or when you experience an IRS approved change in family status.  The enrollment form may be completed online, printed and submitted to Human Resources.  You must enroll annually for this program.

Eligible dependent care expenses

Reimbursement
You may request reimbursement for qualified dependent care expenses.  You may complete the reimbursement form online, print, sign, and submit to Human Resources.  Attach receipts when requesting reimbursement.

Dependent care reimbursement form
Flexible Spending (Section 125) Account planning worksheet
Flexible Spending (Section 125) Account enrollment form

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PAID TIME OFF

The University recognizes the benefit employees derive  from time away from work and, when possible, provides its employees with compensation for that time through vacation leave, sick leave, and holiday pay.

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Vacation leave
This leave may be used for vacations and other absences as long as the absence is approved by the supervisor.  Effective August 1, 2005, vacation leave must be used within the fiscal year given - there will be no carryover of vacation leave from one fiscal year to the next nor is there a payout of vacation leave upon termination.

Vacation leave is given according the following table:
 

Effective August 1, 2005, each employee is also given 1 day off for his or her birthday.

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Sick leave
All employees, except faculty, receive 8 hours of sick leave per month.  Sick leave is to be used for personal illness or doctor's appointments.  Six days per year may be used for personal illness or doctor's appointment for immediate family members. The accumulation limit for sick leave in 720 hours.

Faculty absences due to illness are covered in the Faculty Handbook.

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Holidays
The University observes the following paid holidays each year:
    Labor Day
    New Year's Day
    Spring Break - one day (varies, normally mid March)
    Memorial Day (2 days)
    Independence Day
    Thanksgiving Day (and the following Friday)
    Christmas Eve & Day

Additional days may be granted at the discretion of the President. The holiday schedule is published at the beginning of the fiscal year.

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EDUCATION BENEFIT

Full-time employees may take 2 courses per academic year tuition free. Employees will be limited to five hours of course work per week during normal work hours (typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

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WORKERS COMPENSATION

All employees are covered by state workers' compensation laws which may provide medical and income benefits if you are injured on the job. 

Procedures
If you suffer an injury while performing your job duties, you must immediately report the injury to your supervisor and complete an Accident or Injury Report.  Supervisors will follow the instructions in the Worker's Compensation Policy and complete the Workers' Compensation Court Form 2.

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Other services and benefits
Wellness program
Free general admission tickets to OBU Basketball games
Parking
Noble Complex
Book Store
Mabee Learning Center