Postdoctoral Fellow Programs

Benefits Summary

Health Plan

The Cleveland Clinic Health System (CHHS) employee health plan is a comprehensive health plan that covers you, your spouse and eligible children at no initial cost to you with no pre-existing condition clause.  100% coverage is provided through the department of Primary Care; your co-pay is $10.00.  No referral is needed for specialist office visits.  Your health plan pays 100% of the allowed amount; your co-pay is $25.00.  Pediatric care provides the same coverage, 100% coverage after a $10.00 co-pay for well-baby visits, immunizations, pre-school physicals, etc.  All obstetric and gynecological care is primary care and is covered 100% coverage after a $10.00 co-pay.   

Diagnostic care outside of the CCHS at a CHN facility is covered 70% after a $500.00 deductible per person ($1500.00 maximum per family) is met.  No vision care will be provided outside of CCHS.

Urgent and emergency care at any hospital is covered 100% following a $50.00 co-pay.  In-patient hospital care is covered 100% at CCHS.  If hospitalized outside of CCHS, you must get approval from the Health Plan Coordinators to receive full coverage. 

Prescription drugs are covered as follows:  Single person annual deductible is $100.00.  Family deductible is $300.00.  Following payment of the deductible, coverage is 85% for generic drugs from on-site pharmacies, 80% off-site. High technology drugs with prior authorization are covered 80% at on and off-site pharmacies.  Preferred brand drugs are covered 75% on-site and 70% off-site. Non-preferred brands are covered 50% on and off-site.  Minimum co-pay is $5.00; maximum co-pay is $50.00 on generic and preferred brands.  There is no minimum or maximum co-pay for non-preferred drugs and a $100.00 maximum co-pay on high technology drugs.  Mail order prescriptions for up to a 90-day supply have a $15.00 minimum and a $150.00 maximum co-pay.

There is a $25.00 co-pay for ophthalmology exams in the CCHS.

Dental Plan

After one year of employment, dental insurance is provided to you and your eligible dependents at no cost to you.  The plan takes effect on the first day of the month following your start date.  You have a choice of two plans, Preventive or Traditional.  You may purchase the dental plan during your first year at cost, charged to you through payroll deduction.

Vacation

Postdoctoral Fellows may receive 15 days of vacation prorated to the entire fellowship year (an 8 month appointment may entitle the fellow to 10 vacation days during the 8 month appointment).  Vacation days must be approved in advance by the staff sponsor. 

Maternity/Paternity Leave

Postdoctoral Fellows are given 6 weeks of paid maternity leave (8 weeks for a C-section) and 2 weeks paid paternity leave.  To receive pay you must notify your department when you begin maternity/paternity leave.  The staff sponsor must be informed at least 90 days before maternity/paternity or adoptive leave.  The Family Leave Act of 1993 guidelines (birth, adoptive or foster placement of a child or care of a seriously ill child, spouse or parent or yourself) and consists of unpaid leave up to 12 weeks per year following employment for one year and 1250 hours in the preceding 12 months.  Staff sponsors must have 90 days notice prior to any extended and planned leave of absence.

Lab Coats

Lab coats are provided for all postdoctoral fellows and laundered by CCF.

Emergency Loan

Loans for up to $1200.00 per year (interest free) are available for postdoctoral fellows through the Graduate Medical Education Office.

Life Insurance

Postdoctoral Fellows are insured for $25,000 after 30 days of employment.

Retirement Program:

Postdoctoral Fellows may contribute to an unmatched 403b retirement plan managed by Fidelity Investments.  Automatic payroll deduction is available.

Special Note:  Postdoctoral Fellows with J-1 Exchange Visitor Status:

You will be required to purchase additional insurance to cover the following:

• In the event of death: repatriation of remains insurance in the amount of $7500.00
• In the event of illness:  insurance to cover expenses associated with your medical evacuation to your home country in the amount of $10,000.00.

You will be required to prove that you have obtained this insurance once you arrive at the Cleveland Clinic.  If you do not have proof of the insurance on the day you process in, you will be given 30 days to obtain this coverage.  If you fail to comply you will be terminated from your fellowship and your J-1 visa will be revoked.  This insurance may be obtained from a source in your home country or from a company listed below:

International SOS Assistance, Inc.  PO Box 11568, Philadelphia, PA  19116.  Phone: (215) 244-1500/ in USA (800) 767-1403.   www.internationalsos.com

Cultural Insurance Services International. Phone: in USA (800) 303-8120  ext. 5430. www.culturalinsurance.com

**Be sure to specify you need ONLY medical evacuation and repatriation of remains insurance.