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Health Care Plan

Vanderbilt partners with Aetna to offer health coverage to full-time and part-time employees. Health plan option eligibility varies based on your employment status. Please see below for more details.

Vanderbilt Health Plan Options

Aetna Choice Plan (CDHP)

  • Default plan if you do not complete new hire enrollment
  • Lower monthly premiums
  • Higher deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums
  • Health Savings Account with seed money from Vanderbilt*

For fully benefits-eligible employees, Aetna automatically issues health insurance cards for the Choice CDHP health plan option at the employee-only coverage tier. If you enroll in the Select PPO health plan option or waive health plan coverage, you may dispose of the original ID card that was sent to you.

*For fully benefits-eligible employees.

Aetna Select Plan (PPO)

  • Higher monthly premiums
  • Lower deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums
  • Includes copays for many services
  • Flexible Spending Account available

Both the Choice and Select options:

Refer to the Benefits Overview or the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) for each health plan for more details. For an explanation of the terms above, please refer to the glossary of terms.

Aetna International Plan

The Aetna International Plan is for J1T Visa holders only. For more information, please refer to the International Health Plan page.  

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Premiums

Health care premiums are determined by your Annual Base Benefits Rate (ABBR). For most employees, your ABBR is equal to your annual salary. You can find your ABBR by logging into Oracle, clicking on Personal Information, and then selecting compensation. Health care premiums are broken up into three bands:

Band A: $0-$59,999.99
Band B: $60,000.00 - $149,999.99
Band C: $150,000.00+

Premiums can be found under Quick Links on both the Staff and Faculty new hire pages. Premiums are usually noted as monthly amounts, but if you are paid weekly or biweekly, these amounts will be divided evenly between your paychecks each month. Your personal premiums will also be available in My VU Benefits when you enroll in coverage.

Tobacco Credit

Vanderbilt offers a $20 monthly credit to your health care premiums if you and your covered family members (any dependent covered under your Vanderbilt health care plan) are committed to being tobacco-free. Tobacco-free means that you and your covered family members do not use any form of tobacco, including e-cigarettes. To receive this credit, just indicate your tobacco usage status when completing enrollment in My VU Benefits.

Vanderbilt is committed to a culture of wellness, so if you want to quit using tobacco, there is help available to you. Health & Wellness offers a variety of tobacco cessation resources including self-help, medical and one-on-one coaching services to help support you in becoming tobacco-free. The Quit Rx Smoking Cessation program offers counseling and treatment services, including prescription medication when recommended. More than 500 employees have participated in this program since its launch. Let the program help you begin your plan to quit today. Information can be found on the Health & Wellness Tobacco Cessation Resources website.

Spousal Surcharge

If your spouse has access to health coverage through another employer, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but prefers using the Vanderbilt Health Plan, you will be charged a $100 monthly fee. This fee will not apply if you both work for Vanderbilt University. The fee will be added to your health care payroll premiums. Medicare coverage does not count as employer-sponsor coverage, so no fee will apply.

Vanderbilt has a spousal coverage fee to encourage spouses to take the coverage offered by their employers. We recognize there are circumstances where the Vanderbilt University plan is more attractive – whether for family convenience, providers, or cost. In that case, the $100 per month fee would apply.

Spousal coverage fees are common in employer-sponsored plans, and a $100 monthly surcharge is the most prevalent fee. This surcharge keeps the University aligned with similar-sized organizations and is enough to encourage people to consider other available health insurance options with their employer.

Making changes during the year

If you are paying the fee and your spouse loses coverage with their employer, you can declare a life event on My VU Benefits, and the fee will be waived. You may be audited and required to submit documentation proving your qualifying event. See Life/Work Changes for more information.

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Health Care Plan Eligibility

For information on general benefits eligibility, please visit the Eligibility page.

Fully benefits-eligible (full-time) employees may choose to enroll in either the Aetna Choice CDHP or Aetna Select PPO health plan option and may cover their spouse and/or eligible child(ren).

Partially benefits-eligible (part-time, see below) employees may choose to enroll in the Aetna Choice CDHP, and may cover their eligible child(ren).

