BenefitPlans
Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances
2024 Medical, Dental and Vision rates - Administrative Salaried Employees & Faculty Members
2024 Medical Dental and Vision rates - Hourly Employees
Department of Labor Updates Model Employer Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Notice
Medical Plan
The Colleges current medical plan is with Excellus Blue PPO Insurance. This plan features co-pays for in-network and co-insurance for out of network services after a deductible is met (for out of network services only).
Click here to view the summary of coverage for the Excellus Blue PPO plan.
Also, Telemedicine is a convenient way to treat non-urgent medical conditions 24 hours/day. This convenient service allows employees to connect to a doctor in real time using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. A valuable option if you are away on travel, or unable to visit the doctor's office and with a lower co-pay compared to an in-person visit. Normally employees pay a regular co-pay of $25 for doctor visits, $40 for specialist visits and $0 for telemedicine service.
For more information on Telemedicine click here.
Log on to the Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Find A Doctor directory to select a participating physician. Additionally, you can call the Members Services number listed on your Excellus ID card.
When traveling outside of the U.S. you have access to medical assistance services, doctors and hospitals around the world through the Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Healthcare coverage. For more information, please view Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core.
Turning age 65
When an employee or spouse of an employee turns age 65 and is currently employed and enrolled in the Colleges medical insurance plan, the HWS medical insurance will still serve as their primary insurance. Make an appointment with your local Social Security office four to six weeks prior to turning age 65 to apply for Medicare Part A (free) and defer Medicare part B. Once an employee retires from the Colleges he/she will need to enroll in Medicare Part B at that time. Please note: for faster and easier service when registering for Medicare Part A and/or Part B you may want to enroll online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
The following information is for data aggregators who can download and interpret machine-readable files. The machine-readable files referenced on this page contain our pricing information as part of the Transparency in Coverage rules with a link.
Dental Plan
The Colleges provides a contributory dental PPO plan through Guardian. There are two levels of coverage available:
- High Option – covers basic preventive dental care plus major dental care, including orthodontia
- Low Option - covers basic preventive dental care
Employees may select any licensed dentist in the Guardian network or select a provider outside the Guardian network.
In-network or out? The choice is yours each time you need care. To save more, visit a network dentist. You will typically pay more if you visit a dentist outside the network.
Log on to Guardian's provider search directory to select a participating dentist. Or you can call the Members Services number listed on your Guardian card.
Employees must enroll within 30 days of their date of hire or a qualified change in family status. Coverage is effective the first of the month following the later of the date of hire or the completion of the enrollment forms.
Please utilize the Guardian Member Website to:
- Review who's covered on your plan
- Find a dentist who participates in your network
- Compare in- and out-of-networks cost for the most common dental procedures before you visit the dentist.
- Check the status of your claim
- Print a temporary or replacement Guardian dental ID card
- Change your primary care dentist
- Print your Health History Report - a summary of your dental visits, tests and more
- Link to health information online.
- Communicate with Member Services
Vision Plans
The Colleges provide a contributory vision plan through Guardian with two service level options.
- Davis Vision Network - Significant out-of-pocket savings are available with your full feature plan by visiting one of Davis Vision’s network locations including retail centers such as Empire Visionworks, Wal-Mart, JCPenney, Sears, Target, Sam’s Club and Pearle Vision Center.
- VSP Network - VSP Network provides benefits with services conducted at smaller private practice eye care centers.
Both service level options include an Out-of-Network option so employees will be partially covered in case your provider does not participate with the plan.Out-of-Network services require claims submission for reimbursement and out of pocket savings are reduced when seeing an out-of network provider.
Employees must enroll in medical, dental and/or vision plans within 30 days of coverage effective date or a qualifying life change status. Coverage is effective the first of the month following the date of hire.
For further details of this plan, refer to the Summary Plan Descriptions at the link below.
Log on to Guardian's provider search directory to select a participating provider. Or you can call the Members Services number listed on your Guardian card.
Please utilize the Guardian Member Website to:
- Review who's covered on your plan
- Find a vision provider who participates in your network
- Compare in- and out-of-networks cost for the most common procedures before your visit.
- Link to health information online.
- Communicate with Member Services
MEDICAL BUY-OUT
All employees who do not enroll in the Colleges medical plan will receive a $1000 buy out stipend . The stipend amount is pro-rated for employees hired after January 1st.
Important Information: An open enrollment period is held once each year, usually in the fall, during which employees may enroll or change benefits coverage with no restrictions.
Upon termination of employment, options for continuing benefits coverage will be offered in accordance with federal regulations.