Postdoc FAQs for HR Representatives
1. Where should a Postdoc’s health insurance forms be sent?
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Mail BCBS paperwork via regular mail to:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina
P.O. Box 2073
Durham, NC 27702
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Mail Campus Health paperwork via regular or campus mail to:
Campus Health Services
Patient Accounts
James A. Taylor Building, CB #7470
Chapel Hill, NC 27599
2. What if the Mentor wants to extend the Postdoc’s appointment past 5 years?
- Submit the Request for Postdoc Extension Form to opahr@unc.edu for approval.
- Be sure to check with OISSS for International Postdocs before submitting the request.
3. What if the Postdoc wants to reduce work / FTE?
- Submit the Request for FTE Reduction Exception Form to opahr@unc.edu for approval.
- Be sure to check with OISSS for International Postdocs before submitting the request.
4. What if the Postdoc wants to work remotely for an extended period of time?
- Contact the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs at opahr@unc.edu.
5. When and how can I pay a Postdoc an Overload lump sum payment?
- Can be used to pay the Postdoc for teaching a class in their home department or an outside department.
- Can be used to pay for non-teaching work done for an outside department.
- The Overload amount cannot exceed 20% of the Postdoc’s annual salary.
- EHRA Overload Pay Request Form should be submitted and fully approved before work begins.
6. Can the Postdoc or Mentor request a salary increase for the Postdoc?
- Salary increases can be submitted at reappointment if the salary follows NIH guidelines (No Rainbow Form required).
- Any reappointments not within the NIH guidelines will require a Rainbow Form to be submitted to epanfsalaryrequest@unc.edu.
- Both extensions and reappointments require a letter to be signed by the Postdoc.
7. What if Student Blue did not have information on the new Postdoc?
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Did the Postdoc’s Hire ePAR execute in ConnectCarolina before the monthly deadline?
- If not, submit a Help ticket so the Postdoc can receive pay for the missed month in their next paycheck.
- Insurance information will not be received by BCBS until the end of the following month.
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Did the Postdoc submit their health insurance packet?
- See Postdoctoral Health Insurance for additional information.
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Has the Postdoc’s address been updated in the University Directory?
- International Postdocs must have a local address to receive their medical cards. These are not mailed internationally.
- To update an address, go to the University Directory page.
8. What if the Postdoc wants to cancel their medical insurance or that of a dependent?
- The Postdoc should fill out a Termination Request Form and submit to Student Blue.
- Terminations are available on a monthly pro-rata basis.
- All terminations are effective on the last day of the month.
9. When does a postdoc’s health insurance take effect?
- Coverage for eligible postdocs begins on the first day of the month following the hire date.
- Example: A postdoc hired on July 25 would have health insurance coverage beginning August 1.
- Example: A postdoc hired on August 1 would have health insurance coverage beginning September 1.
10. Upon separation, when does a postdoc’s health insurance end?
- Coverage goes through the end of the month following the last day worked.
- Example: A postdoc whose last day is September 10 would have health insurance coverage through October 31.
- Example: A postdoc whose last day is September 30 would have health insurance coverage through October 31.
- Example: A postdoc whose last day is October 1 would have health insurance coverage through November 30.