Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA)
The University of South Carolina is a participating employer in the South Carolina state government benefit programs, administered by the S.C. Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA). PEBA contracts with the following vendors to process claims and administer some parts of the plans which are offered.
The Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), a South Carolina state government agency, is responsible for the administration and management of the state's employee insurance programs and retirement systems.
Insurance Benefits
https://www.peba.sc.gov/nyb
Member Login: MyBenefits
Columbia Area: 803-737-6800
Toll-Free: 888-260-9430
Retirement Benefits
https://www.peba.sc.gov/nyb
Member Login: Member Access
Columbia Area: 803-737-6800
Toll-Free: 888-260-9430
Retiree Billing: 803-734-1696
State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP): Vendor Contact Information
Claims for the health insurance plans are processed by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina.
SHP Standard Plan, Savings Plan and Medicare Supplemental Plan
statesc.southcarolinablues.com
Member Login: My Health Toolkit
Columbia Area: 803-736-1576
Toll-Free: 800-868-2520
BlueCard Program: 800-810-BLUE (2583)
Medi-Call (Medical Preauthorization)
Columbia Area: 803-699-3337
Toll-Free: 800-925-9724
Fax: 803-264-0183
National Imaging Associates (Advanced Radiology Preauthorization)
www.radmd.com
Toll-Free: 866-500-7664
State Dental Plan, Dental Plus
https://www.peba.sc.gov/dental
Member Login: statesc.southcarolinablues.com
Columbia Area: 803-264-7323
Toll-Free: 888-214-6230
Fax: 803-264-7739
Companion Benefit Alternatives (Behavioral Health)
www.companionbenefitalternatives.com
Mental Health and Substance Abuse: 803-736-1576 or 800-868-2520
Mental Health Precertification & Case Management: 800-868-1032
Mental Health Fax: 803-714-6456
Tobacco Cessation: 866-784-8454
Express Scripts is the State Health Plan pharmacy benefits manager.
SHP Prescription Drug Program
https://www.peba.sc.gov/prescription-benefits
Member Login: www.express-scripts.com
Prescription Drug Program Customer Service: 855-612-3128
Express Scripts Medicare®: 855-612-3128
EyeMed administers the State Vision Plan.
State Vision Plan
https://www.peba.sc.gov/vision
Customer Care Center: 877-735-9314
Group Number: 9925991
Health Coaching
https://www.peba.sc.gov/health-coaching
Toll-Free: 855-838-5897
Fax: 803-264-4204
MetLife administers three different plans offered through PEBA insurance benefits.
Basic Life, Optional Life, Dependent Life
https://www.peba.sc.gov/life-insurance
Statement of Health: 800-638-6420 (Option1)
Claims: 800-638-6420
Continuation: 866-492-6983
Conversion: 877-275-6387
Fax: 866-545-7515
Policy Number: 200879-1-G
Meru Health is an online health care provider that offers State Health Plan primary members an evidence-based program to reduce anxiety, stress, depression and burnout.
Customer Service: 833-940-1385
suuport@meruhealth.com
Rally is a web and mobile platform offered at no cost to State Health Plan primary members (Standard and Savings Plan) age 16 and older. The platform gives you personalized recommendations to get you moving more, eating better and feeling happier.
Extended only to active and retired service members and their spouses who meet eligibility requirements, Selman & Company offers the GEA TRICARE Supplement Plan to TRICARE eligible employees and their families of the State of South Carolina.
Customer Service: 866-637-9911 (Option 1)
Claims Fax: 800-310-5514
Standard Insurance Company provides Basic Long Term Disability (BLTD) and Supplemental Long Term Disability (SLTD) insurance to eligible State of South Carolina employees.
Basic Long Term Disability, Supplemental Long Term Disability
https://www.peba.sc.gov/long-term-disability
Customer Service: 800-628-9696
Fax: 800-437-0961
Medical Evidence of Good Health: 800-843-7979
Group Number: 621144
MoneyPlus is a program that can help maximize your spendable income by allowing you to pay certain insurance costs on a pre-tax basis.
Member Login: www.asiflex.com/scmoneyplus
Customer Service: 833-SCM-PLUS (833-726-7587)
Email: asi@asiflex.com
For employees who would like to explore savings beyond the SCRS/ORP pension programs, the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program has 401(k) and 457(b) savings plan offerings that are administered by Great West Retirement Services.
The South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program
Great West Retirement Services
Member Login: www.southcarolinadcp.com
Key Talk: 877-457-6263
All enrollments and changes for these plans are coordinated directly with the vendor, who will then facilitate enrollment with the university's Payroll department. Please contact Payroll at 803-777-4227 with any questions about deductions.
