Benefits for Classified staff at Fort Lewis are developed and regulated by the State of Colorado. The benefit package includes health, dental, life, and disability programs. Participation in these plans is optional for the employee. For detailed plan information, visit the State of Colorado Employee Benefits website.
Download your benefits guide
The State of Colorado offers you options through Cigna for the upcoming plan year of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. These plans are designed to offer a range of coverage and cost options to fit as many care and financial situations as possible.
Understanding Your Medical Plans
The first step to great health is choosing a plan that fits your level of need and budget—and that means understanding a few basics.
Employee Premium. Your employee premium is the cost of your plans and is deducted from your paycheck. Plans with lower premiums tend to have a higher deductible, coinsurance, and out-of- pocket maximum.
Deductible. Your deductible is the amount you pay before the plan begins paying for covered services. For plans that utilize coinsurance, you’ll typically pay 100% of medical costs, including prescriptions, until you meet your deductible. For copay plans, your deductible does not need to be met in order for your plan to pay for certain services.
Copays. Copays are a flat fee you pay for a covered service.
Coinsurance. Coinsurance is your share of a covered service after you’ve met your deductible. Each plan (including copay plans) has a coinsurance rate. Typically, you’ll see a better coinsurance rate for plans with higher premiums.
Out-of-Pocket Maximum. Your out-of-pocket maximum is the most you will pay within a plan year for covered services. The plan you choose should have an out-of-pocket maximum that you can tolerate financially in the event of a high usage of health care or catastrophic health event.
If you enroll in one of the State's medical plans through Cigna, you will be automatically enrolled in a basic vision plan through EyeMed at no additional cost to you. If you are enrolled in a medical plan, you are also eligible to elect the EyeMed Enhanced Vision plan for a low monthly premium to receive increased vision coverage. Learn More or review the plan summaries below:
EyeMed Basic Plan Summary EyeMed Enhanced Plan Summary
The State of Colorado offers a self-funded dental program administered by Delta Dental. There are two plans available. To learn more about the plans, visit the Delta Dental website or call the customer service line at 800-489-7168.
Enrollment in Short-term Disability (STD) is automatic, requires no action by you and is not part of Enrollment. It is provided by the State of Colorado at no cost to you, and pays up to 60% of your pre-disability income for up to 150 days following the required 30-day waiting period.
Long-term Disability (LTD) can be purchased by employees on an after-tax basis. Premiums are determined by salary, age and PERA vesting status. After a six-month waiting period, benefits are payable up to 60% of your pre-disability earnings until age 65 (later in some cases) if you continue to meet plan requirements.
LTD enrollment is NOT guaranteed. After enrolling in the online enrollment system, you MUST complete your Evidence of Insurability (EOI) form. Without EOI, no application can be approved. The EOI form must be submitted to Standard no later than 31 days after your Enrollment period. Otherwise, you will need to wait until the next Open Enrollment period to apply. The EOI form is available through the link below.
Disability coverage is provided through The Standard Insurance Company.
If you have at least five years of PERA covered employment, you may be eligible for PERA disability benefits. LTD Premiums for PERA-vested members are lower than for non-vested members. Please refer to the chart comparing PERA and State disability benefits. For information about PERA benefits, please call PERA directly at 1-800-759-7372.
The State-paid Basic Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) life insurance provides $50,000 of coverage at no cost to employees. Employees may apply for Optional Life and AD&D (Accidental Death and Dismemberment) coverage. Coverage is provided by Minnesota Life. Dedicated Customer Service Line for Minnesota Life is 1-877-828-7728. They can provide answers to questions on claims, evidence of insurability forms, details on coverage, portability and conversion.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's) enable you to pay for certain eligible medical and dependent/ day care expenses with pretax dollars. FSA rules and regulations are explained in detail in the Salary Reduction Plan, and the FAQs for FSA's. You are expected to be familiar with the conditions and limitations of the plan. Making an error during the enrollment process or misunderstanding plan provisions will NOT enable you to change your elections during the Plan Year.
Fort Lewis College offers two Employee Assistance Programs to all regular employees. The program is also available to dependents of eligible employees. This service provides up to 6-8 free counseling sessions per employee/dependent, per fiscal year. If the participating employee/dependents need to have more counseling sessions, they will be required to pay for extra services personally. Employees can feel secure in knowing that their identities are kept confidential no person at Fort Lewis College will know they participated in the program.
On-Campus appointments are available by calling The State of Colorado Program (C-SEAP) at (800)-821-8154.
Privacy Notice Summary of Benefit Coverage
Off-Campus appointments are available at Mercy Medical Center through Profile EAP. To make an appointment, call 970-764-3760. Employee's will have to present college ID's or a pay stub so that they can verify the employee works at Fort Lewis College and is eligible for the benefit.
PERA 401(k) Contribution Authorization
PERA 457 (must enroll through PERA website)
403(b) Options - Salary Reduction Agreement