New! Manage Your Benefits Online
Adjunct employees who meet the eligibility criteria can now manage their benefits 100% online on the benefits supersite. See Open Enrollment FAQs.
At Los Rios, we strive to provide our employees with a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and security each year.
Check out the benefits guide and insurance premiums memo for complete information.
Watch the Los Rios 2024 Open Enrollment Benefits Webinar (Passcode: HkP7Zb&0).
Eligibility
Los Rios offers medical and dental coverage to adjunct faculty members who are hired on a semester-to-semester basis, have a minimum semester assignment of 30% of full-time (.30 FTE) or 4.5 formula hours, do not have other group coverage, and are in their third or subsequent semester. Review the information provided here to determine your eligibility. Eligible dependents include your:
- Spouse or domestic partner
- Unmarried children to age 25 for dental insurance, regardless of student status
- Children to age 26, regardless of student or marital status for all other plans
- Unmarried children of any age if they are incapable of self-support due to mental or physical disability
You may be required to provide proof of dependent eligibility. If your dependent becomes ineligible for coverage, then you must contact the Employee Benefits Department within 31 days.
If you have an FTE of 0.40 or higher, then you will receive the full district contribution toward benefits for that semester. If you have an FTE between 0.30 and 0.399, you will receive a pro-rated district contribution of 75%. You can enroll in medical and dental benefits if you meet all applicable requirements set forth below:
- You have taught two of the last five semesters (summer sessions not included) with a minimum of .300 FTE and have a Tentative Class Schedule (TCS) for the current semester.
- You do not have other group medical or dental coverage.
- You enroll by the established deadlines.
- You will be working* on September 1 or March 1 of each academic year based upon an approved and processed TCS providing for a total of at least 30% of full-time (.30 FTE) or 4.5 formula hours.
- Workload assignments of other types (for example, Employment Service Agreements, Personal Service Agreements, and so on) do not count toward the FTE requirement for medical and dental benefits.
Note: It is your responsibility to monitor your eligibility and to enroll in benefits if you choose to enroll in benefits. The Employee Benefits Department will not notify you regarding gaining benefits eligibility.
*Assignments that begin later in the semester qualify provided the TCS is in place by the deadline and all other eligibility criteria are met.
If you do not meet the above eligibility requirements or are otherwise interested in individual (self-paid) medical or dental insurance, assistance is available through Keenan & Associates. KeenanDirect is a one-stop source to the Covered California Exchange and direct access to all major California carriers and health plans outside the Exchange. KeenanDirect offers assistance with other types of insurance coverage as well, such as vision and life insurance.
Download the Keenan Direct Brochure to learn more.
The Employee Benefits Department will confirm all TCSs on file with the Human Resources Department as of August 23 (for benefits beginning September 1) and January 29 (for benefits beginning March 1). FTE changes after the enrollment deadline will not affect monthly premiums unless the TCS is canceled in its entirety. (See Termination of Coverage section on page 8 of the adjunct benefits guide.) It is the employee's responsibility to ensure the TCS is in place prior to this deadline.
The Employee Benefits Department will notify you of your qualifying FTE (including Sierra College FTE) if the FTE change results in a change to your premium(s). If this FTE is incorrect, you must notify the Employee Benefits Department and provide copies of the TCS showing the correct FTE within 10 calendar days of the date of the notice. To be considered, the TCS provided must be dated on or before August 23 for the fall or January 29 for the spring.
Please note: It is your responsibility to monitor your cost for coverage each semester – you will not be permitted to terminate coverage based on cost and affordability after the semester's enrollment deadline.
If you meet the eligibility requirements for adjunct faculty benefits (i.e. you have a minimum assignment of 0.30 FTE, you have worked 2 of the last 5 semesters, and so on) and you also teach credit courses at Sierra College, you may include such courses to qualify for the full district contribution toward Los Rios medical benefits provided the combined credit workload is equal to or greater than 40% of full-time.
The joint district program applies to medical insurance benefits only. The joint district program does not affect dental premiums. You must file a request for inclusion of Sierra College FTE form each semester via the benefits supersite by August 23 (for fall semester benefits) and January 29 (for spring semester benefits). The information is verified with Sierra College prior to final approval.
Health and Dental Insurance
Los Rios offers its adjunct and LTT employees health and dental insurance plans to choose from.
Resources
Visit the Los Rios benefits supersite to find enrollment and change forms. See Open Enrollment FAQs.
- Kaiser Benefit Summary – DHMO
- Kaiser Summary of Benefits and Coverage – DHMO
- Kaiser Benefit Summary – HDHP
- Kaiser Summary of Benefits and Coverage – HDHP
- Kaiser Benefit Summary – Traditional HMO
- Kaiser Summary of Benefits and Coverage – Traditional HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Resource Documents – Overview of medical plan options, how the HSA-qualified HDHP plan works, what to expect with the HDHP plan, and more.
