| If you are on an approved leave, you may be eligible for benefits continuation, Call the HR/Payroll Service Center immediately for information at 5-2000 from the Ann Arbor campus, 734 615-2000 off campus, or call toll free 1-866-647-7657, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All leave of absence premiums are due on the first of the month for that month's coverage (i.e., premium for the coverage period of June 1st through June 30th is due on June 1st.) Any late or partial payments will be processed and refunded.
Military Leave
University of Michigan faculty and staff members in the Armed Forces Reserves or
National Guard who are called to active duty are placed on
Military Service Leave. For more information, view the
Military Service Leave section.
FMLA
The
University supports leaves of absence under the Family Medical
Leave Act (FMLA). FMLA leaves are available to all faculty
and staff members.
If
you meet the criteria, you are entitled to receive University
contributions toward medical and dental premiums for up
to 12 weeks in a 12-month period. The 12 weeks will be offset
by any sick leave used prior to the FMLA leave. The 12-month
period renews on the same date as your short-term sick leave.
The
criteria are:
- You
must have worked at least 12 months (which do not have to be consecutive)
for the Univesity; and you have worked at least 1,250 hours during the
12 months immediately before the date FMLA leave begins.
If a faculty or staff member is maintained on the payroll for
any part of a week, including any periods of paid or unpaid leave
(sick, vacation) during which other benefits or compensation are provided
by the University (e.g., workers' compensation, group health plan benefits, etc.),
the week counts as a week of employment.
The 1,250 hour requirement does pertain to the immediate prior 12 month
period. Whether a faculty or staff member has worked the minimum 1,250 hours
of service is determined according to the principles established under the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA) for determining compensable hours of work.
- Your
leave of absence must be approved, and provided for under
the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The FMLA legislation
provides for three types of leave: Personal Medical, Child
Care, and Family Medical.
When you are ready to schedule an FMLA leave, contact
Work~Connections.
Call 734 615-0643, or toll-free 877 869-5266.
Seasonal
Leave of Absence
If
you are placed on a seasonal leave of absence, University
contributions toward your benefits will continue during
your leave provided:
- You
had at least a 75% appointment prior to the leave (AFSCME
members need only a 50% appointment);
- Your
union contract provides for it; and
- You
continue paying for the faculty or staff member contribution.
Sabbaticals
or Scholarly Activity Leaves
During
your Sabbatical or Scholarly Activity Leave, your benefits
will continue the same as when you are a regular, active
staff member, as long as you continue to receive a salary.
If
you are on a Scholarly Activity Leave without a salary,
your University contributions toward the cost of your benefits
will continue. However, you will be responsible for making
arrangements to pay the cost. Contact the Benefits Office
for more information.
If
you are enrolled in a managed care plan and will be moving out of the service area during your Sabbatical or Scholarly Activity
Leave, you may want to consider changing your medical plan.
See "Moving Out of a Managed Care Service
Area" for more information. Medical plan providers reserve the right to deny claims and terminate coverage if you move out of the service area for six months or more.
Benefits
Coverage During a Leave of Absence
If you are placed on a leave of absence, you must notify
the benefits Office prior to or immediately after the date
your leave begins. This is to your advantage as the timing
is critical if you want to maintain your benefits coverage.
If
you contact the Benefits Office in time to pay the premiums
on your benefits before the 20th of the month in which your
coverage is scheduled to end, and you agree to pay the premiums, you can continue your medical insurance, prescription drug coverage,
dental coverage, Expanded Long-Term Disability, group life insurance,
Long-Term Care insurance, Group Legal coverage, and Health Care
Flexible Spending account
for the duration of your leave.
Returning
From a Leave
when you return from a leave of absence or layoff to
an appointment eligible for benefits, contact the
HR/Payroll Service Center to have your benefits reinstated.
Any
change in dependent status that occurred during the leave
or layoff must be reported:
- Within
30 days of your return if you did not continue
your benefits during your leave; or
- Within
30 days of the event if you did continue your benefits
during your leave.
If
you continue your benefits through the University during
a leave, and you do not return to the university at the
end of your leave, you will be offered COBRA for your medical
insurance, dental plan, prescription drug plan, and health
care flexible spending account. Under COBRA, you may continue
these benefits at your own expense for up to 18 months.
Paying
for Your Benefits |
