Health Plan for Faculty and Staff
Health plans for Faculty and Staff are provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS).
Eligibility
- Faculty: Half-time or more with an appointment of at least two semesters (as determined by the academic department)
- Staff: Regularly scheduled to work at least 17.5 hours a week for a minimum 90-day period
- ACA-eligible Employees
Enrollment
- Within 30 days of your new hire or newly eligible benefits date
- During annual Open Enrollment
- Within 31 days of a Qualified Life Event
Summary Guides and Rates
2024
- 2024 Faculty/Staff Benefits Guide
- Faculty/Staff Benefits Rates
- Faculty/Staff Domestic Partner/Ex-Spouse Benefits Rates
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Health Plans
Selecting Your Plan
Choose from three BCBS health plan options, all covering the same services. Employee contributions, co-payments, and deductible amounts vary by the plan you choose.
- PPO Plus Plan (lower deductible, highest payroll contribution)
- PPO Plan (higher deductible, moderate payroll contribution)
- PPO HDHP Plan (highest deductible plan with auto-enrollment in Health Savings Account HSA,lowest payroll contribution)
Choose from the following coverage levels; rates are outlined in the section above:
- Individual
- Individual & Spouse or Domestic Partner (DP) (DP Affidavit required)
- Individual & Child(ren) (Up to Age 26)
- Family (Individual, Spouse or Domestic Partner, & Children)
Resources and Support
- Visit the 2024 BCBS website for coverage and plan overview.
- Review the guidebooks above for plan rates and comparison charts.
- Call BCBS at 888-261-0133 with health plan questions.
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plan Features
- Same national PPO network, cover the same services, and use the same prescription medication program
- "Blue Distinction" Centers of Excellence, providing expertise and efficiency in delivering specialty care for select procedures
- Progyny services for family planning and conception benefits, ensuring the highest level of support and access to industry experts. Learn more: Progyny Overview and Progyny video
- Well Connection Telehealth Services
- Mental Health resources and care options
- BCBS Fitness & Weight Loss Reimbursement
More on the PPO HDHP
Health Savings Account (HSA) for High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
Employees enrolled in the BCBS HDHP are automatically set up with an HSA, administered through HealthEquity, to contribute money tax free for qualified medical expenses. HSA contributions – both yours and those provided by the university – can be used today or saved for future use, even in retirement.
Understanding Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
Enrollment: Employees must be enrolled in the BCBS HDHP to have an HSA account. Once enrolled in the HDHP, an HSA is automatically created for you. You cannot contribute to an HSA if you are enrolled in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Medicare A or B.
What is an HSA? An account you can contribute to tax-free money to pay for qualified medical expenses for yourself, your tax dependents, and your spouse (or domestic partner if they qualify as dependent as defined by the IRS). HSA contributions earn tax-free interest and carry over from year to year, even if you change jobs or retire. Because HSA-powered health plans have a lower paycheck deduction, the money saved can be used to contribute to your HSA.
How to use funds: Pay for expenses with the debit card, provided by HealthEquity, or pay out-of-pocket and then request reimbursement from HealthEquity. Full university funds are available after your first paycheck in 2024. Employee funds are available as contributions are made.
How is it funded? Tufts University automatically contributes money directly into your HSA account. You have the option to make pre-tax payroll contributions, up to annual IRS contribution limit.
The annual IRS Health Savings Account contribution limit includes employee/employer contributions (from all employers) and is based on HDHP health plan enrollment level. 2024 annual limits:
- Individual coverage: $4,150; Tufts contributes $500
- Two-Person/Family coverage: $8,300; Tufts contributes $1,000
- $1,000 catch-up provision if age 55 or over by December 31, 2024
University HSA Contributions
University contributions to the HSA will be reviewed and communicated each plan year. For 2024, the university will make the contribution in the first pay period in January (if enrolled during Open Enrollment), or in the first pay period of the month following enrollment; for example, a new employee who enrolls on February 10 will receive their university contribution in the first paycheck of March.
Your HSA Contributions
You may contribute to your account through pre-tax payroll contributions and can change your HSA contribution elections any time during the year.The IRS sets the maximum contribution to a Health Savings Account each year
- Contribution elections can be made through eServe as a new hire, a life event, or during annual Open Enrollment
- Any other time, contribution changes can be made by submitting a 2024 HSA Salary Reduction Agreement Form to TSS
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Employees elect an annual HSA contribution amount, which is spread over the remaining pay periods in the benefits year. For example, if an employee enrolled in the HDHP family plan for 2024, elects to contribute during Open Enrollment, $7,300 the paycheck contribution would be $7,300/24 semi-monthly paychecks = $304.17. If you elect or change contributions mid-year, the annual pledge will be spread over the remaining pay periods.
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2023 annual contribution will carry to 2024 if you do not make changes during Open Enrollment. You can change contribution elections any time of year.
Questions? For plan details or questions, visit the HealthEquity website or call 866-346-5800.
2024 IRS Contribution Limits
Coverage Level |
IRS Employee/ Employer Limit |
University Contribution |
Employee Contribution Limit |
Employee Catch-Up Provision (Age 55 or Over) |
Individual Coverage |
$4,150 |
$500 |
$3,650 |
$1,000 |
Individual & Spouse/ Dom Partner Individual & Child(ren) Family |
$8,300 |
$1,000 |
$7,300 |
$1,000 |
Tufts Union Dining Employee Qualifications
Union Dining staff who are currently enrolled in a Tufts health plan may choose from the three university BCBS plans or two UNITE HERE HEALTH (UHH) plans. All others only have UHH plan options. Contact UHH at 833-637-3519; uhh.org.
Provided by Human Resources