UMRS/UDRS Employee Compensation and Benefits Policy

Summary

Description of benefits provided to residents/fellows employed by UMRS/UDRS

For information regarding vacation and leaves of absence (including New York State Short Term Disability and Paid Family Leave), see UMRS/UDRS EMPLOYEE VACATION AND LEAVES OF ABSENCE POLICY

Policy Statement

The University at Buffalo Office of Graduation Medical Education (UB GME) provides all employees (residents/fellows) of University Medical Resident Services (UMRS) and University Dental Resident Services (UDRS) with financial support and benefits to ensure that they are able to fulfill the responsibilities of their training program(s). This policy describes benefits provided and/or available to residents/fellows and requirements for enrollment in those benefits. This policy is published on the UB GME website and is available for review by residents/fellows at all times.

I. Resident/ Fellow Compensation

II. Resident/ Fellow Benefits

A. Health Insurance (Medical & Dental)

    1.   Residents/fellows are provided with health insurance at no cost for single or family coverage, effective on the first day of employment.   

        a)  The Medical Insurance Plan is administered by Highmark of Western New York and includes prescription coverage and vision discounts. The plan has no in-network pre-existing condition clause.

            (1)  Residents/fellows who are covered under a health insurance plan other than one provided through UMRS or UDRS may be eligible for a health insurance buy-out option. Residents/fellows will be required to complete open enrollment and provide a certificate of coverage from their medical plan provider annually to UB GME in order to receive the buy-out option.

            (2) An employee who is married to another employee and are both employed by UMRS/UDRS must enroll in the UMRS/UDRS family medical insurance plan under one resident. Employees who are covered under the UMRS/UDRS medical insurance through a spouse are not eligible for the medical insurance buy-out.

    b) The Dental Insurance Plan is also administered by Highmark of Western New York. The plan provides both in-network and out-of-network benefits.

    2.  New employees enroll in the health insurance plans during regularly scheduled new employee orientations. The health insurance plan year is generally July 1 through June 30, with coverage beginning on the first day of employment regardless of start date. Open enrollment for continuing residents/fellows is held in June of each year for coverage from July 1-June 30. Residents/fellows may make changes to their health insurance coverage only during the annual Open Enrollment period, except in the case of a qualifying life event such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, or gain/loss of employment.

        a)  Employees must notify UB GME within 60 days of any qualifying life event (e.g., marriage, birth, gain or loss of spouse insurance coverage) by emailing ubgmehr@buffalo.edu in order to make appropriate changes to health insurance coverage. Failure to do so will result in a delay in coverage until the following Open Enrollment period (June of each year for coverage effective July 1).

    3.  Health insurance ends on the last day of the month in which employment ends.

    4.  Residents/fellows and their dependents are permitted to continue health insurance coverage, typically for up to eighteen (18) months following loss of eligibility under the group plan, at their own expense, through COBRA Continuation Coverage. Plans are available only for local (WNY) coverage. Third-party COBRA administrators send notice of the resident/fellow and/or dependent’s COBRA rights and conditions for purchase of this coverage upon notice of the loss of eligibility under the group plan 14 days after insurance coverage terminates.

B. Group Long-Term Disability Insurance

  1. Residents/fellows are covered under a group long-term disability insurance plan,  provided at no cost. Residents/fellows should refer to the plan contract for specific coverage and eligibility information.
  2. This plan offers the option for conversion to an individual plan, provided qualifying conditions are met during employment. Residents/fellows should contact Richard Godshaw at Walsh Duffield Companies, Inc. to explore these options prior to graduation by phone: (716) 362-7367 or email: rgodshaw@walshins.com

C. Retirement plan and Financial planning

Residents/fellows have the option to establish an IRA or Roth IRA Retirement Plan with an outside financial vendor through the convenience of payroll deduction. Residents/fellows should contact Richard Godshaw at Walsh Duffield Companies, Inc. to discuss these options during employment, by phone: (716) 362-7367 or email: rgodshaw@walshins.com

D. Group Term Life Insurance

$50,000 of term life insurance is provided at no cost to residents/fellows. Residents/fellows should refer to the plan contract for specific coverage information.

