Postdoctoral or Graduate Student Fellow Benefit Enrollment Information

Section 1601.1021 of the Texas Insurance Code provides certain postdoctoral fellows or graduate student fellows eligibility to participate in the group insurance program under the Texas A&M University System policies. The eligibility allows enrollment and participation in the Health, Dental or Vision plans but does not qualify for the State or University contributions towards insurance premiums. Therefore, please note that there is no funding provided to pay the insurance premiums and the Fellow is responsible for the full payment if coverage is elected. If the fellowship permits reimbursement for insurance premiums, that process must be accomplished through the fellowship directly by contacting the fellowship administrator.

NOTE: This process pertains to Postdoctoral or Graduate Student Fellows who are NOT benefits-eligible employees and NOT currently paid as employees through Texas A&M University. In addition, if the Fellowship is affiliated with the Texas A&M College of Engineering or College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, please contact their respective HR offices for Fellow enrollment procedures.

Eligibility

Graduate Student Fellows

To qualify for Texas A&M University group insurance, you must hold one or more graduate student fellowships, awarded on a competitive basis that either singly or in combination provide a stipend valued at $10,000 or more per year. Your eligibility will continue as long as you hold the fellowship(s) and remain in good standing with a degree granting program.

Postdoctoral Fellows

To qualify for Texas A&M University group insurance, you must hold a postdoctoral fellowship(s) and currently receive a stipend from an applicable fellowship. Your eligibility will continue as long as you hold the fellowship(s).

Enrollment Period

The initial insurance enrollment period for individuals eligible to participate in the Texas A&M University group insurance plan as an eligible Fellow will be 7-days (or until the end of the month) from the fellowship effective date that generates the benefits eligibility. Coverage can start the 1st of month following the fellowship start date if fellowship certification form is complete and submitted within the month the fellowship begins.

Individuals who waive coverage or do not enroll during the initial enrollment period will be able to enroll during a subsequent open enrollment period in July and must contact Benefits Services directly for instructions. Enrollment during the middle of the benefit plan year will require an applicable qualified change in status and must be received by Benefit Services within 31-days of the applicable qualified change in status.

Enrollment Process

Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellow Enrollment Instructions can be found on the Enrollment Process page. Enrollment for eligible dependents requires the completion of the Dependent Enrollment/Change Form and required dependent verification documentation (postdoctoral fellows and graduate fellows enrolling through Workday only). Graduate fellows enrolling through Academic Health Plans will enroll their dependents through the enrollment process with Academic Health Plans.

Insurance Coverage Options

Individuals in Postdoctoral or Graduate Student Fellowships who enroll in coverage through Texas A&M Human Resources Benefit Services Office have the following plan choices:

Health Insurance (includes $7,500 basic life policy)

• Graduate Student Health Plan (only available to Graduate students)
• A&M Care
• A&M Care J Plan (only available to those on J visa)

Dental Insurance

• Dental PPO and HMO comparison

Vision Insurance

• Superior Vision

Additional Information

Detailed information, including benefit plan booklets, is available on the System Benefits Administration website. For additional assistance, contact HR Benefit Services .

Contact Information

Texas A&M University
HROE Benefit Services
750 Agronomy Road Suite 1201 | College Station, TX 77843
Mail Stop: 1255
Phone: 979-862-1718 | Fax: 979-862-3128
Email: benefits@tamu.edu
Website: employees.tamu.edu