University at Buffalo (UB) 
Administrative Services Gateway
Administrative Services GatewayBuilding partnerships through collaboration
Benefits for Employees Funded Through UBF
The benefits available through UB Foundation (UBF) are designed to meet the needs of today's workforce. You have a choice of benefits that will enable you to design a benefits package specifically for you and your family.
How Do Flexible Benefits Work?
When you are initially hired and/or become eligible, you will enroll for most benefits through the Benefit System, which allows you to choose the benefits you and your family need.
The Benefit System provides a summary of your current benefit elections and general information on all UBF benefits, including plan descriptions. You can also use the library section of the Benefit System to find:
- Summary Plan Descriptions (SPD)
- Provider website links
- Benefit forms
Benefit Elections
Benefit elections for medical, dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts are effective until December 31 of the calendar year that you enrolled, provided you continue to meet eligibility requirements. Because these are section 125 benefits, you cannot change these options (medical, dental, vision, health FSA) any time during the calendar year unless there is an IRS qualified “life event”.
While you are generally only allowed to change your benefits elections during the open enrollment period each year, certain life events provide an exception. Those life events allow you to change your benefits elections in the middle of the plan year if certain requirements are met.
The following are examples of types of life events that may allow you to change your benefit elections during a plan year:
- Birth/Adoption
- Change in Insurance Coverage
- Change of Address (which affects plan eligibility)
- Change in Employment Status
- Death in the Family
- Dependent Child Reaches Limiting Age
- Divorce/Annulment
- Domestic Partnership
- FMLA-related Leave
- Legal Separation
- Loss / Gain of Other Coverage
- Marriage
- Medicare / Medicaid Eligibility
- Significant Coverage Reduction or Cost Increase
Please notify the UBF Benefits Department immediately if you experience any life event changes so that we can ensure there is no interruption or error in your benefits. You will have 30 days from the date of the life event to make the change.
Open Enrollment
UBF annual open enrollment is offered in late fall of each year and gives you the opportunity to review and select the same or different benefits using the Benefit System. You will be notified in advance of the Open Enrollment period.
Frequently Asked Questions About Benefits
UBF conducts a benefits orientation the second Tuesday of every month starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Center for Tomorrow, North Campus. This orientation would be most beneficial for newly eligible participants, however, all participants are welcome to attend.
Preregistration is appreciated, but not required, by calling 716-645-8731 or sending email to Joyce Weeman.
![Lisa Adamshick.]()
Lisa Adamshick
Benefits and Human Resources Manager
UB Foundation
Phone: 716-645-8726
Email: ladamshi@buffalo.edu
Benefit Types
Medical Insurance
Medical Insurance offered through Independent Health allows you to see a participating doctor. The Independent Health plans provide:
- Extensive coverage for hospital services
- Routine and major medical care
- Preventive services, many of which have no copayment.
Medical Insurance Eligibility
The insurance is available to eligible salaried individuals and hourly workers who are regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week. Coverage is effective on the first day of the month following date of hire or eligibility date. Eligible dependents or students are covered up to age 26.
Cost
UBF shares the cost of health insurance coverage with the participants. Your share of medical insurance is currently paid with pretax dollars.
Plan Options
The Independent Health options include:
- Flex Fit plans
A detailed summary of these plans is available in the Library section on the Benefit System, and is also available from the UBF Benefits Department.
Medical Highlights
Independent Health (In Network Benefits)
| Type of Service | Flex Fit Active | Flex Fit Family |
|---|---|---|
| Office Visit Primary | $15 Adult $30 Child | $25 Adult $0 Child |
| Office Visit – Specialist | $45 Adult $45 Child | $45 Adult $45 Child |
| Inpatient Hospital Stay | $500 | $500 Adult $0 Child |
| Prescription Drug | $10 / $50 / $100 | $10 / $50 / $100 |
Emergency Room/ Ambulance | $150 / $100 | $150 / $100 |
After Hours Urgent Care Centers | $35 | $35 |
| Outpatient Surgery (hospital) | $150 | $150 |
| Outpatient Surgery (facility) | $125 | $125 |
| Out of Network Benefits | Yes | Yes |
| Additional Benefits | $250 for health club membership, alternative therapies, sports/fitness programs | |
Enrolling in Medical Insurance
Opt Out
If you receive health insurance through your spouse's employer and you have a full-time appointment, you may elect to waive health coverage through UBF and receive cash, paid as taxable income. The cash amount is $600.00 annually, paid $25 on the first two pays of each month. You must be able to document that you received coverage through your spouse to be eligible for this option.
Exception
If you are covered under your spouse’s medical insurance and they receive their medical benefits from UBFA or another UB Pay line, you are not eligible for Opt Out.
Dental Insurance
The Guardian Traditional Plan covers preventive services at 100%, requires a calendar year deductible and co-payment for other services, and allows you to visit the dentist of your choice within the provider network.
Dental Insurance Eligibility
Dental coverage is offered to eligible salaried individuals and hourly workers who are regularly scheduled to work 20 hours or more per week. The coverage is effective on the first day of the month following date of hire or eligibility date.
Cost
Dental coverage premium is covered by your department.
Dental Highlights
| Dental Highlights | Guardian - Traditional Plan |
|---|---|
| Preventive Care (e.g. cleanings) | 100% Scheduled Items $0 Deductible |
| Basic Care (e.g. fillings) | 80% Scheduled Items $25 Deductible |
| Major Care (e.g. crowns/dentures) | 60% Scheduled Items $25 Deductible |
| Orthodontia | Orthodontia is for Children up to age 19. 50% to a maximum of $1,500 |
| Dependents | Unmarried up to Age 26. |
Vision Insurance
UBF offers optional vision insurance through Guardian, utilizing the Davis Vision Network. The plan provides an exam and lenses or contacts every 12 months for all participants, with frames available every 24 months.
| Copay | Amount |
|---|---|
| Exams Copay | $10 |
| Materials Copay (waived for elective contact lenses) | $25 |
| Sample of Covered Services | In-Network | You Pay (after copay if applicable): |
|---|---|---|
| Eye Exams | $0 | Amount over $50 |
| Single Vision Lenses | $0 | Amount over $48 |
| Lined Bifocal Lenses | $0 | Amount over $67 |
| Lined Trifocal Lenses | $0 | Amount over $86 |
| Lenticular Lenses | $0 | Amount over $126 |
| Frames | 80% of amount over $130 | Amount over $48 |
| Contact Lenses (elective and conventional) | 85% of amount over $130 | Amount over $105 |
| Contact Lenses (planned replacement and disposable) | 85% of amount over $130 | Amount over $105 |
| Contact Lenses (medically necessary) | $0 | Amount over $210 |
| Service | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Exams | Every calendar year |
| Lenses (for glasses and contact lenses) | Every calendar year |
| Frames | Every two calendar years |
| Network discounts (glasses and contact lens professional service) | Applies to first purchase & courtesy discount from most providers on subsequent purchases. |
| Dependent Age Limits | 26 |
Vision Insurance Eligibility
Eligibility is based on an appointment as UB Faculty or staff on a UBF funded account and working a minimum of 20 hours per week. The coverage is effective on the first day of the month following date of hire or eligibility date.
Vision Insurance Enrollment
Enrollment is handled through the Benefit System.
Cost
The cost of the vision insurance paid with pre-tax dollars by way of payroll deductions, subscriber is responsible for 100% of the cost.
Contact an Expert
Lisa Adamshick
Benefits and Human Resources Manager
UB Foundation
Phone: 716-645-8726
Email: ladamshi@buffalo.edu