What resources are available through my Health Insurance?
If you enrolled in the State of Maryland Health Plan as a UMBC employee, there are several health and wellness resources that you should be aware of during this time. The following are additional services provided by each health carrier:
- Virtual Visits (also referred “telehealth”)
- Nurse Care Line – 24/7
- Weigh Management
- Wellness Coaching
What behavioral health resources are available?
If you enrolled in the State of Maryland Health Plan as a UMBC employee, each health plan has comprehensive mental health and substance abuse services that can be accessed through your providers website. Many behavioral health specialists are offering virtual options during the COVID-19 period. Please visit the following Benefit Providers page for links to your health plan website.
In addition, UMBC offers a newly implemented Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through ComPsych Guidance Resources available to regular and contingent II employees.
While schools and many daycare facilities are closed, what can I do about the funds I am contributing to my dependentcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for this year?
COVID-19 has resulted in a number of lifestyle changes, including closed daycare facilities, unnecessary before and after-school care, or even a new need for daycare.
Regular employees who have experienced a reduction in dependent care costs or have a new need for dependent care, can request a change to your Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account in SPS Workday or enroll in one for the remainder of the 2020 calendar year. Instructions can be found here.
I am an employee experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19. What options are there under my retirement accounts?
Employees who have supplemental retirement accounts and are experiencing financial hardship have new withdrawal options under the Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).
The USM Supplemental Retirement Plans (SRA) have recently adopted changes under the CARES act to its TIAA and Fidelity 401(a), 403(b), and 457(b) plans. The CARES Act was created to provide financial relief to individuals and families, small businesses, and the aviation, healthcare, and education sectors. Highlights include:
- 10% early withdrawal penalty and 20% tax withholding waived on Coronavirus related withdrawals up to $100,000
- Loan limit increased to the lesser of $100,000 or all of vested account balance
- For retirees or those required to take minimum distributions, Suspension of Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for 401(a), 403(a), 403(b) and 457(b) plans in 2020
Employees experiencing hardship can contact their respective retirement vendors for rules, details, and to start the distribution process.
Employees who wish to change their biweekly contributions into their SRA plans, can do so by emailing the forms to HR: instructions can be found here.
What campus-based and health & wellness resources are available?
The UMBC Wellness Initiative is made up of members from various groups on campus responsible for providing wellness resources to our faculty and staff population. The following mygroups have resources faculty and staff may find helpful: