The University of Chicago Medicine

The University of Chicago Medicine provides choices for your health coverage needs. You can choose from the University of Chicago Health Plan, a traditional fee-for-service preferred provider organization (PPO) plan, a high-deductible PPO plan and a qualified high-deductible PPO plan with a health savings account (HSA). A health savings account (HSA) offers tax advantages and lets you save money to pay for health care expenses now and in the future. The HSA is only offered to participants in the Qualified high deductible PPO plan.

Learn more about the Women’s Health Friends and Family Program, a unique benefit offering quality obstetric and gynecologic care on campus, with appointments coordinated to accommodate your schedule.

We offer different dental plans to fit your individual needs. Choices include a dental co-pay plan and a preferred provider organization (PPO) plan.

The University of Chicago Medicine offers two stand alone comprehensive plans that covers most expenses associated with general vision care administered by EyeMed.

Life Insurance: The amount of basic life insurance provided by the University of Chicago Medicine is dependent upon the number of hours worked:

• 35+ hours = $50,000
• Less than 35 hours = $12,000

In addition, employees may purchase additional coverage up to four times their annual earnings. Employees can also purchase life insurance for their spouse and/or children.

Personal Accident: Pays a lump-sum benefit to employees for an accidental injury that results in fractures, dislocations, loss of limbs, burns, hospital and ambulance expenses. There is a low and high option coverage level.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment: This voluntary plan pays up to $500,000 (minimum amount $20,000) for accidents resulting in death or dismemberment. This is a 24-hour coverage that is available to employees and their families.

Disability Benefits

To help insure employees' most valuable asset — the ability to earn an income — the University of Chicago Medicine offers protection in the following ways:

• Short Term Disability: Once disabled for 14 days, but no longer than 13 weeks, employees receive a percentage of pay determined by policy or union contract. This coverage is automatic and requires no enrollment form or contribution from employees.
• Long Term Disability: Provides up to 60 percent of salary with benefits beginning the 91st day of disability. The cost of this benefit is shared between the employee and the University of Chicago Medicine.

Employee Retirement Income Plan

An important part of retirement planning is the University of Chicago Medicine’s employee retirement income plan (ERIP). It provides eligible employees with a portion of their income they will need during retirement.

Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA)

The University of Chicago Medicine SRA gives employees an additional method for retirement savings. The amounts of contributions to the plan are subject to IRS limits. Deductions are made before state and federal income taxes are withheld from employee paychecks. An array of investment options is available through TIAA.

University of Chicago Medicine Organization Development
All employees have access to a wide variety of educational and training courses provided through the award-winning Organization Development, our on-site corporate quality university. Course offerings range from basic computer skills and business writing classes, to bachelor's and master's degree programs offered through partnerships with local universities. For example, the Organization Development offers an MHA program through Valparaiso University.

Orientation
All new employees participate in a two-day, comprehensive orientation program. This orientation also includes special sessions on management practices and diversity in the workplace. Nurses receive an introduction to nursing practices at the University of Chicago Medicine.

Tuition Assistance
The University of Chicago Medicine can help employees achieve personal and professional goals with tuition assistance programs. Our tuition assistance is in two forms:

Tuition Remission
Full-time employees are entitled to 50 percent remission of courses taken at the University of Chicago or the Lab School.

Tuition Reimbursement
We offer up to 100% nursing tuition reimbursement for nurses, including degrees up to PhD/Doctorate. For all employees in a non-nursing role, we offer:

• Unlimited tuition for FT (50% for PT) pursuing a Pre-licensure BSN. (2 year work commitment requirement per course.)
• Up to a total of $4k ($2k for PT) for non-nursing tuition (i.e. bachelor’s degree) and/or non-credit (i.e., individual course/seminar).

By participating in the Health Care FSA and/or the Dependent Care FSA, employees are planning wisely for expenses that are certain to occur. FSAs offer employees the opportunity to have pre-tax dollars deducted from their paycheck to cover medical care, transportation, and other expenses. Pre-tax deductions reduce the amount of money that is taxable by the government, meaning participants will have fewer taxes taken from their paycheck.

Health Care FSA
Employees select an annual amount up to the current IRS maximums, representing out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance (deductibles, co-insurance, etc.). The amount elected is divided equally by the number of pay periods, deducted from each paycheck on a pre-tax basis and credited to the employees' Health Care FSA. Eligible expenses are reimbursed as they incur and after claim forms are submitted. Examples of eligible expenses include costs associated with eye or hearing exams, glasses and contacts, or braces that may not be covered by insurance.

Dependent Care FSA
This account works similar to the Health Care FSA, and also has an annual cap based on the current IRS maximums. The Internal Revenue Service determines eligible expenses for child or elder care.

Transportation FSA
Employees can choose to have a taxable deduction from their paycheck to cover out-of-pocket transportation costs to and from work. The program covers the following expenses:

• Parking expenses
• Public transportation costs, such as train and bus tickets

The University of Chicago Medicine offers lot and garage parking for a monthly fee. Nurses working the night shift receive free parking.

A free shuttle bus service is provided between area parking garages, the medical campus, and the Friend Center. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has an express bus that runs between our medical center and downtown train stations.

The University of Chicago Medicine offers an employee assistance program (EAP). The program is designed to assist employees who may be dealing with personal problems that affect their relationships at home or at work, including:

• Stress
• Emotional illness
• Marital and family problems
• Alcoholism
• Drug abuse
• Legal or financial concerns
• Dealing with aging parents

All problems are addressed in a safe and private atmosphere with the highest confidentiality. Employees' spouses and children are also eligible to participate.