Position Leave

A Position Leave is a leave of absence for a period of up to six months while your department holds your job.

The benefits listed may be affected by a position leave if you were enrolled prior to the leave. When you return from your leave, prior benefit levels resume.

Health Care

Contract College Health Plans

Health deductions will be taken from your paycheck provided you continue to receive pay while on a position leave. If you are not receiving pay while on a position leave, your medical coverage continues with Cornell for 28 days past the last day of the bi-weekly pay period worked. The NYS Department of Civil Service will bill you for continuation of your medical coverage, with payment remitted to Civil Service. If coverage lapses due to nonpayment or involuntary cancellation, coverage terminates at the end of the pay period in which full payment was received. Medical coverage will be automatically reinstated on the first day of the second bi-weekly pay period in which you return to work regardless of whether you involuntarily or voluntarily continued medical coverage. If you requested to cancel medical coverage prior to your leave with the HR Services & Transitions Center (HRSTC) or during the leave directly with NYS, medical coverage is not automatically reinstated. You must complete a PS404 form and return it to the HRSTC in order for the medical coverage to begin on the first day of the following month. If coverage was not cancelled, your medical coverage will be reinstated automatically on the first day of the second bi-weekly pay period upon return to the payroll in a benefits-eligible position. Please contact the HRSTC via phone at (607) 255-3936 or via email at hrservices@cornell.edu if you have questions.

Dental

Dental coverage continues provided you continue to receive pay while on a position leave. If you are not receiving pay while on a position leave, your dental coverage continues with Cornell for 28 days past the last day of the bi-weekly pay period worked. The NYS Department of Civil Service will bill you for continuation of your dental coverage. If you do not want to continue the dental coverage, contact the NYS Department of Civil Service at (800) 833-4344. When you return to work, coverage will be reinstated automatically on the first day of the second bi-weekly pay period upon return to the payroll in a benefits-eligible position. Please contact the HR Services & Transitions Center (HRSTC) via phone at (607) 255-3936 or via email at hrservices@cornell.edu if you have questions.

Endowed Health Plans

On a Position Leave provided you continue to receive pay, deductions will be taken from your paycheck. On a Position Leave not receiving pay, your medical coverage is automatically continued provided you pay the full employee and employer share of the premiums (full cost) while you are on leave. You will be billed on a monthly basis from PayFlex. If you wish to cancel coverage while on leave without pay or have any questions on the billing process, please contact Benefit Services at (607) 255-3936.

Endowed Dental Plans

Your existing dental insurance coverage will be maintained during the leave period provided you continue to pay the employee share of the premium. PayFlex is the company that bills for Cornell's insurance coverage and PayFlex will bill you on a monthly basis. The first bill will include all premiums due from your start date in leave without pay status through the current coverage period. If you wish to cancel coverage while on leave without pay or have any questions on the billing process, please contact Benefit Services at (607) 255-3936.

Endowed Vision Plan

Your existing vision insurance coverage will be maintained during the leave period provided you continue to pay the employee share of the premium. PayFlex is the company that bills for Cornell's insurance coverage and PayFlex will bill you on a monthly basis. The first bill will include all premiums due from your start date in leave without pay status through the current coverage period. If you wish to cancel coverage while on leave without pay or have any questions on the billing process, please contact the HR Services and Transitions Center (HRSTC) at (607) 255-3936 or via email at hrservices@cornell.edu.

Insurance

Life Insurance

Your basic life will be continued at no cost while on an unpaid leave. CIGNA Group Insurance will bill you for any Group Universal Life insurance coverage that you may have.

Long Term Care Insurance

Those enrolled in a plan with RetirementGuard will continue to be direct billed.

Personal Accident Insurance

CIGNA group insurance will bill you for any personal accident coverage that you may have.

Auto and Home Insurance

Mercer Voluntary Benefits will bill you for the premium.

Pet Insurance

Mercer Voluntary Benefits will bill you for the premium.

Retirement Savings

No university contributions will be made if you are on an unpaid leave.

PayFlex Flexible Spending Accounts

You are eligible to continue your participation as described under Leaving Cornell or Taking a Leave Without Pay during the Plan Year section of the Flexible Spending Accounts Plan Booklet.

Financial Assistance

NY's 529 College Savings Program

While on unpaid leave, if you wish to continue to make contributions, you will need to contact NY’s 529 College Savings Program to discuss your options. If you are on paid leave, payroll deductions will continue.

Cornell Children's Tuition Scholarship (CCTS)

CCTS will continue through the term in which your unpaid leave commences.

Disabilities Benefits

You are NOT eligible.

Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP)