Benefit Eligibility
California State University, Bakersfield offers a comprehensive package of insurance programs. Employees who meet the following criteria are eligible to participate in the benefit programs sponsored by the CSU:
- appointed to at least half-time (.50) or more, and
- an initial appointment duration of more than six months (six months and one day)
- appointed to at least half-time (7.5 WTU's' or greater), and
- an initial appointment duration of more than six months (six months and one day).
TEMPORARY ACADEMIC YEAR LECTURERS AND COACHES
- appointed to at least 0.4 timebase (6.0 WTU's' or greater), and
- initial appointment duration is for at least one semester.
Eligible dependents of an eligible employee include:
- Spouse (unless legally separated or divorced)
- Domestic partner (registered through the Secretary of State process), and
- Dependent children from birth to the end of the month in which the child reaches 26. A dependent child includes a stepchild, a natural child recognized by the father, or a child living with the employee in a parent-child relationship who is economically dependent upon the employee.
Dependents become eligible coincident with the Eligible Employee or upon attainment of dependent status. Newborn infants are eligible for medical coverage from and after the moment of birth. Adopted children are eligible for medical coverage from and after the moment the child is placed in the physical custody of the Eligible Employee for adoption.
You have 60 days from the date of the eligible appointment to enroll in a medical plan. After 60 days, an employee has the opportunity to request enrollment either as a "Special Enrollment" or "Late Enrollment" event. Late Enrollment would require a 90-day waiting period for coverage to become effective. Special Enrollments are usually effective the 1st of the month following submission of your enrollment form to the Office of Human Resources. Please see the Office of Human Resources for further information regarding Special or Late Enrollment events. Employees who enroll and wish to change from one plan to another may only do so during the annual Open Enrollment period.
You have 60 days from the date of the eligible appointment to enroll in a dental plan. After 60 days, enrollment would only be allowed during the annual Open Enrollment period.
A change in the employee's family status (i.e., birth, adoption, marriage, domestic partner, death) must be reported to the Office of Human Resources within 60 days of the event to avoid delays in benefit effective dates, including a delay until the following annual Open Enrollment Period.
Health Plans
Health Plans Rates
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CalPERS Health Benefit Summary
HMO Plans
An HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) is a plan that provides healthcare from specific doctors and hospitals under contract with the plan. While you pay co-payments for some services, you have no deductibles, no claim forms, and a geographically restricted service area. The HMO will give you a list of doctors for your use in choosing a primary care physician (PCP). The PCP coordinates all your care, including referrals to a specialist. If you go outside of the HMO without a referral from the plan, you'll be responsible for the total cost of services, except for emergencies or urgent care services.
| Provider's Website | Summary of Benefits |
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Anthem Blue Cross Select HMO |
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Anthem Blue Cross Traditional HMO |
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Blue Shield Access Plus HMO |
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Blue Shield Trio+ HMO |
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Kaiser HMO |
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UnitedHealthcare Alliance HMO |
PPO Plans
A PPO is similar to a traditional "fee-for-service" plan, but you must use doctors in the PPO provider network or pay higher co-insurance (percentage of charges). A PPO allows you to select a primary care provider and specialists without referral. In these plans, you must usually meet an annual deductible before some benefits apply. You are responsible for a certain co-insurance amount and the plan pays the balance up to the allowable amount. Similar to HMO's, the PPO Indemnity plan contracts with specific doctors and hospitals in certain areas. The plan pays higher benefits when utilizing a participating provider than a non-participating provider. Under a PPO/Indemnity plan, there is no geographic restriction. As a PPO health plan member, you get maximum benefit coverage when you use the PPO network of physicians and hospitals.
| Provider's Website | Summary of Benefits |
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PERS Platinum PPO |
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PERS Gold Basic PPO |
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Peace Officers Research Assoc of Calif (PORAC) (Restricted to Unit 8 only) |
Enroll or Make Changes
Eligible CSUB employees and their dependents have the opportunity to participate in a variety of benefit programs. Eligible family members generally include your spouse or registered domestic partner, and children under the age of 26 (regardless of marital status). Learn more about eligibility in Benefits FAQs.
Tax Advantage Premium Plan
Allows employees to have required health plan premiums withheld from their paychecks on a pre-tax basis, reducing federal and state income and Social Security/Medicare taxes.
Employees enrolled in a CalPERS health plan and who have health care contributions are eligible to participate.
Enrollment in the program is automatic unless non-participation is requested at the time of enrollment.
For further program details, refer to the FlexCash/TAPP program brochure.
If you are a new employee enrolling in health coverage, you will be enrolled in TAPP automatically.
Other Enrollment Options
Flex Cash Plan
Employees who are eligible for medical/dental insurance and have other non-CSU coverage can elect to waive CSU coverage in exchange for a monthly cash payment:
- Waive both Medical and Dental coverage: $140.00
- Waive Medical coverage only: $128.00
- Waive Dental coverage only: $12.00
Proof of alternate non-CSU insurance coverage is required. For further program details, refer to the FlexCash program brochure.
Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Employees working an average of 130 hours or more per month may be eligible to enroll
in a CSU medical plan or in the FlexCash Program.
If you do not have access to CSU medical coverage, you may be eligible for coverage
under the Covered California Marketplace. Covered California offers affordable and
quality health insurance to individuals that are not eligible for coverage through
the CSU, another employer or the government program.
Please visit CoveredCA.com to:
- Compare health plans
- Determine how much financial assistance you may receive
- Learn about your options, benefits, and cost
- Enroll in a health plan