Benefits Frequently Asked Questions

ERS Benefit Questions

Q: My health insurance is already effective, but I haven’t received my health insurance cards.  What do I need to do?
A: Your cards are delivered about 7-10 business days after your insurance is effective. If you need to access care before you receive your cards, you can give your doctor’s office the group number 238000 along with your SSN and the phone number to Blue Cross Blue Sheild.  The doctor’s office can use this information to verify your insurance eligibility over the phone.  If you are trying to pick up a prescription give the pharmacy the below information:
Optum RX:
Optum RX:
RxBin: 610494
RxPCN: 9999
RxGRP: ERSTX
Issuer (80840): 9151014609

Q: Where do I go to update my beneficiary?
A: If you are updating your beneficiary for your retirement plan through TRS, you will have to call TRS directly to update that information.  If you are updating it through ORP, then you’ll want to contact your investment vendor who is handling your ORP account.  If you are updating your beneficiary for your benefits, you will have to call ERS or log into your ERS account and click the link that says “update beneficiary.”  We do NOT accept any beneficiary information or forms in our office; you must contact either TRS or ERS directly.

Q: I logged into my ERS account and enrolled in benefits, however when my Benefits Summary comes up it says “waived” on all of the benefit options, what do I need to do?
A: On the Benefits Summary in ERS, you need to change the date in the box on the left hand side of the screen to match the date on the right hand side of the screen.  When you press “go” it will populate all the benefits you have elected.  The optional benefits (dental, AD&D, Optional Life, Disabilities, Dependent Life) will be effective the first of the month after you enrolled. Ex: If you enrolled on May 10th, then they will be effective June 1st.  The health insurance will be effective the first of the month following the 60th day of employment. If the 60th day falls on the first day of the month, then it will start that day. With the May 10th example coverage would begin August 1st.  Please note that my.unt.edu does not update immediately, as long as benefits are effective with ERS coverage is confirmed.

Q: Does UNT offer any other health coverage I can elect during my waiting period for health insurance?
A: No, you will have to have an outside coverage policy until your health insurance begins if you want to be covered during that time period. For example, some new employees continue their coverage with their previous employer through COBRA or they enroll on their spouse’s plan.

Q: Where do I go to find a Primary Care Physician or Facility that is in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield?
A: You can go to https://my.providerfinderonline.com and click the tab that says “Find a Doctor/Hospital” at the top of the screen. This will take you to a page where you can do a provider search by the provider’s name/facility name or by zip code.  Be sure that BCBS has the physician’s information on file so that a new id card with the PCP name can be sent out. You can do this on through the BCBS website or you can call.

Q: I can’t find the registration button on the ERS website, where do I go?
A: On the homepage of the ERS website, click “My Account Login” at the top right of the screen.  Then you will click, “Register Now” or “Proceed to Login” (both take you to the same screen).  This will take you to a login screen.  On the bottom right side, there is a “Register” button.  This will allow you to set up your login information in order to create a personal account with ERS.  * Should make the PHC doc available to campuses.

Q: Where can I go to find out more about a particular benefit?
A: Visit the ERS website, www.ers.texas.gov and click the “Active Employees” tab, then select the desired benefit for more information on the left side of the screen.

Q: How much will it be to add my spouse/dependents to the Plan?
A: Go to the ERS website and click on the “ Active Employees” tab.  Then, on the left side of the screen click “Rate Calculator.”   Click this link and it will bring up pdf’s of the current year’s premium rates.  

Q: I’m a new hire and the ERS website blocks me from doing a Post Hire Change to enroll in benefits online, what do I need to do?
A: You must wait until your first day of employment to do a Post Hire Change to enroll in your benefits.  If you are past your first day of employment, contact a Benefits Coordinator at 940-369-7650, toll free at 855-868-4357 or hrbenefits@untsystem.edu to double check your record in ERS.  

Q: How can I update my benefits if I have had a Qualifying Life Event?
A: When you experience a qualifying life event, you have the opportunity to add or change coverage for yourself or additional family members within the first 31 days of the event date. Changes cannot be made until the actual event date. To verify if your event would qualify, go to the ERS website, click on the “Employees” tab, then on the left side of the screen click on the link for “Life Events.”

(2 options)

1. To update your benefits, login to your ERS account and click on the link for “Family Status Change.”  Identify the correct reason for the Family Status Change and enter the event date.  Once this is done, it will bring up all the benefit options for you to update.  If changes are NOT made within the first 31 days of the event, then you will have to wait until the next Annual Enrollment period to make the appropriate changes/updates.
2. You can also call ERS directly and they will update your benefits over the phone on a recorded line.

FMLA Questions

Q: What is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)?
A: The Family and Medical Leave Act provides 12 weeks of job protected leave due to eligible medical conditions. FML is not paid leave but state paid insurance premiums will continue to be covered while out. To be eligible for FML you must have at least 12 months of service with the state and worked 1,250 hours within the last 12 months.

Q: How do I apply for Family and Medical Leave?
A:The application process for Family and Medical Leave is done through FMLA Source. To apply for FML you can start a case at www.fmlasource.com or call 1-844-837-9301. FMLA Source has all the forms needed and can coordinate with your Physician’s office.

Q: What do I do if I don’t meet the requirements for Family and Medical Leave for the birth, adoption or fostering of a child?
A: You can apply for Parental Leave. To apply for Parental Leave employees can start a case at www.fmlasource.com or call 1-844-837-9301. It is important to note that while out on Parental Leave employees will be responsible for the state portion of their health premiums.

Q: How can I find out more information regarding Family and Medical Leave?
A: Visit the HR System website for more details or the Department of Labor website – www.dol.gov.

Q: Who do I contact if I’m on Family and Medical Leave and did not get paid?
A: Please contact your department timekeeper to review your leave balances.  If you have already done so, please contact the Payroll Department at the BSC.

Q: What is the difference between Sick Leave Pool and Sick Leave Donation?
A: Sick Leave Pool (SLP) is sick leave hours donated by other agency employees. Eligible employees facing a catastrophic illness can pull sick leave hours from the pool. The lifetime maximum an employee can use is 720 hours. Sick Leave Donation (SLD) allows eligible employees to donate directly to other eligible employees within the same state agency. SLD is for serious health conditions lasting four or more days, there is no limit to the amount of donations a recipient can receive.

Sick Leave Pool (SLP)

Q: I would like to request Sick Leave Pool, who do I contact?
A: Please contact the Leave Coordinator by email – fmla@untsystem.edu  or call 940-369-7650 (option 5).  You can also find the Sick Leave Pool Form and Physician’s Certification Form on the HR System website.

Q: I applied for sick pool leave but did not get paid, who do I contact?
A: If you have not received an approval or denial sick pool letter, please contact the FMLA Coordinator by email – fmla@untsystem.edu  or call 940-369-7650 (Option 5).  However, if you received an approval letter please contact your department timekeeper.

Q: Where do I send my Sick Leave Pool Donation form?
A:Employees and Managers can email it to fmla@untsystem.edu or fax it to 940-369-5530.

Sick Leave Donation (SLD)

Q: Where can I find the application for Sick Leave Donation?
A: Contact the Leave Coordinator by email – fmla@untsystem.edu or by phone –940-369-7650 (option 5). FMLA Source can also provide employees applying for FML with the application.

Q: Do I have to be covered under FML to qualify for Sick Leave Donation?
A: No, employees do not have to be out on FML to use Sick Leave Donation but the recipient of the donation will need to complete a physician certification.

Q: Is there a limit to how much time I can donate?
A:  Employees can donate as much time as they have accrued to date. All employees must be in retirement eligible positions and work within the same state agency.