Benefits While On Leave of Absence

Employees that anticipate a leave of absence any time throughout the year should contact Employee Benefits, Assistance and Risk Management (EBARM) for information about their benefits while on leave. EBARM can help you understand what happens with your group health benefits and how long your coverage will remain active while on leave.

What is a Benefit Period?
A benefit period is defined as one month of coverage. The benefit coverage period is first day of the month through the last day of the month, i.e., May 1 - May 31. Depending on your payroll deduction schedule, it is possible that your payroll deduction do not coincide with your benefit period. If this occurs, you will receive notification from EBARM of any premiums due.

While on a leave of absence you may experience either a Board-paid benefit period or an Employee-paid benefit period. During a Board-paid benefit period, the District will continue to pay your (employee only) group health benefits and the Board’s share of your voluntary benefits, if you continue to pay your share. During an Employee-paid benefit period, you are required to pay premiums for all group health and voluntary benefits you elect to continue.

Board-paid Benefit Period

FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act)
The Employee Relations Department determines whether an employee is eligible for FMLA. For additional information visit the Employee Relations Department website or review the FMLA brochure.

While on an approved FMLA leave of absence, the District will continue to pay for your (employee only) group health benefits and the Board’s share of your voluntary benefits (if you continue to pay your share) for the designated period of time approved by Employee Relations. EBARM will bill you for any additional premiums due, if you are enrolled in group supplemental life insurance or cover your dependents under the Board’s group health plan. Please see the COBRA section for more information on continuing your benefits, if your leave extends beyond your approved FMLA leave.

Paid Professional or Personal Leave of Absence
A paid professional or personal leave include the use of sick bank and paid personal, sick, or vacation leave. The District will continue to pay for your (employee only) group health benefits and the Board’s share of your voluntary benefits (if you continue to pay your share) as long as you remain on a paid professional or personal leave of absence.

Workers’ Compensation
While on an approved workers’ compensation leave of absence, the District will continue to pay for your (employee only) group health benefits and the Board’s share of your voluntary benefits (if you continue to pay your share). EBARM will bill you for any additional premiums due, if you are enrolled in group supplemental life insurance or cover your dependents under the Board’s group health plan. Please refer to your collective bargaining agreement (union contract) for more information about Board-paid benefits while on an approved workers’ compensation leave.

Following the Board-paid benefit period, your group health benefits will end, but may be continued under COBRA. Please see the COBRA section for more information.

Employee-paid Benefit Period

Unpaid Professional or Personal Leave of Absence
During an unpaid professional or personal leave of absence, your benefits are not paid by the District. Benefits will terminate at the end of the month following the effective date of your leave of absence. Please see the COBRA section for more information on continuing your benefits while on an unpaid leave of absence.

If you are not receiving a paycheck, you may be required to pay your employee only group health and voluntary benefit premiums. Contact EBARM to determine whether you will be required to pay premiums.

If you miss more than two premium deductions within a benefit period (i.e. May 1 - May 31), you will be offered an opportunity to continue your group health benefits under COBRA until you return to work and become eligible for Board-paid benefits.

Returning to Work after a Leave of Absence

Employees returning from an unpaid leave of absence will have a waiting period for benefits (standard waiting period). EBARM will notify you of your benefits enrollment period. If you return to work before your FMLA expires or you continued your benefits under COBRA, your current benefits will continue. All employees returning from a leave of absence should contact EBARM.

Contact Employee Benefits, Assistance and Risk Management:

Extension 4-2253 | (813) 794-2253 | (727) 774-2253 | (352) 524-2253

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A Message from Mary Tillman

The staff in EBARM wants all employees to be healthy, in mind and body, so they can be ready everyday to do their best for our children. Remember as you access health services that the District is self-insured for all medical, pharmacy and mental health services. Therefore, spend wisely, whenever you can use generics, see a primary care doctor instead of a specialist.

Also, take care of yourself, lose weight if you need to, stop smoking, take your medications as prescribed, and get some exercise. This is all good for your mind, body and wallet.