8.1 Determining Eligibility for Benefits 

Eligibility for benefits is determined by employment status (full-time or part-time) as well as employment classification (administrator, temporary administrator, grant administrator, faculty, classified or confidential employee.) Eligibility is also dependent upon provisions as set forth in the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

A comprehensive Information detailing employee benefit eligibility is available in the Human Resources Department website.

8.2 Group Health, Prescription Drug and Dental Plan Benefits 

The College offers group medical, prescription drug and dental plan benefits to full-time administrative, faculty, confidential and classified employees who meet certain eligibility requirements.

Open enrollment for benefits begins in the fall of every year. Employees are notified electronically via email of the start of the open enrollment period. The Human Resources Benefits office holds informational sessions to explain modifications to existing benefits and/or the addition of new benefits. Faculty and staff are provided notice via email regarding various opportunities to learn about upcoming benefits for the new plan year. The new plan year begins September 1 of each year. Any dependent coverage or plan enrollment changes you elect during open enrollment will be effective October 1 of each year.

Employees should consult, where applicable, the plan summaries, and/or documents for a detailed explanation of any benefit. Plan documents or contracts, as applicable, supersede anything in this handbook in the event of any conflict. Community College of Philadelphia, by action of the Board of Trustees and the President, reserves the right to interpret, apply, alter or amend, unilaterally, any benefit not subject to Pennsylvania Public Act 195.

Comprehensive information regarding group medical, prescription drug and dental benefit plans are available in booklets and summary plan descriptions and may be accessed at: 

Independence Blue Cross 
http://www.ibx.com/index.jsp 

Delta Dental: 
http://www.deltadentalins.com/ 

Prescription Drug Plans: 
https://host1.medcohealth.com/consumer/site/home

For HR Benefits Booklets and links: 
http://www.ccp.edu/site/offices/human_resources/hrlinks.php 

The College complies with all federal regulations concerning the protection of personal health information. Please access the following HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices.

8.3 Flexible Benefit Plans 

The College offers Medical, Dependent Care and Commuter (both parking and transportation) flexible spending account plans to full-time administrative, faculty, classified and confidential employees who meet certain eligibility requirements. Participation in these plans allows eligible employees to pay for unreimbursed medical, dependent care, public transportation and parking expenses with pre-tax dollars.

Part-time classified employees who work at least 30 hours per week and are scheduled to work the full calendar year are eligible for Dependent Care and Commuter Benefit Accounts the first of the month following completion of the probationary period. Health care flexible spending accounts are available after one (1) year of employment.

Open Enrollment for Flexible Spending Plans is held during the month of November with an effective date of January 1 of the following year. No enrollment will be permitted after the deadline date. Communication from the Human Resources Department for this event is sent prior to November 1.  For further information, contact the Human Resources Benefits office at extension 8037.

To access the flexible spending plan site:
http://www.flex-plan.com

8.4 Life Insurance 

All full-time and part-time staff who meet specific service requirements are offered fully paid or partially paid Term Life Insurance. Amounts of coverage vary depending on your job classification. At termination of employment, a staff member may convert the College coverage to an individual policy for him/herself without a physical examination if application is made within 30 days from date of termination. 

Please contact the Human Resources Benefits office at extension 8038 for further information and to request a Life Insurance booklet.

8.5 Short Term Disability and Income Protection Plan 

8.5.1 Short Term Disability Benefits 

Full-time administrators and full-time faculty are eligible for short-term disability benefits up to 180 days at 100% of pay. Medical documentation of proof of illness or disability is required.

For further information, please contact the Human Resources Benefits office at extension 8037 and/or view the Short Term Disabilities Benefits Procedures.

8.5.2 Income Protection Plan Benefits 

After completing probation, a full-time classified or confidential employee who has been ill or who has been disabled for a period of twenty-eight (28) calendar days will receive thereafter eighty (80) percent of his or her regular pay for a period of one-hundred and fifty-two (152) days after the 28-day period. Medical documentation of proof of illness or disability is required.

Part-time classified employees who work a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week are eligible for Income Protection Benefits (IPB) after six (6) years of employment. The IPB is based on the number of hours scheduled to work.

For more information, please contact the Human Resources Benefits Office at extension 8037 and/or view the Income Protection documentation.

8.6 Long Term Disability 

The College provides eligible full-time faculty, full-time administrative, classified and confidential staff with long-term disability (“LTD”) protection. Eligibility for LTD protection begins after one year of continuous employment. LTD benefits provide up to sixty percent (60%) of your monthly base salary.

Full-time temporary and grant administrators are eligible for LTD after the fourth year of re-appointment. LTD benefits may provide up to sixty percent (60%) of base salary.

An eligible faculty or staff member who is sick or disabled for six consecutive months (sick time runs concurrently with Family Medical Leave for an employee’s own illness) may apply for LTD. Approval for LTD is determined by the insurance carrier. Once approved, benefits commence on the first day of the following month and continue until the employee returns to work or he/she reaches age 65.

Please contact the Human Resources Benefits office at extension 8038 for further information and to request an LTD booklet. 

8.7 Continuation of Insurance (COBRA) 

When a member of the faculty or staff separates from College service on a voluntary or involuntary basis, federal legislation known as the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) mandates that the College offer the individual the option to continue the medical, drug and dental coverage in place at the time of separation. This coverage is offered at the College group rate plus an administrative fee of 2 percent. A faculty or staff member’s spouse and children may also have COBRA rights under certain circumstances.

If you experience a change in family status (divorce, death of a dependent, etc.), it is your responsibility to notify the Human Resources department. The duration of your eligibility for COBRA benefits depends upon the reason (e.g., resignation, death or divorce of employee.)

Please contact the Human Resources Benefits office to get detailed information regarding COBRA at extension 8208.