Insurance
The University of Mississippi provides comprehensive insurance options that support you and your family.
Our insurance options are designed to provide peace of mind and financial security
Whether you’re a prospective employee or a current member of our team, you’ll find detailed information on eligibility, premiums and the variety of plans we offer. We’re committed to making sure you have the resources you need to understand your options and make informed decisions.
Please take a moment to explore the information below and feel free to reach out to the HR Service Center team if you have any questions.
Who is eligible for the University's insurance coverages?
Temporary and permanent faculty and staff employed at least 50% time for an anticipated 4 1/2 months are eligible to enroll in the following insurance plans. Participation is voluntary. Human Resources will determine eligibility status.
When can employees elect to participate or make changes to their insurance?
Benefits-eligible employees may elect to participate or make changes to insurance plans due to the following qualifying events.
- Within 31 days of their hire date or date of eligibility
- During Open Enrollment in October of each year for an effective date of January 1 of the following year
- Within 60 days of a qualifying event, as long as the insurance change is consistent with the status change
Qualifying events include, but are not limited to:
- Marriage or divorce
- Death of a spouse or dependent
- Birth or adoption of a child
- Employee or spouse employment status change
- Refused coverage for self or dependents at time coverage was offered but subsequently loses coverage due to termination of spouse’s employment
- Employee or spouse takes an unpaid leave of absence
Insurance Options
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Health Insurance
The Mississippi State and School Employees’ Life and Health Insurance Plan is a self-insured program, administered by Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi. The University covers 100% of the premium for employee coverage under the Base Plan (a high-deductible health plan) and partially covers the premium for the Select Plan. Employees are responsible for the cost of dependent coverage.
Learn More About Our Health Insurance Plans -
Dental Insurance
This coverage is offered for benefits-eligible employees, their spouses and dependent children. You can choose between a high-coverage and low-coverage option.
Learn More About Dental Insurance Options -
Vision Insurance
This coverage provides employees with eye care benefits that include examinations, eyewear and discounts on corrective vision procedures.
Learn More About Vision Plan Options -
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
A FSA allows you to set aside pre-tax money for reimbursement eligible out-of-pocket daycare and medical expenses.
Learn More about Flexible Spending Accounts -
Accidental Death and Dismemberment
This plan provides income security in the event of an employee or family member’s untimely death or in the case of dismemberment.
Learn More About the Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan -
Cancer, Dreaded Disease and Intensive Care
This coverage pays benefits directly to the participant or beneficiary regardless of whether other insurance plans pay on covered expenses.
Learn More About Cancer, Dreaded Disease and Intensive Care -
State and School Employee’s Life Insurance Plan
As a participant in the Mississippi State and School Employees’ Life Insurance Plan, faculty and staff have access to affordable group term life insurance coverage. New hires or employees recently eligible for benefits are guaranteed coverage if they enroll within 31 days of their start date or qualifying event. The University and the employee each contribute 50% of the premium.
Learn More About State and School Employee’s Life Insurance Plan Options -
UNUM Life Insurance
Available for benefits-eligible employees, their spouses and children. This coverage provides financial protection during your working years or into retirement to help support loved ones in the event of death.
Learn More About UNUM Life Insurance -
Long-Term Disability
Long-term disability insurance is designed to help protect you against a loss of income in the event you become disabled and are unable to work for an extended period of time.
Learn More About Long-Term Disability
Frequently asked questions
For post-tax benefits, the money for your insurance is taken out after taxes are calculated. This doesn’t change how much tax you pay or your take-home pay.
The money you pay for insurance (called premiums) is taken out of your paycheck. Faculty and staff are paid on the 15th and the last working day of each month. Half of the monthly premium is taken from each paycheck.
Premiums are collected one month ahead of time. If you're a new employee or you change your benefits due to a big life event (like getting married or having a baby), you might have extra money taken out to cover any missed premiums.
If you are a 9-month employee, we collect payments in advance to cover the summer months when you're not working. While your overall costs remain the same, your monthly premiums are higher than those of 12-month employees to account for the non-working months.
Benefit Enrollment Dates and Deadlines
| Benefit | Eligibility/Effective Date | Enrollment Deadline |
| Medical | Coverage begins either on your first day of employment or your date of eligibility, depending on when your enrollment forms are submitted to Human Resources. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Dental | Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your hire date or your eligibility date. Orthodontics and major services benefits are effective after 12 months of continuous coverage without a waiver of waiting period. To request a waiver, send proof of other coverage to Human Resources. For dependants, these services are only available for those age 19 and under. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Vision | Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your hire date or your eligibility date. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Life Insurance | Mississippi State and School Employees’ Life Insurance Plan coverage begins either on your first day of employment or your date of eligibility, depending on when your enrollment forms are submitted to Human Resources. UNUM coverage is effective the first of the month after your start date or date of eligibility. Amounts over the guaranteed amount are subject to underwriting. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Accidental Death and Dismemberment | Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your hire date or your eligibility date. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Cancer, Dreaded Disease and Intensive Care Insurance | Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your hire date or your eligibility date. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
| Long-term Disability | Coverage begins on the first day of the month following your hire date or your eligibility date. | Within 31 days of new hire date or eligibility date |
Contact the HR Service Center
If you have a question, need help, or are dealing with an HR problem, the HR Service Center is here for you. Whether it's about benefits, pay, leave, insurance, tuition waivers, or anything else, our team of experienced HR Service Coordinators is ready to get you the answers you need as quickly as possible.
We're Here to Help!