The University offers a choice of medical plans to faculty/staff. You are able to select the plan that best meets you and your family’s needs as you balance monthly premium with deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. If provider choice is an important consideration, you may choose between Aetna's broad network of preferred providers or the Kaiser Permanente HMO where care is provided by Kaiser staff and contracted facilities.
1. The Preferred Provider Organization ("PPO") Plan has a deductible of $500 per individual and a maximum of $1,000 for a family. Once you have met your deductible, you pay a percentage of the expenses, called coinsurance. If your coinsurance and deductible reach an amount called the out-of-pocket maximum, the plan will pay 100% of your eligible expenses for the rest of the year, excluding copays and premiums. If you receive care from a network provider, you will receive the highest level of benefit coverage available. Aetna's provider directory is here: http://www.aetna.com/docfind/home.do
2. If you choose the Health Savings Account (“HSA”) Plan, you are able to access the same broad network of providers as for the PPO. Your monthly premium is lower than the PPO while your deductible and out-of-pocket maximums are higher. Before the plan pays benefits, individuals must pay the first $2,000 of eligible health expenses. The deductible to cover you and your enrolled dependents is $4,000. Once you have met the deductible, you will pay a coinsurance percentage until you have reached your annual out-of-pocket maximum. To help you pay out-of-pocket costs, the University will contribute to a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account administered by Fidelity. You may also make paycheck contributions to your Fidelity account up to an IRS limit.
3. The Kaiser Permanente Plan is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan. Copayment is required for certain services. To receive coverage, you must use a Kaiser provider or services will not be covered. (Exceptions may be granted in certain emergency situations.) You don’t have to be referred by your primary care physician to see many specialists in network. You can search for a provider or clinic at https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/.