The new health benefits program for members of the College of the Desert Adjunct Association (CODAA), as per the Tentative Agreement in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), includes the following key points:
- Eligibility and Duration: This medical insurance reimbursement provision is in effect from January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. To be eligible, adjunct faculty members must hold an adjunct assignment in the spring following the winter term or the fall following the summer term of the period they are claiming reimbursement. However, adjuncts eligible for Medicare Insurance are not eligible for this program.
- Reimbursement Details: The program offers reimbursement for medical coverage only (excluding dental, vision, or other voluntary benefits). There are two reimbursement periods – Spring and Fall. The Spring Reimbursement Period applies to expenses incurred from January through June, while the Fall Reimbursement Period covers expenses from July through December.
- Reimbursement Amount: For the Spring 2023 semester, participating adjuncts are guaranteed $40 per month for the reimbursement period. This amount is prorated equally among participating adjuncts based on participation and available funding. The total reimbursement by the District is capped at $150,000 for the duration of the program.
- Documentation Requirements: Adjuncts must provide proof of payment of their medical insurance premium to be eligible for reimbursement. This proof must indicate the amount of the incurred expense that the adjunct member is contributing out-of-pocket for the insurance premium. Expenses on the proof of payment must be incurred during the reimbursement period being requested.
- Submission Deadlines: Proof of payment must be submitted to the Payroll Department by July 15th for the Spring reimbursement period and by January 15th for the Fall reimbursement period. Acceptable proof of payments includes paystubs verifying a unit member’s financial contribution for insurance coverage, policy statements verifying payment of private insurance, or verification of being a covered dependent on the insurance policy for which reimbursement is requested.
This program represents an important step towards supporting adjunct faculty with healthcare expenses, and it opens doors for future negotiations aimed at enhancing these benefits.