Alcorn State University is committed to offering a competitive benefits program that is aligned with our university’s mission and values, and inspires employees to drive innovation and improve company performance. Our benefits program enables us to attract and retain the best talent by fostering employee engagement and driving outstanding performance that has sustained our university for more than 100 years.
Employees are eligible to participate in the following benefit options:
TELUS Health
(formerly LifeWorks)
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Work-Life Services from Humana is here for You and Your Household Members
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a confidential service provided by your employer that offers help with personal and work-related issues.
Professionally trained advisors are available to help with family problems, marital concerns, financial and legal matters, stress, depression, and other issues affecting your personal or work life.
The EAP is free and confidential. Advisors are available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Below is information on how the EAP can help and how it works.
SERVICES FOR EMPLOYEES:
The EAP is a service provided by your employer at no cost to you. That means that you pay nothing to use it. However, if you accept a referral to services outside the EAP, you will be responsible for costs that may be associated with resources external to the EAP. For example, if the EAP advisor refers you to an outside attorney for a legal matter, you would be expected to cover those costs. If the EAP advisor refers you to a counselor for ongoing (long-term) counseling and the referral is through your medical benefits, co-pays or deductibles may apply; if the referral is not covered by your medical benefits, you would be responsible for fees charged by the specialist or counselor. The EAP advisor will work with you to find the most appropriate and cost-effective help to address your needs.
An advisor will discuss your needs and concerns with you, listen and assess the situation. Depending on your situation, the EAP advisor may:
- Work with you to make a plan to resolve our issues or concerns.
- Help you navigate the EAP website for helpful resources, including articles, booklets, recordings, and more.
- Refer you to an EAP counselor for short-term support.
- Guide you to resources in your community, such as a support group or help agency.
- Recommend community support for long-term counseling needs.
Services are confidential and available to Alcorn State University employees and your household members 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Telephonic Access: 1-866-440-6556
TTY: 800.256.1604
Online Access – login.lifeworks.com – Username: alcorn Password: alcorn
Alcorn State University assumes all costs for use of the EAP and Work-Life Services for you and your household members (only under ASU plan). If additional assistance is necessary, referrals will take into account your preferences, medical plan, and financial circumstances. (Please refer to your insurance plan booklet or Human Resources for specific plan provisions.)
EAP & WORK-LIFE SERVICES SCOPE OF SERVICES ON-THE-GO ACCESS EAP POWERPOINT
State and School Employees’ health insurance claims are administered through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Mississippi. The Plan offers two coverage choices for active employees, COBRA participants and non-Medicare eligible retirees: Base Coverage and Select Coverage. Each coverage type is independent of the other.
- All employees hired before January 1, 2006 are considered legacy employees.
- All employees hired after January 1, 2006 are considered horizon employees.
- The State pays 100 percent of the active employee premium for employees enrolled in Base Coverage.
- All employees enrolled in Select Coverage pay a portion of their active employee premium.
- Horizon employees pay $41 per month for employee only coverage.
- Legacy employees pay $20 per month for employee only coverage.
An employee may choose Base Coverage or Select Coverage at initial enrollment. If timely application is made and the appropriate premium amount is paid, the effective date of coverage for the employee and any eligible dependent(s) begins the first day of employment. If an employee does not enroll or if he/she waives coverage within 31 days of employment, application may be made only during an open enrollment or special enrollment period.
Participants age 18 and older may complete an HQ health risk assessment and receive a personalized wellness plan and access to online lifestyle improvement programs. Participants are no longer required to complete the assessment in order to receive covered wellness/preventive services. A complete list of covered wellness/preventive services can be found at the Plan’s website under Wellness/Preventive coverage.
Plan Website: https://knowyourbenefits.dfa.ms.gov/
To complete your HQ, go to www.myactivehealth.com/mississippi . If you do not have internet access, you may contact ActiveHealth Management at 866-939-4721 to request a paper copy or to complete the assessment by phone.
Plan Website: https://knowyourbenefits.dfa.ms.gov/
To complete your HQ, go to www.myactivehealth.com/mississippi . If you do not have internet access, you may contact ActiveHealth Management at 866-939-4721 to request a paper copy or to complete the assessment by phone.
