USG Virtual OE Info Sessions

Date Time Registration Link
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 10:00am-11:30am Register here
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 12:00pm-1:30pm Register here

KSU Virtual OE Info Sessions

Date Time Registration Link
Monday, October 23, 2023 1:00pm-2:30pm Register here
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 10:00am-11:30am Register here

OE Help Sessions

During these sessions you can receive enrollment assistance from a benefits practitioner.

Date Time Location
Monday, Oct 30, 2023 9:00am-12:00pm TP 2210 (Kennesaw)
Tuesday, Oct 31, 2023 12:00pm-3:00pm TP 2240 (Kennesaw)
Wednesday, Nov 1, 2023 9:00am-12:00pm TP 2240 (Kennesaw)
Thursday, Nov 2, 2023 9:00am-4:00pm R2-059 (Norton Hall Lab, downstairs - Entrance facing Howell Hall) (Marietta)
Friday, Nov 3, 2023 9:00am-4:00pm TP 2240 (Kennesaw)

Shared Sick Leave Pool

The Shared Sick Leave Program provides a means for USG employees to donate paid sick leave to a shared leave pool and for fellow employees who meet the eligibility provisions to request leave from the pool.

  • An employee must enroll in the program during the annual benefits open enrollment
    period established by the Board of Regents. Eligibility for enrollment is reviewed on January 1 following the open enrollment period and participation becomes effective January 1.
  • In order to receive shared leave, the employee must:
    • be a member of the leave program, and
    • have completed the initial provisional period of employment, and
    • provide certification of a serious health condition from a licensed physician, and
    • have exhausted all sick and annual leave (or must provide credible medical evidence
    that he or she will exhaust all sick and annual leave before the medical condition is resolved).
  • An employee may withdraw from the pool at any time by sending a written request to the Shared Leave Program Administrator. Any leave contributed to the pool prior to withdrawal shall be forfeited.
  • An eligible employee may request shared leave by submitting the Request Form and a
    completed Physician’s Certification Form to the shared sick leave program administrator. If the employee is not capable of making application on their own behalf, a personal representative, having documented power of attorney for the employee, may make written application on behalf of the employee.

    A potential leave recipient may request up to 160 hours (pro-rated for part-time employees) of Shared Leave at one time, and may make up to two additional requests for Shared Leave within a calendar year, for a maximum total of 480 hours (12 weeks) (pro-rated for part-time employees) per year. The requests may be consecutive.
  • All unused leave will go back to the pool.
  • You may donate leave in eight hour (8, 16, 24, etc.) increments, with a minimum donation of eight (8) hours and a maximum donation of 80 hours per enrollment period. Donors must retain at least forty (40) hours of personal sick leave upon donation (pro-rated for part-time employees).
  • Enrollment in the Shared Sick Leave pool is continuous and ongoing unless you choose to unenroll.  

Open Enrollment FAQs

  • Open Enrollment for active employees and covered retirees is from Oct. 23 through Nov. 3, 2023.
  • Enrollment in benefits for the 2024 plan year will take place online, via the OneUSG Connect – Benefits system. You may also call the Benefits Call Center at 1-844-587-4236 for assistance.
  • Active employees will begin receiving Open Enrollment information in mid-September.
  • The Medicare enrollment period is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2023, for the Jan. 1, 2024, coverage begin date.
  • Please refer to the USG website for Shared Sick Leave policy and forms. 

Premiums

  • Yes. Employee premiums are changing for all plans. Please refer to the 2024 Comparison Guide for information on the new rates for 2024.

Monthly Working Spouse Surcharge

  • Yes, the working spouse surcharge is increasing to $150 monthly for employees who cover a spouse in the USG healthcare plan and the spouse receives an offer of coverage from their employer.
  • Across the country, healthcare costs are rising, and Georgia tracks closely with national healthcare trends. Overall, USG’s costs are increasing at a higher rate than in the past. In addition, spouses on average cost $150 per month more than employees. USG is adding the surcharge to spouses that have an option of subsidized coverage in their employer’s plan.
  • Employees covering spouses in the USG plan will be required to certify whether their spouse has an offer of coverage during each annual Open Enrollment period.
  • For detailed information regarding the monthly working surcharge, please visit the USG website.

Tobacco Surcharge

  • Yes, the tobacco surcharge is increasing to $150 monthly for employees and covered spouse who are tobacco users. One surcharge covers all dependent children age 18 and older who use tobacco. A tobacco use certification will be required during each annual open enrollment period. 
  • Certification of tobacco use status is required each year for all employees and pre-65 retirees who enroll in the USG healthcare plan. If you do not certify your status and remain enrolled in the USG healthcare plan, you will be defaulted to tobacco use and will be charged the $150 monthly surcharge.

Retirees

  • For the 65+ Retiree HRA Contribution amount will be changing for 2024. The new annual funding amount for 2024 will be $2,640.
  • The contribution is changing based on the review of the average premiums of the plans in which USG retirees are enrolled, and this amount is continuing to provide a great value to retirees.
  • No, we will no longer continue to provide the Catastrophic HRA for retirees with high prescription drug costs because that is now included in the Medicare prescription coverage (Medicare Part D).
  • The Medicare enrollment period is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2023, for the Jan. 1, 2024, coverage begin date.