At the beginning of the fall semester, NYU announced that a new High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) will be offered during Annual Enrollment for your 2013 benefits coverage.
What is the HDHP option?
The HDHP will be administered through UnitedHealthcare, like our UHC Choice Plus Advantage and Choice Plus Value Point-of-Service Plans. With the HDHP, the annual deductible will be higher than other medical plans; however, that is only part of the cost you should consider when making your enrollment decision. Another cost to think about is the amount you pay for medical coverage through your payroll contributions. For the HDHP with HSA, this deduction from your paycheck is lower than other medical plans. Compared with the monthly premium for the UHC Choice Plus Advantage Plan, you can save approximately 40% with the HDHP with HSA! The lower premium gives you the perfect opportunity to start saving in an HSA account.
You have the freedom to see any health care provider, including specialists, without a referral, although you will save money if you see in-network providers. This is especially important since instead of a copay, you will be paying the full cost of a doctor’s visit or service until you satisfy your deductible. Once you meet the annual deductible, you will pay a lower coinsurance percentage when you use an in-network provider.
To encourage a healthy lifestyle and active management of your health, eligible preventive care services, such as routine physicals and well-woman exams, are covered at 100%. Some preventive care prescriptions will also be covered at 100%. All other services (including prescription drugs) are subject to the deductible before the Plan pays a portion of the cost. Once you meet the deductible, you and the Plan share the costs of your care (coinsurance).
How does the HSA component help?
If you enroll in the HDHP, you will have the opportunity to open a Health Savings Account (HSA). The HSA is essentially a bank account that allows you to save and pay for eligible health care expenses. Depending on your annual salary, NYU may contribute to your HSA on your behalf! You own your HSA and the account balance rolls over year-to-year. The "use-it-or-lose-it" rule that applies to Flexible Spending Accounts does not apply to HSAs. HSA funds can be used to pay for services until you meet your deductible, pay coinsurance amounts after you meet your deductible, or you can save your HSA balance, let the balance grow tax-free and use it for future health care expenses.
How can I learn more?
By the end of September, this page will be updated and additional e-mails distributed with detailed information about HDHP with HSA at NYU, including deductibles and the four levels of coverage the HDHP offers. Additionally, once Annual Enrollment is underway on October 22, you will have access to the Decision Support Tools in the Benefits Resource Center.
