Paying Your Premiums FAQs

Your coverage is effective the first day of the pay period after a completed enrollment.  Premiums are collected through payroll deduction to pay for that pay period’s coverage.

2025 Example:

• Enrollment submitted 09/03/2025.
• Coverage is effective 09/15/20253.
• First deduction is with the pay received on 10/03/2025, which is for the pay period of 09/15/2025 through 09/28/25.

View Voluntary Benefit Dates to determine when your deductions will begin.

Benefit eligibility during the summer is based on expected employment in a regular benefit eligible position for the next contract period\academic year. If you have a contract for the fall semester you are eligible for benefits over the summer.

If you are paid over less than a full calendar year you will need to ‘Pre-Pay’ your benefit premiums for your off-contract period when you do not receive pay. Premiums for medical, dental, vision, life insurance and flexible spending accounts need to be pre-paid.

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life insurance and FSA.

For 2023 the Pre-payment percentage is 70%. If the regular deduction amount is $100 then your total deduction amount would be $170.00.

• $100.00 for the current pay period
• The additional $70.00 is used to ‘Pre-Pay’ for coverage over the summer.

You can find the current benefit premium in the 2023 Health Care Premiums document.

After their first academic year contract Faculty can choose between two pay options each year in the spring.

• Receive your pay over your contract period
• Receive your pay over 12 months. July 1^st through June 30^th.

To change your pay option, submit the 12-Month Pay Election form. Changes to your pay are effective July 1^st.

If you change pay options for fiscal year 2023, then your voluntary benefit deductions will resume on the pay day 09/08/2023 since you have already paid the summer benefit cost.

Since you already pre-paid for your benefits over the summer, your deductions for those benefits will not restart until beginning of the academic year.

Your eligibility for benefits during your off-contract period is based on your employment in your regular benefit eligible position for the next academic year.

If your regular benefit eligible employment with NAU ends (resignation, retirement, etc.) prior to the beginning of your new contract for the next academic year, your eligibility for benefits will end and all remaining “pre-payments” will be refunded to you.

Yes, you can sign up for COBRA benefits. More information about Cobra benefits is available on our website including rates and the enrollment form.