- Kaiser Permanente 2024 Open Enrollment Information
- Sutter Health Plus Benefit Summary – HDHP
- Sutter Health Plus Summary of Benefits and Coverage – HDHP
- Sutter Health Plus Benefit Summary – HMO
- Sutter Health Plus Summary of Benefits and Coverage – HMO
- Sutter Health Plus Coverage Book
- Sutter Health Plus Estimated Costs
- Sutter Health Plus Evidence of Coverage
- Sutter Health Plus High Deductible Health Plan FAQ
- Sutter Health Plus Network Coverage
- Sutter Health Plus Schedule of Benefits: Chiropractic and Acupuncture
- Sutter Health Plus Travel Information
- Western Health Advantage HDHP Benefit Summary
- Western Health Advantage Summary of Benefits and Coverage – HDHP Family
- Western Health Advantage Summary of Benefits and Coverage – HDHP Self
- Western Health Advantage Premier Benefit Summary
- Western Health Advantage Summary of Benefits and Coverage – Premier
COBRA Continuation Coverage
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a health insurance program that allows eligible employees and their dependents the continued benefits of health insurance coverage if the employee loses their job or experiences a reduction in work hours.
Download the COBRA Continuation Coverage Information to learn more.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Resources
Flexible Spending/Dependent Care Account (Section 125 Cafeteria Plan)
Resources
Retirement Savings Plans
As an employee of an educational institution, you may participate in a tax-deferred retirement savings program.
Through these programs, you can save a portion of your pay before federal and state income taxes. Funds are only taxed when withdrawn (usually at retirement – you may face penalties for early withdrawals). There is risk associated with 403(b) and 457 programs, as fund are not insured and are subject to earnings (or losses) based on investment choices and market performance.
Your investment vendor must be listed on the CalSTRS website, 403bcompare.com.
For the 457 plan, specific companies are eligible for Los Rios' program: CalPERS, CalSTRS, Schools Financial Credit Union, and TIAA-CREF. CalPERS members may invest in the CalSTRS 457 program, and CalSTRS members may invest in the CalPERS 457 program.
Visit the Envoy Plan Services website for a list of eligible companies.
You must first establish a 403(b) or 457 account under Los Rios with one of the companies on the approved vendor list. Once you select a company, ask for information on their 403(b) or 457 plan. They will provide an account application for you to complete.
During this process, complete the online Salary Reduction Agreement (SRA) on the Envoy website. This form provides the necessary information for Los Rios to initiate your payroll deduction.
You may enroll or change your deduction any time by submitting a new online SRA form to Envoy, but are subject to month-to-month cut-off dates to meet specific IRS and payroll deadlines. Please keep copies of all forms you submit.
The 2024 maximum contribution for 403(b) and 457 plans is $23,000 per calendar year for employees under age 50, and $30,500 per calendar year for employees aged 50 or over as of the last day of the year. These plans have separate limits, so you may contribute twice the amount listed if contributing to both types of plans.
Resources
Leaves
Leave Type | Fall/Spring Adjunct Faculty | Summer Adjunct Faculty |
---|---|---|
Sick Leave |
Eligible
|
Eligible
|
5 Month Law |
Eligible
|
Eligible
|
Vacation |
Not Eligible
|
Not Eligible
|
Personal Business |
Not Eligible
|
Not Eligible
|
Personal Necessity |
Eligible
|
Eligible
|
Workers' Compensation |
Eligible
|
Eligible
|
Bereavement |
Eligible
|
Eligible
|
Critical Illness |
Eligible
|
Not Eligible
|
Jury Duty |
Eligible
|
Eligible
|
Judicial App. |
Eligible
|
Eligible
|
Military Leave |
Eligible
|
Eligible
|
Quarantine |
Eligible
|
Eligible
|
For a detailed explanation of available leaves and district policies and procedures relating to these leaves, refer to Article 9 of the LRCFT Collective Bargaining Agreement.
For information on reporting leaves, refer to the Reporting Absences for Certificated Staff.
For maternity, paternity, or child care leave information, refer to the Parental Leave Guide for Certificated Staff.
Behavioral Health Resources
The mental health and well-being of our employees is important to Los Rios. We strive to add new resources to help employees who may be having a difficult time in life. In addition to our EAP resources, we are providing the resources shown below. We hope you find these of value.
Kaiser Permanente Resources
- Kaiser "Explore Healthy" Guide
- Kaiser Mental Health and Wellness Resources
- Kaiser Self-Care Apps
- Kaiser Wellness Coaching
- Kaiser Thriving Schools Racial Justice Resources
Sutter Health Resources
Western Health Advantage Resources
LifeWorks Resources
Employee Assistance Program
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a free, confidential resource for employees that is paid for by Los Rios. It provides resources to help employees lead healthier and happier lives, including:
- Confidential counseling
- Wellness coaching to assist with weight management, smoking cessation, stress management, fitness, and so on
- Financial services, such as planning for retirement, credit counseling, debt, budgeting, and so on
- Legal services, including attorney consultations for criminal, civil, and family matters
- Help finding childcare or eldercare
Learn More
- Download the EAP Informational Flyer for more information about benefits available.
- Watch the SupportLinc EAP Orientation Video.
- Visit WellBeing Place for tips, tools and resources to improve your overall health and well-being.
Questions?
Contact Employee Benefits for more information.