SB551 (Adjunct Faculty Insurance)

Senate Bill 551 – Medical Coverage for Part Time Faculty

Senate Bill 551 passed into law during the 2021 Oregon legislative session provides part time faculty who are working an aggregate of .50 FTE at a single or multiple Oregon public institution(s) of higher education (includes universities and/or community colleges) with the opportunity to enroll in employee only, medical/prescription only coverage. Medical plans are the same plans available to full time faculty. Medical opt out and enrollment in a dental and/or vision coverage is not available.

If eligible for coverage, the faculty member will designate a “home institution” that will administer and determine eligibility for coverage. The faculty member must be actively working and receiving a paycheck from the selected home institution and will select a medical plan available to employees at that institution.  It is the faculty members responsibility to research and compare medical plan options and costs at the different institutions they are employed with, prior to selecting a home institution.

A copy of the SB 551 is available online at olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021R1/Measures/Overview/SB551.

Eligibility Criteria

• Currently employed at one or more Oregon institution(s) of higher education
• Worked an aggregate of at least half-time (.50FTE or 86.67 hours/month) for three of the prior four terms at any single or multiple Oregon public institution(s) of higher education (University and/or Community College)
• Currently not covered on or eligible for a PEBB or OEBB medical plan as an employee or dependent

Enrollment Periods

• Initial enrollment period October 1 – 31, 2021. Coverage effective November 1, 2021
• Subsequent enrollment periods, within 30 days from the start of each academic term. Coverage is effective first of the month following enrollment
• Mid-term hires may request an exception to enroll outside of above enrollment periods
• Semi-Annual, October and April, eligibility review periods
  • October eligibility assessment allows coverage November – April
  • April eligibility assessment allows coverage May – October

Cost

• Faculty member monthly premium share 10%, collected via payroll deduction from monthly paycheck
• Home Institution monthly premium share 90%

Enrollment through Eastern Oregon University

If you are part time faculty actively working and receiving a paycheck at EOU, wish to designate EOU as your home institution and enroll in a medical plan available through EOU:

1. Submit the following information to jnaegle@eou.edu
   • Part Time Faculty Attestation of Eligibility for Benefits Coverage
   • Proof of eligibility documentation from all institutions worked in the previous four terms. Documentation must state FTE or hours worked per month for each term
     • This information is provided on your off letter and can also be found in Mountie Hub, Employee Services
2. EOU will notify you via email of your eligibility status
3. If eligible
   • Review PEBB medical plan comparison and premium information
   • Enroll online at https://pebbbenefits.oha.oregon.gov/bms_web/!pb.main
   • Coverage effective first of the month following enrollment

If you stop working for EOU, coverage will be terminated, and you will be notified of the coverage end date.

If you are still eligible for coverage and actively working and receiving a paycheck from another Oregon public institution(s) of higher education (university and/or community college), you will need to select a new home institution and enroll in a plan available through the new home institution.

Questions? Contact jnaegle@eou.edu