Group Life Insurance claims are administered through Minnesota Life Insurance Company. The employer pays 50% of the premium. There is a minimum of $30,000 and a maximum of $100,000 coverage.
https://web1.lifebenefits.com/grppd/StateOfMS010732/PlanOverview.do
Dental Insurance claims are administered through Citizen’s Security Life Insurance Company. In certain cases, the plan pays 80% of the employee’s cliams. a $50 per calendar year deductible must be met. The group number for the plan is 6766.
|
12-MONTHS HIGH OPTION RATES
**EFFECTIVE JANAURY 1, 2022** |
12-MONTHS LOW OPTION RATES
**EFFECTIVE JANAURY 1, 2022** |
|---|---|
| Employee: $33.63 | Employee: $32.02 |
| Employee+1: $65.67 | Employee+1: $62.54 |
| Family: $104.45 | Family: $99.48 |
|
9-MONTHS HIGH OPTION RATES
|
9-MONTHS LOW OPTION RATES
|
|---|---|
| Employee: $44.84 | Employee: $42.69 |
| Employee+1: $87.56 | Employee+1: $83.39 |
| Family: $139.27 | Family: $132.64 |
Vision insurance claims are administered through Davis Vision, a division of Citizens Security Life Insurance Company.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Citizens Security Life Insurance Company
12910 Shelbyville Road
Louisville, KY 40243
Locate Provider:
1-800-999-5431
www.mycsbenefits.com
Claims and Benefits Info:
1-800-843-7752
or visit www.citizensgroup.com
Employee Cost: Diamond Plan
BENEFIT OVERVIEW
12-month employee
**Effective January 1, 2022**
- Employee only – $11.39
- Employee + One – $20.88
- Family – $36.47
9-month employees
**Effective January 1, 2022**
- Employee only – $15.19
- Employee + One – $27.84
- Family – $48.63
Employee Cost: Standard Plan
BENEFIT OVERVIEW
12-month employee
**Effective January 1, 2022**
- Employee only – $7.36
- Employee + One – $13.36
- Employee +Family – $23.20
9-month employees
**Effective January 1, 2022**
- Employee only – $9.81
- Employee + One – $17.81
- Employee + Family – $30.93
Public Employees’ Retirement System of Mississippi
The State Retirement Plan offers a liberal retirement plan; the employee contributes 9% of gross salary or wages and the employer contributes 17.40% of gross salary or wages per pay period. You can access the website at www.pers.ms.gov
Optional Retirement Plan
Eligible employees are able to make an alternate choice in retirement plans; employee contributes 9% gross salary and the employer contributes 17.40% of which 14.7510% goes to the employee’s account and 2.649% goes to PERS to supplement the unfunded accrued liability of PERS.
Annuity Plans
Investing for the future is one of the wisest choices you can make during your employment. Alcorn offers a number of Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) providers and employees can select the best plan to meet your needs. To make contacting your preferred vendor convenient, please review the list of approved TSA providers below.
Considering Retirement?
If you are interested in starting the retirement process, please complete the following steps three months before your retirement date:
PERS Participants.
Step 1. Complete Part 1 of the 9A-Pre-Application for Service Retirement Benefits form. This form can be found at www.pers.ms.gov, click on forms. Please return the form to [email protected] for further processing.
Step 2. Write your letter of retirement to include last work date to the President and copy
- a. If faculty, supervisor, dean, provost, HRM, Payroll, Budget and CITS
- b. If staff, supervisor/director, vice president, HRM, Payroll, Budget and CITS
Step 3. Complete the employee exit survey and exit form found at www.alcorn.edu, click on careers and then HR Forms.
HRM will:
Complete part 2 of the Pre-Application Form and fax it, along with supporting documents, to PERS. (Employee wage information will be retrieved from the payroll office)
Supporting documents may include:
- Copy of Birth Certificates for beneficiaries and employee
- Copy of Picture ID
HRM will send further details regarding:
- Health and life insurance continuation coverage
- Unused leave payments (up to 240 hours)
- Exit Clearance Form
- Other eligible supplement coverages
Employees eligible to retire will receive correspondence from the Public Employees Retirement System of Mississippi (PERS). You may contact PERS at 1-800-444-7377 or [email protected] .
