- Open Enrollment Educational Sessions Schedule
- Dental Plans
- What's New?
- Compare Plans
- Money Smarts: Trim Your Costs
- FAQ
- Health Care Lingo
Health care edition of Currents (.pdf)
Money smarts:
Ways to trim health care costs
While health care premiums will increase, a number of free tools, services, and offerings can help put cash back in your wallet. Try a couple, and you could lower your overall wellness-related expenditures next year.
Fill out an online health
assessment
If you and your spouse or domestic partner are enrolled in a University health care plan, you can complete a free, Web-based health assessment in exchange for a $100 paycheck bonus ($125 for early birds who complete the assessment by March 31). This confidential survey gauges your level of wellness and could qualify you for lifestyle and disease management programs tailored to your health needs. It’s important to note that this year, to receive the assessment bonus, you’ll need to plug in accurate data for your cholesterol levels, blood pressure score, and other key readings. Don’t know your numbers? A fast and free biometric screening can supply them. Watch for more information about the health assessment and related screenings in the new year.
Spare yourself an unnecessary office visit—and copay
As part of the University’s partnership with Carewise Health, you have free access to a trusted, 24/7 nurse line. Whether you have a general health question or want support managing a chronic condition, you can make a free call to 1-877-598-3967. A nurse will be standing by.
Complete a Chronic Condition or Lifestyle Management program
The data you submit via your personal health assessment could qualify you for a Chronic Condition (asthma control, diabetes, heart disease, etc.) or Lifestyle Management (smoking cessation, stress management, etc.) program. Options range from face-to-face programming at the new Healthy Living Center, to telephonic or electronic interventions, through the Healthy Living Center or Carewise. In addition to possible monetary incentives for completing the programs (usually $100), you may qualify for discounted prescription drugs to treat these conditions.
Save up to 25 percent on prescription copays
The University’s Employee Pharmacy, housed in the Medical Center, promises potential savings for employees and their families who are enrolled in University health care plans (see "What's New?"). It’s also convenient, with four customer parking spots in the Crittenden Loop (directly across from Helen Wood Hall). Employees covered by the three-tier copay structure under University health care plans, for instance, will receive a 25 percent reduction in copays. To learn more, call 276-3900.
Stay fit with Well-U
An ounce of prevention goes a long way in cutting health care costs and staying well. Well-U, the University’s award-winning employee wellness program, can show you how with offerings like workplace yoga, free flu shot clinics, healthy eating challenges, and more. To learn more, visit www.rochester.edu/working/hr/wellness.
Find the best plan for you
There are online resources available to faculty and staff to help them review their health care costs from last year and to determine which plan offers the right coverage at the right price.
Health Plan Cost Estimator
The online tool will help faculty and staff compare plans and to determine:
- Total out-of-pocket costs they can expect under each University health care plan
- Best overall deal by factoring in paycheck contributions and other costs
- Which plan works best for them based on their specific health care needs
- Out-of-pocket maximums
- Possible tax savings available through a health care flexible spending account.
Accessing your health claim history
Employees can access past claims for themselves and their covered dependents online through Aetna or Excellus—the third-party administrators for the University health care plans.
- For Aetna: employees can review health care expenses through Aetna Navigator, www.aetna.com.
- For Excellus: visit www.excellusbcbs.com.
