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SUBFINDER »
LPS Benefit Program Questions and Answers
What benefit plans does the District
offer?
The district offers health insurance (Blue Cross/Blue Shield
or HMO Nebraska), dental insurance, term and/or permanent
life insurance, disability insurance, and vision insurance.
Premiums are not taxed.
Who is eligible to enroll in the
benefit options available through Lincoln Public Schools?
Certificated employees (other than substitutes) who have an
F.T.E. of .4 or who work at least 75 days during the school
year with an F.T.E. of 1.0 are eligible to enroll in either
of the health insurance programs. Classified staff who work
at least 17 1/2 hours per week are eligible to enroll in either
of the health insurance programs. An employee must work 20
hours per week (.5 FTE) to be eligible to enroll in disability
insurance, and 15 hours per week for term and/or permanent
life insurance and the flexible benefit plan. Your paycheck
must be enough to cover the entire premium.
When can I apply for health insurance?
A new hire must apply within 30 days after the first
day of employment. However, applications must be received
by the 10th of the month to be effective the first of the
following month. Current employees may also apply within 30
days of a change in family status (see definition below).
There is a 12-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions
decreased by creditable coverage. Refer to the Employee Benefits
booklet for more information.
My spouse's employer is raising
the cost of its health insurance premiums. She is thinking
about dropping her insurance through her employer. Can I add
her to my single health insurance policy?
No. You may apply only within the 1st 30 days of employment
or within 30 days of a change in family status. See definition
below.
How do I cancel my insurance?
Insurance can only be canceled during the month of
September unless there is a change in family status. The request
to cancel must be received by the 15th of the month to be
effective on the first of the following month. If you wish
to cancel your insurance, please contact Human Resources for
a Change of Family Status form and cancellation form. This
must be done within 30 days of the change of family status.
What is considered a change in family
status?
A Change in Family Status may include the employee's
marriage or divorce, the death of the employee's spouse or
dependent, a child of the employee is born or adopted, or
the employee's spouse begins or ends employment. A Change
of Family Status form is available from Human Resources and
must accompany the enrollment form or drop form. This must
be done within 30 days of the change of family status.
If I resign from Lincoln Public
Schools can my health insurance be continued?
Federal legislation known as the Consolidated Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) requires group health
plans to allow the employee (or qualified beneficiaries where
applicable) to continue their group coverage for 18 months
upon the occurrence of a qualifying event such as termination
of employment (other than by reason of the employee's gross
misconduct) or reduction of hours. In the case of the death
of an employee, a divorce or legal separation, the employee
becomes entitled to Medicare, or a dependent child ceases
to be a dependent, continuation can be up to 36 months for
the qualified beneficiary.
I have been hired as a "one
year only" teacher. Should I sign up for health insurance?
If you do enroll in one of the health insurance programs
within the first 30days of employment and are not re-hired
for the next school year, COBRA would apply. Keep in mind,
if you do not enroll in health insurance for
the "one year only" assignment and are re-hired
for the next school year and wish to enroll in health insurance,
you are not considered a "new hire" by the insurance
carriers and may not be able to enroll.
I have heard LPS has a complete
IRS Section 125 Plan. What does that mean?
IRS Section 125 Plan is another name for a flexible
benefit plan whereby employees can reduce their gross salary
to pay various kinds of expenditures on a non-taxed basis.
LPS allows employees to pay all insurance premiums through
LPS with non-taxed dollars. Dependent care costs and unreimbursed
medical expenses have been included as additional items that
can be paid for with non-taxed dollars. Call Human Resources,
436-1593, for more information.
What is the difference between the
Death Benefit that LPS provides and Term Life Insurance offered
through Jefferson Pilot Financial?
The Board of Education provides a death benefit for
each employee at no cost to the employee. Term life insurance
is also available through Jefferson Pilot Financial at a cost
of $1.90/per $10,000 of coverage per month. You must enroll
within the first 30 days of employment or during the month
of September.
One of my fringe options is disability
insurance. How does this work?
The district's disability insurance plan provides 60%
of the employee's monthly income as long as the employee is
disabled according to the provisions of the plan. It should
be noted that total disability caused by pregnancy or complications
of pregnancy will be covered on the same basis as sickness.
Disability benefits begin when all accumulated sick leave
is exhausted. The cost of disability insurance is based upon
monthly salary and accumulated sick leave, so as you accumulate
sick leave, the cost of disability insurance will decrease
per $1,000 of monthly salary.
Do I get any dental insurance with
my basic health insurance?
Dental coverage is available through Blue Cross/Blue
Shield and Health-Dent, Inc. Blue Cross/Blue Shield provides
basic preventive and maintenance dental coverage (A and B
coverage) for the policyholder only as part of both individual
and family health insurance plans. All employees may purchase
more extended dental coverage as a separate plan from Blue
Cross/Blue Shield or from Health-Dent on either an individual
or family basis.