HUMAN RESOURCES BULLETIN
January, 2004	Texas State University-San Marcos	Volume 23, No. 1

ASK THE DIRECTOR

Do you have a question about a human resources policy or procedure? Need a clarification or explanation?

Then simply click on CLICK HERE, put your question on the pop-up form, and click on the "Send" button to get the question to the Director of Human Resources.

Questions received by the 10th of the month will try to be addressed in the next Human Resources Bulletin.

By using the pop-up form, the identity of the sender will remain anonymous. However, if you want to be identified, just include your name, title, and department..and you will be listed as the source of the question.

Questions received from the December issue of the Human Resources Bulletin are answered below!

Question: I had an annual physical this week. I’m supposed to get some routine blood tests. The doctor says that our insurance insists I have the test done at a lab outside of where I live. Is this true? If so, why must I drive there when I live in a town where there are two labs?

Answer: After Human Resources reviewed this question with the employee that asked it, HR found that the employee had called HealthSelect to ask the same question. HealthSelect told the employee this was not required. The employee did get the blood tests in his/her own city. The doctor, though, on the other hand continued to tell the employee that they had something in writing from HealthSelect stating that they had to go to this other lab. If these types of inconsistencies happen to you when trying to obtain medical care, ask the medical provider for a copy of the information they received from HealthSelect. Any information concerning your own health can be provided directly to you from your doctor. Then contact HealthSelect directly to clear up the inconsistency at (800) 252-8039.

As a result of the newest section of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which went into effect in April 2003, only you as the person that received the care can discuss the issue with HealthSelect to clear it up. Human Resources is not authorized to discuss protected health information (PHI) or work through claim and care issues on your behalf. In addition, if you have dependents that are over the age of 18 that are covered on your health plan, they, too, must give written authorization to HealthSelect in order for you to discuss their claims or care directly. You can access the authorization form at http://www.bcbstx.com/pdf/standard_authorization_form_tx.pdf . It would be wise to have all of your dependents that are over age 18 complete one of these forms and hold a copy in a personal file. If an occasion comes up whereby you will need to discuss that dependents claims or care, you will already have the form prepared that you can send to HealthSelect at that time.

If after discussing claims or care with HealthSelect you feel you have not received the customer service you expected, you can contact the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS) for further assistance toll-free at (877) 275-4377.

Question: I would like to know how long you have to be employed here at txstate before I can use the sick leave I’ve accumulated. I have to be admitted into the hospital, and wanted to know if I can use my sick leave for that day.

Answer: Regular employees may use accrued sick leave without waiting a period of time to use it. There are definitions and policies on how to request sick leave when you know in advance that you will need to take it. All types of leave require supervisory approval. See UPPS 04.04.30, the University Leave Policy, for more information. Section 04 of this policy specifically addresses procedures for determining sick leave.

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