HEALTH INSURANCE

Because Brown University cares about the health and welfare of its employees, the University offers health insurance coverage to all eligible employees. Health insurance benefits help offset the expenses that may accompany the cost of an illness or injury.

Eligible employees' paychecks are generally reduced on a pre-tax basis by the amount of their appropriate health insurance contribution. This pre-tax plan is governed by Internal Revenue Service regulations and, as a result, there are certain limitations on an enrollee's ability to make changes to coverage levels during the year. Under certain circumstances, it may be necessary or desirable to deduct premiums on a post-tax basis.

An Open Enrollment period is usually held on an annual basis (during the fall), at which time employees can change their level of coverage and/or health insurance carrier.

HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS

Brown University offers the health insurance plans listed below to eligible faculty and staff:

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island - HealthMate Coast-To-Coast 100/80 (comprehensive coverage);
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island - HealthMate Coast-To-Coast 80/60 (catastrophic, high deductible coverage); or
UnitedHealthcare of New England, Inc. - Choice Plus (comprehensive coverage)

All plans have an in-network and an out-of-network option. In-network services require a nominal copayment; out-of-network services involve claim forms, deductibles, co-insurance and out-of-pocket maximums.

Please note that HealthMate 80/60 is a catastrophic (also referred to as high-deductible) insurance plan that generally has a lower insurance premium than a comprehensive insurance plan because the benefits provided by this type of coverage, for certain types of services, are significantly reduced. Additionally, this type of plan is generally characterized by high deductible amounts and out-of-pocket maximums. Brown offers this type of plan as an alternative to its comprehensive health insurance plans.

There are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions in any of these plans.

ELIGIBILITY

Employees of Brown holding positions on the regular payroll are eligible to elect group health insurance coverage through the University. In addition to themselves, employees may elect to cover:

their spouse or same-sex domestic partner (subject to defined eligibility criteria); and/or
their dependent children

Spouses may include those who are legally married and those who fit the definition of common-law spouse. Dependent children may include the employee's unmarried, natural and/or legally adopted children, or children for whom the employee has been granted legal guardianship. Except in certain circumstances, children must be under the age of 19 or students under the age of 25.

WHEN COVERAGE BEGINS AND ENDS

Health insurance becomes effective the first business day of the month coinciding with, or next following, the date of hire. Coverage ceases at the end of the month in which eligibility ends.

HEALTH INSURANCE BUYOUT

Eligible employees who certify that they are covered by alternate health insurance may be eligible to receive a cash payment if they decline to enroll in a Brown group health insurance plan. This money (referred to as the Buyout) is considered taxable income and is prorated for employees hired after January 1st.