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Auburn University has a self-insured group health insurance program for eligible full-time employees with Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama acting as administrator for the processing of medical claims and Uprise Health providing mental health and substance abuse coverage.
Below is a brief summary of the health insurance benefits.
Important Links
Eligibility
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Active full-time, non-student employees are eligible if the most recent appointment period is continuous for a minimum of one year (nine or twelve months as appropriate to the appointment).
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Auburn University also offers health insurance to all employees who work an average of 30 or more hours per week over a measurement period. Student employees and part-time employees who are not benefits eligible, but work an average of 30 hours or more weekly (1,560 hours/year) during a 12-month period, will be ACA-eligible for the Auburn University Health Plan.
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In addition, newly-hired part-time employees who may consistently work 30 hours per week (or 130 hours per month) for the first 90 days of part-time employment will be monitored to determine if they may be ACA-eligible to enroll in the Auburn University Health Plan. If determined to be ACA-eligible, the employee will be contacted directly by Benefits.
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Participation in the program is optional.
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There is no waiting period for pre-existing conditions.
Health Plan Options & Premiums
Effective Jan. 1, 2024: Auburn University will offer two health insurance options:
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The current Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan, and
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The new High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP).
Auburn contributes a portion of the bi-weekly or monthly premium. The employee's share is deducted from their paycheck and is exempt from Federal, State, and FICA/Medicare taxes.
Premium rates for each year are effective from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. These benefits deductions are made on a pre-tax basis.
Learn More About the PPO
Learn More About the HDHP
Enrollment
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New employees must enroll within 30 days of the date of beginning full-time employment.
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Other eligible full-time employees may apply for enrollment during the annual open enrollment period.
Mental Health Wellness
Auburn University offers dedicated resources to sustaining and enhancing the physical, psychological and emotional health of our employees and their dependents.
For additional information, email benefit@auburn.edu.
Employee Assistance Program
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is administered through Uprise Health (formerly American Behavioral). An EAP is a confidential assessment, counseling and referral service for all full-time, benefit-eligible employees and their eligible dependents who need help with issues in life to include:
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Marital and family issues
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Alcohol and other drug dependency
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Stress-related issues
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Financial/legal referrals
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Emotional problems
For more information
Call Uprise at 800-925-5327 or visit the Uprise website. (Company Code: AUBURN)
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Mental health coverage and substance abuse treatment are available to employees, dependents and retirees covered under the Auburn Medical Plan.
Uprise Health assists employees and families by identifying and working through conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention. While our EAP addresses everyday living problems, mental health benefits address clinical issues such as:
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Depression
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Anxiety
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Abuse
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Childhood trauma
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Substance abuse
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Other serious conditions
Mental Health Wellness Resources
Auburn University along with Uprise offer a variety of resources to employees and dependents. These include short videos, longer webinars and articles on a variety of topics to help employees and their dependents of all ages.
Tobacco Premium
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Auburn University employees who are enrolled in the health insurance plan do not have to pay the $20 per month tobacco premium if they certify that they (and their spouse/sponsored adult dependent, if applicable) are not tobacco users.
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Employees must certify their tobacco use status to Human Resources to avoid paying the premium. (An employee only has to certify once. Re-certification is not required.)
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As an alternative, the employee and/or spouse/sponsored adult dependent may complete the Pack It Up program, which is available through the Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care Center, to avoid paying the premium. Contact the AUPCC at 334-844-8348 for more information.
Baby Yourself
PPO Only - Auburn University will waive the $300 inpatient hospital deductible and calendar year deductible (or remainder of deductible at time of admission) through the end of the calendar year for covered members, spouses, and dependents who enroll in Baby Yourself during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Baby Yourself offers individual care by a registered nurse. Call 1-800-222-4379 (or 733-7065 in Birmingham) for more information.
Key Documents
2023 Documents
2024 Documents
International Travel
Auburn University Health Plan participants can carry their healthcare benefits with them through Blue Cross and Blue Shield Global.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama partners with the other Blues to provide this service for employees and the covered members of their family at no additional charge. This resource, BCBS Global Core, provides instructions for accessing medical care while traveling internationally.
International Travel - University Business
Employees traveling outside the United States on University business should complete the Banner RAT50 on-line form in AU Access> Employee>self serve> RAT50.
Upon completion of the RAT50, with all approvals, the employee will be enrolled in the AU International Travel Emergency Plan with CISI/ AXA Assist and will be sent a CISI welcome package via email.
The employee should follow the directions and download the CISI Traveler app. This app will contain the employee's insurance card, benefits and claim info. For more information email rat50@auburn.edu.
Dependents (spouse, children) who travel with the employee can also be enrolled in this insurance by completing the Banner RAT50 dependent form.
Travel Assistance (Domestic and International)
Standard Insurance, our provider for Group Life Insurance and Optional Voluntary Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), also provides Travel Assistance to all employees who are covered by the Group Life Insurance. Additional information
Coverage Continuation
COBRA
Continuation of your group health benefits as provided by the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986 is available for employees, spouses, and dependents after certain qualifying events occur. Additional information including cost and application for applying for coverage is available online.
Family Medical Leave Act
Employees approved for leave under the Family Medical Leave Act will be permitted to continue their group health insurance coverage with no change in premium in accordance with the University's policy and procedures.
Coverage Termination
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Upon termination of employment an employee and his/her dependents will be covered for the time period for which his/her last premium was deducted. Coverage shall cease automatically and without notice unless coverage is continued under COBRA.
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The coverage of the spouse of an employee shall terminate automatically and without notice as of the date of divorce or other termination of the marriage, and on such date the spouse shall cease to be a member unless coverage is continued under COBRA.
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The coverage of a child as a member shall terminate automatically and without notice as of the date such child ceases to be dependent unless coverage is continued under COBRA.
