The Affordable Care Act and Health Coverage
The University fully complies with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Health Care Reform. The ACA requires employers to offer affordable health coverage that meets minimum requirements to full-time employees.
In accordance with the ACA, the University of Utah categorizes employees into three groups.
- Full-time employees - employees expected to work full-time (30 hrs per week). Expectations are based on the standard hours in the job posting or as otherwise communicated to the employee.
- Part-time and variable hour employees - employees expected to regularly work less than an average of 30 hours per week.
- Seasonal employees - employees in positions for which the customary annual employment is less than six months. A seasonal position is one that can only be performed each year, beginning and ending in approximately the same part of the year, such as summer or winter.
Employees who are full-time employees will be offered coverage in the University of Utah Employee Health Care Plan (the "Plan"), which is compliant with the ACA within three months of their date of hire or transfer into a full-time position.
The University will use a 12-month measurement period to determine if employees who are in part-time, variable hour, or seasonal positions are actually working full-time. The University's Standard Measurement Period (look back period) begins on May 1st each year and continues through the following April 30th. New hires have an Initial Measurement Period which begins on the first day of the month on or following their date of hire.
Hours worked includes:
- Hours worked in all position with the University, including UUHC, student, temporary and seasonal jobs (but does not include hours worked under a Federal or State-sponsored student work study program)
- Vacation, sick, and holiday hours paid
- Jury duty
- FMLA and military leave
In addition, because the University is an educational institution, breaks in service of 26 weeks or less will have hours credited.
Employees who work 1,560 or more hours during a Standard or Initial Measurement Period (30 hours per week average), are considered full-time for purposes of health care eligibility and will be eligible to enroll in the Plan as a full-time employee while employed during the one-year period. Employees who work full-time during a Standard Measurement Period will be offered coverage effective the following July 1st. New hires who work full-time during their Initial Measurement Period will be offered coverage within one month following the end of their Initial Measurement Period.
For additional information on the eligibility rules, contact your HR Employment Services Representative.
For information on the health plan options available, see the Employee Health Care Plan presentation.
RELATED LINKS:
- Affordable Care Act and Health Coverage
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Coverage effective January 1, 2015
- Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- COBRA Coverage
- Consumer Directed Health Plan (CDHP) & Health Savings Account
- Coordination of Medical Benefits
- Dental Coverage
- Eligibility and Enrollment
- Eligible Dependents
- Employee Assistance Program and Behavioral Health Coverage
- Find a Network Provider
- Preventive Services Under ACA
- Prescription Drug Coverage
- Privacy Notice
- Provider Network and Plan Design Options
- SafeUT Crisis Text and Tip App
- Status Change Events
- Summary Comparison of Medical and Dental Benefits - University Faculty and Staff
- Summary Plan Descriptions
- Tax Form 1095-C
- University Pharmacies
- University Pharmacies
- Virtual Visits