Notification regarding Prescription Drug coverage

All UniCare Indemnity Health Insurance plans’ prescription drug programs are managed by Express Scripts.  Employees enrolled in the Indemnity Plans were recently sent a letter to their home address from Express Scripts stating that if you or a family member is taking a daily medication you must notify Express Scripts as to whether you wish to continue having your medication filled at a pharmacy or start using the mail order option.  Employees must respond to this notification or they will be charged the full amount of the prescription at the pharmacy.
 
Employees may still continue to have their prescriptions filled at a pharmacy once Express Scripts has been notified.   Once notified of the employee’s intent to continue having a pharmacy refill the prescription the employee will be charged customary co-pay.   However, employees should bear in mind that the co-pay for prescription medications is less if ordered by mail.
 
This affects only employees who are enrolled in one of the UniCare health plans (UniCare State Indemnity Plan, UniCare Plus Plan or the UniCare Community Choice Plan). 
 
If you have any questions, please contact the Human Resources Office at 978-934-3560.

Payroll dates for Fall 2009/Spring 2010 contracts

½ year Fall = 8/30/09 to 12/19/09 = 8 ppds*

Full year = 8/30/09 to 5/22/10 = 19 ppds*** (for TARA only)

½ year Spring = 1/31/10 to 5/22/10 = 8 ppds*

First pay check for fall to be issued on 9/18/09**
Last pay check for fall to be issued on 12/25/09
First pay check for spring to be issued on 2/19/10**
Last pay check for spring to be issued on 5/28/10

Checks are issued biweekly

*Please note that the HR/Payroll department enters contract dates based on what the department provides, the contracts should be written based on the academic calendar and/or when the employees are actually working, we will use Payroll dates that are as close to that as possible.

**If the contracts are not received on time then payment will be delayed.  Also this pay schedule may not apply to all Adjunct Faculty.

***Please note this year that TA/RA contracts will be paid in 19 pay periods instead of 18 pay periods, which will reduce the biweekly pay but the full stipend will still be received at the end of the academic year.  TA/RA/GA Payscale

The IRS website provides a Withholding Calculator that individuals can use to estimate their 2009 federal taxes. This site also provides advice on filling out the W-4 forms. 

The Comptroller’s Office has recently updated the policy on Moving and Relocation Expenses. The updated guidelines and Moving Expense Tax Form are available on the forms page. 

For updated information; please visit the Comptroller's Office website at: http://www.uml.edu/admin/Comptroller/comptroller.html

UMass Lowell's emergency communication system allows us to get in touch with faculty and staff immediately, through email, text messages, and voicemail.  You choose the method and we'll send you important emergency only safety information.

Go to www.uml.edu/notify and choose how you would like to be reached.

Questions?  Contact the Help Desk, Ext. 4357, or email help@uml.edu.

UMass Lowell's emergency notification system is offered on a best effort basis. UMass Lowell offers no guarantee that it will be able to send voice or text messages during every crisis or emergency, or that such messages will be received on your wireless or land line devices.

If you would like more information or to register for any of the Training programs please go to Training and Organizational Development.

If you are not eligible for health benefits through your employment at UMass Lowell, or your spouse’s employment elsewhere you are still required by the Health Care Reform Act (HRCA) to have health insurance by July 1, 2007.

You can obtain coverage as an “individual” through the Commonwealth Connector Authority.  You can sign up online at http://www.mahealthconnector.org or by calling the Connector at 1-800-MA- ENROLL.  The Connector will direct bill you.

Later this summer you will be able to have pre-tax insurance deductions taken from your paycheck through a Section 125 plan to pay for your “individual” coverage.  When more information on this option is available it will be posted online here.  In the meantime if you need coverage please contact the Connector at the above number or website.

Employees of UMass Lowell who are currently enrolled in the State Employees Retirement System with at least ten years of state service, may be eligible to buy back up to four years of creditable service for service provided to the Commonwealth as a "contract employee/03." This legislation will be in effect as of October 17, 2006. For additional information, please feel free to download and review the Contract Service Purchase Information document (Word) and the Contract Service Buy Back Form (pdf).