Sec. 1 Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish the U.T. System Administration Office of Employee Benefits Administrative Manual as the authoritative source for policies governing the administration of the U.T. System Uniform Group Insurance Program (UGIP) and the overall UT Benefits program.
Sec. 2 Principles
The U. T. System Uniform Group Insurance Program (UGIP) is authorized by Chapter 1601 of the Texas Insurance Code. The Office of Employee Benefits Administrative Manual contains policies the U. T. System is required to adopt in order to implement Chapter 1601 and meet federal requirements applicable to the administration of cafeteria benefit plans. It also contains the policies governing administration of U. T. System retirement programs and plans. To ensure consistent administration and full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, U.T. System institutions and U.T. System Administration must adhere to the policies in the Administrative Manual in their local administration of the UT Benefits program.
Sec. 3 Office of Employee Benefits Mission and Purpose
The mission of the U. T. System Office of Employee Benefits is to lead in designing, implementing, and administering high quality, cost effective benefit programs for active and retired employees in support of the mission of The University of Texas System.
Active and retired employees affiliated with all U. T. System institutions and U. T. System Administration participate in the UT Benefits program along with their eligible dependents. The primary objective of the Office of Employee Benefits is to maximize the benefits and services that participants receive for each dollar spent on the UT Benefits program. To accomplish this, the Office of Employee Benefits must weigh the needs and desires of all participants while working within the limitations of the marketplace and ensuring compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
Sec. 4 The Office of Employee Benefits Administrative Manual
The Office of Employee Benefits Administrative Manual has been prepared by the Office of Employee Benefits to ensure that UT Benefits program coverage and access to U. T. System retirement programs and plans are uniformly provided to eligible employees and retirees at all U. T. System institutions and U. T. System Administration. The Administrative Manual is available at: www.utsystem.edu/offices/employee-benefits/office-employee-benefits-administrative-manual and can be found on the Office of Employee Benefits' website at www.utsystem.edu/offices/employee-benefits via the menu on the “Forms and Publications” page.
Definitions
(See Section 130 of the Office of Employee Benefits Administrative Manual)