ORP Participants.
If you are enrolled in the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP), please contact the representative of that plan to complete your paperwork. Then follow steps 2 and 3 to exit the university.
ORP participants are eligible for continuing coverage in the health and life insurance plan. Your application along with a payment voucher provided by BCBSMS will be sent to the Office of Insurance for approval.
Retiree Health and Life Coverage Enrollment Checklist Reminders:
- Contact HRM to complete a health insurance Application for Coverage form and/or a life insurance Enrollment/Change Request Form
- Send your payment voucher from your employer along with a check or money order payable to the State/School Insurance Fund for your 1st month’s premium to the Office of Insurance.
Remember, you must apply within 31 days of losing coverage as an employee to be eligible to continue coverage as a retiree. However, an employee should apply for retiree coverage at least 31 days before your retirement date to avoid a temporary lapse in coverage.
Twelve-month Employees
Twelve-month permanent full-time regular employees accrue personal (vacation) leave in increments as follows:
| CONTINUOUS SERVICE | MONTHLY ACCRUAL RATE | ANNUAL ACCRUAL RATE |
| 1 month to 3 years | 12 hours | 144 hours |
| 37 months to 8 years | 14 hours | 168 hours |
| 97 months to 15 years | 16 hours | 192 hours |
| Over 15 years | 18 hours | 216 hours |
Twelve-month permanent full-time employees shall accrue major medical (sick) leave in increments as follows:
| CONTINUOUS SERVICE | MONTHLY ACCRUAL RATE | ANNUAL ACCRUAL RATE |
| 1 month to 3 years | 8 hours | 96 hours |
| 37 months to 8 years | 7 hours | 84 hours |
| 97 months to 15 years | 6 hours | 72 hours |
| Over 15 years | 5 hours | 60 hours |
The first eight (8) hours due to illness will be charged to personal leave. Absence due to the same illness in excess of eight (8) hours will be charged to major medical leave. This must be for consecutive days.
Part-time employees who are benefits eligible accrue personal and sick leave on a pro-rata basis. However, employees working less than 20 hours per week are not benefit eligible.
Nine-month Employees
Nine-month faculty members shall accrue major medical (sick) leave in increments as follows below. Employees who work 20 hours or more per week will earn leave credit on a pro-rata basis. Accumulation amounts are unlimited.
| CONTINUOUS SERVICE | MONTHLY ACCRUAL RATE | ANNUAL ACCRUAL RATE |
| 1 month to 3 years | 13.33 hours | 120 hours |
| 37 months to 8 years | 14.20 hours | 128 hours |
| 97 months to 15 years | 15.40 hours | 136 hours |
| Over 15 years | 16.00 hours | 144 hours |
What is a Cafeteria Plan?
IRS code Section 125, allows employers to adopt a plan in which employees, through salary reduction, can pay for eligible benefits and medical or dependent care expenses on a pre-taxed basis.
By allowing your employees to purchase group insurance and other benefits through the company greatly reduces the cost, offering your employees a great benefit for their dollar. In addition, putting those benefits along with other allowed benefit (i.e. Dependent Care and Unreimbursed Medical expenses) under a qualified plan can offer a substantial tax savings for the employee and employer.
Premium Only
Cafeteria Plans
Dependent Care
Spending Accounts
AMERICAN FAMILY LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY OF COLUMBUS
Worldwide Headquarters Columbus, Georgia 31999
1-800-992-3522 or www.aflac.com CLICK HERE FOR FORMS TO FILE A CLAIM.
COLONIAL LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE COMPANY
P. O. Box 1365
Columbia, SC 29202-1365
Policy Holder Service Center:
1-800-325-4368 or https://www.coloniallife.com CLICK HERE FOR FORMS TO FILE A CLAIM.
