HDHP
Auburn successfully introduces a new HDHP option
Beginning with the 2024 benefit year, eligible full-time employees of Auburn University can enroll in either of two health plans:
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A new High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA), or,
The decision to offer an HDHP came after several years of work by UHR and our benefits consultants, along with the AU Employee Pharmacy, campus leadership, and many other stakeholders.
The Benefits team spent much of 2023 educating campus on the new plan, and its implications.
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Approximately 2,000 employees attended a town hall or Open Enrollment meeting where they learned more about the HDHP and HSA.
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Benefits counselors met with over 1,000 employees during Open Enrollment. (In previous years, counselors met with approximately 100 employees.)
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At least 18 campus-wide emails regarding the HDHP and Open Enrollment were shared with employees.
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The HDHP website received over 8,600 page views.
When Open Enrollment ended on Nov. 15, over 800 employees (approximately 15% of health plan participants) selected the HDHP. Nearly 90% of HDHP participants are also taking part in the HSA.
The introduction of the HDHP has been well received by campus. The Benefits team will continue to work with campus leadership, consultants, and others to determine the best ways to control health care costs while ensuring that employees and their eligible dependents have access to the full range of quality health services they need.
Triple Focus
Beginning in 2024, the salary tier structure for the PPO plan has been eliminated. Employees on the PPO plan who make $40,799 or less annually received a subsidy to ensure that their premium increase for 2024 was 4% -- the same percentage increase as for employees who make $40,800 or greater. (Employees making $40,799 or less who chose the HDHP received additional seed money.)
Employees of Auburn and AUM now have the option of purchasing Group Accident and Hospital Indemnity insurance. Accident insurance pays a lump sum if an employee or their covered eligible dependent is injured in an accident. Hospital indemnity insurance pays a lump sum if an employee or their covered eligible dependent is admitted to the hospital. Both options are offered by The Standard.
In the past year, over 20 local businesses have registered to participate in Tiger Perks, the official employee discount program for Auburn and AUM. The program now includes over 200 participating local and national businesses.