Wondr Health (formerly Naturally Slim) is a clinically-proven online program that teaches you how to lose weight and keep it off forever while still eating your favorite foods.
Visit https://www.wondrhealth.com/PEBA to apply or join the waiting list for an upcoming class.
Other Non-PEBA Providers of Benefits
In addition to the insurance and retirement benefits offered through PEBA, there are many other resources available to you.
Caro Smart Financial Solutions (previously known as Carolina Federal Credit Union) membership is open to all University of South Carolina Employees. There are over 5,000 branches nationally and 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs.
Phone: 803-227-5555
Toll-Free: 800-476-5861
Choosing a child care provider is one of the most difficult decisions you can make. Bright Horizons at USC provides developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that empower children to be confident, successful, lifelong learners.
Phone: 803-777-9202
Location: 1530 Wheat Street, Columbia, S.C. 29201
Colonial Life offers short-term disability insurance coverage. Eligible employees must enroll within 30 days of their date of hire. Their next opportunity to enroll will be during open enrollment.
Access payroll/paycheck information, benefits information, personal details (such as address and emergency contacts), and talent/education information through UofSC's Employee Self Service (ESS).
In addition to the retirement benefits offered through the State PEBA system, you may also chose to participate in 403(b) plans offered through private insurance/investment companies.
The 403(b) Program is a tax-sheltered annuity plan sponsored by the University of South Carolina and has many providers to meet your individual retirement goals. To enroll the program you will need to sign up with the university and with the annuity provider:
- Sign up with the university. New participants can start a contribution through Employee Self Service.
When you log into Employee Self Service use the drop down menu in the top center of the page to navigate to My Workplace, select the Benefits Enrollment Tile, and then select the 403(b) eform. Each step of the enrollment process is described on the 403(b) tip sheet [pdf]. - Contact the annuity provider [pdf] directly to complete paperwork to allocate investment funds and designate a beneficiary, etc.
If you do not contact the annuity provider [pdf], your account will not be setup appropriately. Depending on the vendor your contribution may be applied to a designated default account or even returned to USC.
If you have any questions regarding enrollments in a 403(b) plan, please contact your Campus Benefits Office.
Please contact Payroll at 803-777-4227 with any questions about deductions.
In collaboration with Campus Wellness, Campus Recreation, Human Resources, Campus Dining Services and Healthy Carolina, Gamecocks LiveWell offers programs and services to meet the health and wellness needs of university faculty and staff.
Phone: 803-777-6518
Email: livewell@mailbox.sc.edu
For employees who are disabled or are 65 years or older, you may be qualified for Medicare coverage, which provides you with health insurance benefits.
Phone: 800-633-4227
TTY: 877-486-2048
Our Employee Assistance Program, McLaughlin Young Group (MyGroup), offers support and resources to employees for personal or work-related challenges and concerns.
Member Login: mygroup.com (username "USC", and password "guest")
Phone: 800-633-3353
For your convenience, the Division of Human Resources offers free notary services to university community members.
Stop by the Benefits Office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
- Location:
1600 Hampton Street, Suite 801
Columbia, S.C. 29208
Disclaimer: Notary services exclude real estate closings, divorce and other services that should be performed by the court system.
Faculty and staff may rent outdoor equipment such as tents, backpacks, stoves, head lamps, sleeping bags, canoes and car-top carriers for a minimal charge at Campus Recreation.
Phone: 803-777-1449
Social security was designed to provide monetary assistance for people with inadequate or no income. Additional social security benefits can also be provided to individuals who are retired, unemployed or disabled.
Toll Free: 800-772-1213
TTY: 800-325-0778
The USC Speech and Hearing Research Center's Hearing Aid Program begins with a comprehensive functional communication assessment.
Licensed audiologists design treatment plans with components, such as education and counseling, communication strategies, individualized auditory training, hearing aids, assistive listening devices and group education and therapy.
USC employees receive a 10% discount on the purchase price of hearing aids.
USC employees may purchase a membership to the campus fitness center through payroll deduction.
Phone: 803-576-9375
Faculty and staff are allowed to access all Thomas Cooper Library facilities with a CarolinaCard.
Travelers' comprehensive products, services and support minimize risk, prevent loss and help people prepare for the unknown.
Phone: 800-842-5936
When work-related accidents or injuries happen, employers are required by state law to make sure an injured employee is provided necessary protection and care. When an incident occurs, employees should immediately report the injury to their supervisor and CompEndium Services.
CompEndium Services
Medical Case Management Provider
Phone: 877-709-2667
Fax: 877-710-2667
State Accident Fund
South Carolina's Workers' Compensation Insurance Provider
www.saf.sc.gov
Columbia Area: 803-896-5800
USC Benefits Office
Phone: 803-777-6650
Email: benefits@mailbox.sc.edu