Information for New Hires

Welcome to NU. As newly benefits eligible at Northwestern University, we would like to welcome you to what we hope will be a very rewarding and rich experience. In order to facilitate your entry to the University we have put together some pages to help guide you through your transition. The time of hire is one of the best times to review all the benefit plan options available to you from the University. Often people set up their benefits and do not return to re-evaluate their choices for many years, so please read the materials carefully and follow the tips we've set out for you. We recommend that you attend a New Employee Benefits Orientation session on either campus. Dates, times and locations for these sessions is accessible online. If you are unable to attend an Orientation session, you may view the presentation online.

Rules:

You must complete the enrollment process no later than 31 days from your hire date or date of initial benefits eligibility. You may conveniently make your University benefit plan selections online using eBenefits, a HRIS Self Service module. As such, the Benefits Division will not accept paper enrollment forms other than documents associated with required secondary enrollment steps such as applying for higher multiples of salary for Supplemental Life Insurance plan coverage, designating beneficiaries for the life insurance plans, waiving the one year of service for the Long Term Disability and Basic Retirement plans as well as Long Term Care insurance which is not listed among the eBenefits list of benefit plan options.

eBenefits is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week from any computer with Internet access. In addition, there is a kiosk available for your use located in the Benefits Division offices at 720 University Place , Evanston Campus and in the Payroll offices in Room 850, Abbott Hall ( 710 North Lake Shore Drive ) Chicago Campus. Please submit original forms as the Benefits Division will not accept faxes, copies or .pdf files

If you miss the 31 day enrollment deadline, you may apply for certain benefits which require the demonstration of good health (EOI) to enroll. The term "EOI" stands for Evidence of Insurability. Sometimes called a statement of good health, this is a form you submit with your enrollment form to apply for insurance coverage. It usually requires a physical or a doctor certification of your good health. The EOI is reviewed by the insurance company and its underwriters to decide whether you are a good risk for coverage. Remember, with an EOI there is always the possibility that you will be denied coverage. If you miss the 31 day enrollment deadline and you desire health insurance coverage, your next opportunity to elect health coverage is during the annual fall Open Enrollment period, or within 31 days of a qualifying change in family or employment status.

Tips:

1. Pick up a benefits packet. Without a benefits handbook and forms you can't begin the process. So drop by either of our locations and pick up your benefits packet.

2. Go to benefits orientation. We hold several benefit orientation meetings for new staff on both campuses each month. Each session covers the basics of all our benefit plans and is run by a Benefits Counselor who is available for questions after the presentation. Schedules of these sessions may be viewed online

http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/training/newemployee.html#NEOPart1
http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/orientation/2007NEO.ppt ( PDF)

3. Make an appointment with a Benefits Counselor if you have specific and detailed questions about your benefit plan options.

The Benefits Counselors are located on the Evanston campus and are available for appointments in Evanston every day from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm . Call (847) 491-7513 to make an appointment. Please provide your NU employee ID which you may find on your Wildcard as well as some of the specific questions you have.

For Chicago campus employees, a Benefits Counselor is also available on select days from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Chicago Human Resources office, Abbott Hall ( 710 North Lake Shore Drive ). Call (847) 491-7513 to make an appointment. Please provide your NU employee ID which you may find on your Wildcard as well as some of the specific questions you have.

4. Make your benefit plan selections online .

The online link should be: http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/news/newhires-begin.html

Features:

Contacting the Benefits Division staff and sponsoring insurance and investment companies

Benefits Division Staff

Sponsoring insurance and investment companies

Eligibility:

The benefits you are eligible for will depend on your postion at the University.

Download a Benefits Eligibility Table ( PDF) .

Information by Type of Employee

New Hires "Getting Started" online enrollment page.