CAFETERIA PLAN-ADMINISTERED BY SOUTHERN ADMINISTRATORS AND BENEFITS CONSULTANTS, INC. (SABC)
Allows the employee to pay for certain qualified benefits using tax free dollars set aside from their earnings before income and social security taxes are deducted. If you any questions, please contact SABC at 601-856-9933 or toll free at 1-800-844-2555. You may also contact Human Resources Management. www.sabcflex.com
LEGALSHIELD
Representative: Karen McDowell
1-800-867-0030
601-720-7270
LINCOLN FINANCIAL GROUP (VOLUNTARY LIFE INSURANCE WITH ACCIDENTAL DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT (AD&D)
MANHATTAN LIFE
10777 Northwest Freeway
Houston, TX 77019
MODERN WOODMEN OF AMERICA
1701 1st Avenue
Rock Island, IL 61201
1-800-447-9811
Representative: Kenneth McGriggs
601-529-2757
NEW YORK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
4780 I-55 N. Frontage Road
Suite 200
Jackson, MS 39211
1-601-321-1028
www.newyorklife.com
- Direct Deposit – Contact Payroll Office 601-877-3907
- Credit Unions – Citizens’ Choice F.C.U., Old South F.C.U., Riverland F.C.U.
- Tuition Remission (Employees and eligible dependents may take up to 6 semester hours per semester.) – Contact Academic Affairs for more info 601-877-6140
- Sick, Vacation and Administrative Leave (Liberal plan of accrual of sick and vacation hours; administrative leave for some other type absences, i.e., jury duty, poll-worker, etc.) University Policies
- Official Holidays (Fifteen (15) holidays per calendar year.) University Calendar
- Worker’s Compensation Coverage (Coverage for expenses associated with on-the-job injuries.)
- Health Services Center (Routine and minor health care services are available.) Click Here
- Rental of On-Campus Housing (Housing is available to employees on a limited basis.) Click Here
Electronic Personnel Action Forms (EPAF)
OVERVIEW:
What is an EPAF?
•Streamlined method for composing, submitting, and approving personnel actions electronically
•EPAFs are a function of Banner that is accessed in Banner Online Services.
•EPAFS are another step in achieving a paperless personnel action process that supports the “GREEN” initiatives of the ASU Campus Sustainability Policy.
•EPAFs are more efficient than manually completing and signing forms.
•No “lost” paperwork or “hunting” for forms – you know where an EPAF is “sitting” at all times.
•Reduced time it takes to get personnel actions approved and updated in Banner
•The risk of data entry and transcription errors will be substantially decreased.
Why use EPAFs?
•Personnel actions will be processed much quicker and more efficiently than the current paperwork process.
•Originators can add additional approvers to the routing queues of EPAFs, if needed.
•Transactions can be returned for correction or voided/deleted electronically.
•An audit trail of each EPAF’s transaction history is provided.
What are the originator responsibilities?
- •Gather all information needed to create an EPAF (EPAF Personal Data Form).
- •Identify the approvers in the routing queue for your area.
- •Set up a default routing queue for each EPAF.
- •Determine if other approvers outside of the mandatory routing queue need to be added.
- •Add “Sponsored Programs” approval level to all transactions that are grant-funded.
- •Monitor EPAFs to prevent “bottlenecks” in the approval process.
What are approver responsibilities?
•Review all information in an EPAF for accuracy.
•Approve, disapprove, or return an EPAF for correction.
•Add comments to EPAFs you are not approving to explain your action.
•Notify originator that the EPAF was returned.
•Approve your EPAFs in a timely manner.
•Set up Proxy Approver access as soon as possible.
**See the EPAF Training manual for help with creating an EPAF.
Quick Links:
Hiring Flow Diagram New Hires/Re-Hires
EPAF Training
EPAF: Separations, Terminations, and Return from Leave
EPAF: New Payment Schedule for Adjunct Faculty
For questions regarding EPAFs and/or training, please contact us at [email protected] .
Contact Information
- Kimberly Hardway – Benefits Specialist
- Dwantra Anderson – Assistant Human Resources Director