Why was the spousal surcharge implemented?
The goal of the spousal surcharge is to encourage faculty and staff to carefully review each employer sponsored medical plan prior to selecting the UM medical care plan. After careful review of all medical plans available, if the UM plan provides enhanced benefits and/or is more economical, faculty and staff have the option to select a UM plan for their spouse/partner. Due to significant increases in the cost of medical care, a current trend is for employers to contribute a larger portion of the premium for employee only average and little or no contribution for spouses and dependent coverage. UM pays approximately 70 to 75 percent of the premium for spouses and dependents. The surcharge is being implemented in an effort to keep faculty and staff premium contributions at a reasonable rate rather than increasing premiums. Remember: the surcharge is only for spouses/partners who have access to another employer sponsored medical plan but choose to select the UM medical plan.