E. Supplemental Group Term Life Insurance

Residents/fellows have the option to purchase supplemental life insurance in amounts of $50,000, $100,000, $200,000, or $300,000. Residents/fellows may also purchase supplemental life insurance for their spouse who is not employed by UMRS or UDRS in amounts of $25,000, $50,000, $100,000, or $150,000, not to exceed 50% of the coverage purchased for themselves. Evidence of insurability is required for coverage at the $300,000 level (employee) and $150,000 level (spouse). Coverage for dependent children is also available. Residents/fellows can enroll in (or increase) this coverage during the annual Open Enrollment period or as a result of experiencing a qualifying life event, provided the event has been reported in accordance with the notification requirements of the plan. Residents/fellows who wish to elect or increase this coverage at any other time will be required to submit full medical information to the life insurance carrier at their own expense.

F. Flexible Spending Accounts

Residents/fellows have the option to contribute to a health care and/or dependent care flexible spending account (FSA) on a pre-tax basis. Contributed funds can be used to offset the cost of eligible out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses as determined by the IRS. Minimum and maximum annual contributions for health care FSA and dependent care FSA are determined per IRS regulations.

Annual contributions are based on the plan year of July 1 through June 30. Residents/fellows can enroll in a FSA during the annual Open Enrollment period. Residents/fellows may also enroll in a FSA or make changes to an existing FSA election as a result of experiencing a qualifying life event, provided the election or change is consistent with the event and the event has been reported in accordance with the notification requirements of the Plan. Enrollments or election changes made at any time during the plan year other than the annual Open Enrollment period are subject to pro-rated (monthly) contribution limits in order to meet plan and IRS requirements.

G. Prescription Name Stamp

  1. Residents/fellows in programs that require the use of a prescription name stamp will receive one (1) at no cost through UB GME during UB GME orientation or as soon thereafter as practical.

H. Lab Coats

  1. All new employees will receive two (2) white lab coats with University insignia free of charge at the start of their residency or fellowship. Replacement and laundering are at the owner's expense. Lab coats will be distributed during UB GME orientation, or as soon thereafter as practical.

I. University Privileges

Upon receipt of all necessary paperwork by UB GME, each resident/fellow will receive the volunteer faculty title of Clinical Assistant Instructor. Volunteer appointment as a Clinical Assistant Instructor at the State University of New York, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences or School of Dental Medicine permits employees to use all campus facilities (e.g., libraries, gymnasium, parking, etc.) according to University faculty guidelines. Residents/fellows may also attend University at Buffalo events at the faculty rate. After all employment requirements have been met, each residents/fellow can obtain a faculty ID card.

J. Certificates of Completion

At the end of each resident’s/fellow’s training, the program director will recommend them for a University Certificate of Residency or Fellowship Completion. Duplicate certificates will be provided to the resident/fellow upon request from the relevant program administrator.

Applicable Requirements

ACGME Institutional Requirements effective 7/1/2022 (applicable to UMRS employees (e.g. residents/fellows in ACGME-accredited programs)):

Resident Salary and Benefits: The Sponsoring Institution, in partnership with its ACGME-accredited programs and participating sites, must provide all residents/fellows with financial support and benefits to ensure that they are able to fulfill the responsibilities of their ACGME-accredited program(s). (Core) (II.D.)

Health and Disability Insurance: The Sponsoring Institution must ensure that residents/fellows are provided with health insurance benefits for residents/fellows and their eligible dependents beginning on the first day of insurance eligibility. If the first day of health insurance eligibility is not the first day that residents/fellows are required to report, then the residents/fellows must be given advanced access to information regarding interim coverage so that they can purchase coverage if desired. The Sponsoring Institution must ensure that residents/fellows are provided with disability insurance benefits for residents/fellows beginning on the first day of disability insurance eligibility. If the first day of disability insurance eligibility is not the first day that residents/fellows are required to report, then the residents/fellows must be given advanced access to information regarding interim coverage so that they can purchase coverage if desired. (Core) (IV.G.- IV.G.2.a))

Established:  1993
Reviewed by GMEC : 09/93; 09/94; 03/02; 01/03; 2004; 07/08; 01/10; 03/17; 02/18; 10/18; 12/20; 05/22