• UMPSA Home Page
• Membership Form
• Campus Contacts
• UMPSA Officers
• State Association
• Meetings and Events
• UMPSA Information

• Current Bargaining Agreement
• UMPSA Constitution
• UMPSA By-Laws
• Join the E-Mail List
• Join UMPSA Now
• Benefits of Membership
• Dues Schedule (PDF)
• UM Chapter News
• Grievance Form (Step 1)
• Grievance Form (Setp 2)

• State of Maine
• University of Maine System
• University of Maine System Labor Relations Act
• Legislative News
• Contact a Legislator

• Maine Education Association
• MEA Higher Education

• NEA Higher Education
• Almanac of Higher Education
• Advocate Online
• National Education Association
• Member Benefits

Article 18 - Insurances

A. 1. The University shall continue to make available to unit members the existing or equivalent health
insurance plan for full-time regular unit members. The University will make available the existing or equivalent spouse or family coverage or full-time regular unit members. Unit members may choose to enroll themselves and their eligible dependents in the plan. Changes to the plan, listed in Appendix D, shall be effective on the first of the month following execution of this Agreement.

Effective July 1, 2001 employees will pay ten percent (10%) of the total premium cost for single, single plus one, and family coverage with the understanding that the employees' last dollar amount will continue at that fixed dollar amount until a successor agreement is negotiated. Employees shall have premium payments for health coverage deducted monthly from their pay.

Comprehensive Care
Single Coverage $23.75
Single Plus One $52.25
Family Coverage $66.50

Point of Service
Single Coverage $21.59
Single Plus One $47.49
Family Coverage $60.44

3. The University will make available to eligible part-time regular unit members personal and spouse and/or family health insurance coverage equivalent to the coverage which is made available to full-time regular unit members. Eligible part time regular unit members are unit members who work at least one-half (1/2) time. The University and unit member will each pay one-half (1/2) of the premium cost for such insurance.

4. Effective July 1, 1995, the University and New York Life shall provide employees with listing of all doctors and institutions whose current rates do not exceed the usual and prevailing rate or with whom the University has reached an agreement. If there is not such a provider within sixty miles of the employee's home or if there is an emergency or extenuating circumstances which prevent the unit member from receiving services from the listed provider, the University will assume charges in excess of usual and prevailing. The unit member will continue to be responsible for deductible and co-payment charges in accordance with the plan.

B. 1. The University shall provide the existing or equivalent basic life insurance plan for full-time regular unit
members. Premiums will be paid by the University.

2. The University will provide to eligible part-time regular unit members life insurance coverage equivalent to the basic life insurance coverage which is provided to full-time regular unit members. Eligible part-time regular unit members are unit members who work at least one-half (1/2) time. Premiums for this insurance will be paid in full by the University.

C. The University will maintain for all full-time regular unit members the existing or equivalent travel insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and long-term disability insurance. The cost for these insurances will be borne by the University and/or unit members in accordance with existing practice.

D. The University and the Association shall establish a joint committee with three representatives of each party to review alternative health care options and issue a report and recommendations. This review will include but not be limited to health care utilization patterns and alternative health care plans. The committee shall issue an interim report by July 1, 1995. This committee may be expanded to include representatives of other employee groups.

E. Effective July 22, 1996, unit members shall be eligible to participate in the University's Short Term Disability Plan. Premiums for this plan are paid for by the employee.

F. 1. Professional unit members who are enrolled in the UMPSA dental plan will be included in the
University plan for non-represented employees effective at the end of the plan year for the UMPSA plan subject to approval by Delta Dental and in accordance with University plan provisions.

2. Professional unit members who are not in the UMPSA dental plan may enroll in the University plan during the open enrollment for January, 2001.

3. Premiums in the University plan which Professional unit members pay shall be subject to the increases determined by Delta Dental for the plan year beginning January 1, 2001. Unit members shall pay the full cost of any coverage elected.

4. Premiums for the UMPSA dental plan will be withheld on a pre-tax basis effective during the first month following the execution date of the Agreement in anticipation of UMPSA plan participants moving into the University plan. During the period that premiums are withheld on a pre-tax basis for unit members still in the UMPSA dental plan, the parties agree and understand that the University shall have no responsibility or liability whatsoever for operating the UMPSA dental plan or for the plan's compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Association shall indemnify, defend, and hold the University, its Trustees, officers, employee and agents, harmless against any claim, demand, suit, or any form of liability (monetary or otherwise), arising from any action taken by the Association for operating the UMPSA dental plan.

5. The Association shall thoroughly and accurately reconcile the eligibility listing for the UMPSA dental plan before the participants are included in the University plan. The University shall have no liability for any back premiums which are due because of any errors in the eligibility of unit members at the time UMPSA dental plan participants are moved into the University's plan.

G. The University and the Association shall establish a committee with up to three representatives for each party to study the issue of benefits eligibility for part-time regular unit members. Association committee members shall have paid release time to attend committee meetings. Either the University or the Association may make recommendations or reports to their respective parties.

H. Unit members may register a domestic partner for purposes of receiving University benefits. A domestic partner who is registered shall be considered to be equivalent to a spouse for purposes of University benefits, such as health insurance, bereavement or disability leave, tuition waiver, and use of University facilities. Registration of a domestic partner will require filing of an affidavit certifying the following:

1. The partners are each at least 18 years of age and are mentally competent to contract.

2. The partners are not married to anyone.

3. The partners are not related by blood to a degree which would prohibit marriage in the State of Maine.

4. The partners reside together and have resided together for at least two (2) years.

5. The partners are financially interdependent (evidence of financial interdependence will be required).

6. Misrepresentation of information in the affidavit will result in disciplinary action up to termination of employment and an obligation to repay benefits received.

7. The Unit member will notify the University by completion of a form when a domestic partnership ends.