Frequently Asked Questions
- As a Postdoc Paid Direct/Fellow, I pay the premiums for my own medical insurance. I would like to opt out of medical and just pay for the dental and optical insurance. Is that possible?
Yes. You may elect any insurance you would like to have. If you do not want insurance, complete a form on the Garnett-Powers website and check the "opt-out" boxes in Section 3a. Submit to the benefits office.
- How do I select or change my Primary Care Physician with Health Net?
When you first enroll, you will be automatically assigned to a Primary Care Physician by HealthNet. This doctor is listed on the new insurance card you receive. You can call HealthNet at 800-522-0088 to change doctors at any time. Be sure to ask what date the doctor change is effective. You may request a different Primary Care Physician for each family member.
Once you get the doctor you want, we suggest that you call for an initial appointment right away. You can anticipate the first appointment may take more than a month for you to be seen. Once you are an established patient, you should be able to see your doctor sooner than your initial visit.
- If I have Health Net HMO under the faculty/staff program now and switch to the Postdoctoral Scholar Health Net HMO coverage, will the change be transparent?
Basically, yes. You will be able to keep the same doctor, although, you will be issued new Health Net identification cards. You should double check your new card to make sure your same doctor is showing as your Primary Care Physician. You should also notify your doctor's office of the new plan coverage and show them your new id card since you will have a new group #.
- I am a postdoc on a non-immigrant visa and my wife and child will be coming to the U.S. later in the year. Must I add them to the benefits plan now or can I add them effective with the date they arrive?
You have 31 days from the date they arrive to add them to your benefits. Complete an enrollment form on the Garnett-Powers website and deliver to the UCSB Postdoc benefits rep. The effective date of their coverage is the date they arrive in America.
- My spouse and child do not have a Social Security #, can I still enroll online?
Yes, for your spouse, you can enter all zeros. You do not have to enter a Social Security # for your children.
- Is
all medical care covered?
Please refer to the plan details at the Garnett-Powers website. For example, certain elective procedures, such as cosmetic surgery, are not covered.
- Are pre-existing conditions covered under the medical plan?
Yes. Garnett-Powers has negotiated with HealthNet to ensure that pre-existing conditions are covered.
- Does the PPO under the Postdoc plan provide coverage nationwide or only in California?
The PPO provides coverage nationwide. If you are living outside of California, you will be entered in the out of state PPO. The HMO provides coverage ONLY in California. You must have a local address to be eligible for the HMO.
- What do I do if I need care outside of California or the U.S. and I have the HMO coverage?
Emergencies are covered. Remember to obtain an itemized receipt for any money you pay for medical care. Contact your Primary Care Physician for follow-up care. The telephone number for Health Net, while you are traveling outside of the country is (818) 676-8900. The hours are: 8:00 am- 6:00 pm PST Monday through Friday. Non-emergency care is not covered. Review your plan details for more information.
- Is COBRA coverage available for dental and vision insurance upon separation?
Yes, if coverage is lost due to a qualifying event. You will receive a Certificate of Credible Coverage from your insurance which proves your loss. You will receive COBRA information after leaving the University.
- Can I have Postdoctoral Scholar insurance coverage while living outside of the U.S. and working for UCSB?
NO; Neither the HMO or PPO provides coverage when living overseas. You must "opt-out" of the insurances while living there. You will have an opportunity to re-enroll when you move back to the states if you are still employed by UCSB.
- What are the basic differences between the staff/academic benefits and the Postdoc dental and vision insurances?
The Postdoc dental insurance HMO is through HealthNet HMO managed by Safeguard and the PPO is through Principal Dental PPO. The dental insurance for staff/academic is Delta Dental and Deltacare HMO.
The vision insurance for the Postdoc's is through EyeMed Vision. The staff/academic is VSP. It is highly recommended that when you contact the doctor's office, you state the exact insurance plan you have rather than saying UCSB insurance coverage to avoid billing denials/errors.
- I have received a bill that I don't understand; I thought my HMO health insurance covered this service.
Occasionally, if a doctor isn't contracted with HealthNet, the office will bill the patient directly. Please contact the doctor's office and advise them to bill HealthNet. Contact HealthNet to advise them of the billing and ask for urgent payment. Do not let it go to collections. Contact Garnett-Powers or the Health Care Facilitator for help in getting your bill paid.
- Can I take 6 months of maternity leave using the short-term disability plan?
The disability benefit for maternity leave is usually six weeks from the date of birth. Please contact the Postdoctoral Scholar benefit's coordinator to set up an appointment for more information.
- Does the long-term disability plan pay even though the recipient lives outside the U. S.?
Yes, however, payment is made in U.S. dollars.
- Are pre-existing conditions covered under the short-term disability plan?
No. For details, please contact Garnett-Powers and Associates directly.
- Is sick leave accumulated based on a calendar year?
Policy states that the new leave provisions cover a 12-month period. Departments may choose to administer this differently, either on a calendar year, or an academic year or anniversary year. For the time-off provision, it will not be a "bank" but you must report your time usage and your department will track the totals to ensure compliance with the policy.