Some part-time and temporary employees are also considered partially benefits-eligible, which means their dependent child(ren) are eligible to be covered by the Vanderbilt health plan. Partial benefits eligibility includes employees who are:

  • Regular and term exempt faculty and staff working part-time schedules (less than 30 hours per week / less than 75% of full time)
  • Regular and term non-exempt employees who are regularly scheduled to work at least 20, but less than 30 hours per week (50% time or more)
  • Temporary employees, such as VTS and flex employees who work 30 hours per week or more on average, for any 3 months within a 12-month period
  • Student workers, including graduate teaching and research assistants, professional students, and undergraduate student workers, who work 30 hours per week or more on average for any 3 months within a 12-month period (although students need prior approval to work such hours, may already have other coverage, and should consider carefully before electing employee health care, even if eligible).

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New Hires and Rehires

If you are a fully benefits-eligible employee, you must complete New Hire Enrollment in My VU Benefits within 30 days of your hire or eligibility date (see "How to Enroll" below). As a fully benefits-eligible employee, you will be automatically enrolled in the Choice CDHP medical plan option at the employee only level effective your hire dare. If you do not want coverage or want to change to the Select PPO plan option, you must take action within 30 days of your hire date.

If you are a J1T Visa holder, you will be automatically enrolled in the Aetna International Plan.

If you are partially benefits-eligible, you have 30 days to enroll in the Choice CDHP medical plan option, but you will not be automatically enrolled.

Aetna Services

Vanderbilt partners with Lyra to provide the Employee Assistance Program which provides mental health services to University faculty, staff, postdocs and their families (including spouse and children ages 2 and older). Vanderbilt faculty, staff, postdocs and their families are eligible to receive 12 sessions per household member per year, at no cost to the employee. Please visit  https://vanderbilt.lyrahealth.com/ for more information.

Aetna offers many services to help employees navigate their healthcare including access to behavioral and mental health care, substance abuse recovery and advocacy services. Here are some examples of the programs and services that are part of your healthcare plan at Vanderbilt University.

Aetna Advocates

Program Summary

Contact Information

Autism Advocate

Autism specialists help pair your child with the right providers, answer questions about benefits, and connect you with resources for support

1-866-724-0604

Infertility Advocate

Infertility care specialists help locate in-network providers and explain benefits

Visit AetnaInfertilityCare.com, or call 1-800-575-5999

Transgender Advocate

Personal navigator who can assist with finding providers and explain your costs and benefits

Contact Member Services at the number of the back of your ID Card; advise the representative you would like to speak with a transgender advocate and provide your contact information. The Personal Navigator will contact you.

Behavioral Health/Mental Wellness

Program Summary

Contact Information

Able To

One-on-one meetings with a coach for an 8-week program to help reduce depression, stress, and anxiety

Visit AbleTo.com/Aetna, or call 1-844-330-3648

Alma

Help finding a mental health provider

Visit www.helloalma.com

Array AtHome Care

Behavioral Health Telehealth service - virtual psychiatry

Visit www.arraybc.com/patients/aetna, or

call 1-800-442-8938

Blue Sprig Pediatrics

ABA evaluation and treatment

Visit www.bluesprigautism.com

Brightline Pediatrics

Virtual mental health for teens and children

Visit www.hellobrightline.com/aetna, or call 1-888-224-7332

Brightside

Virtual anxiety and depression treatment for those who are 18+

Visit www.brightside.com/aetna

Charlie Health

Virtual intensive outpatient treatment for teens, young adults, and families.

Visit www.charliehealth.com, or call 1-866-600-9578

CHE Behavioral

Online mental health therapy

Visit www.cheservices.com, or call 1-888-831-2618

Equip Health

Eating Disorder treatment

Visit www.Equip.health, or call 1-855-387-4378

Groups Recover Together

Adult recovery community for opioid use

Visit www.joingroups.com

Headway Health

Assistance finding a mental health provider

Visit www.headway.co

Hopebridge

ABA evaluation and treatment

Visit www.hopebridge.com

Maxim Healthcare

ABA evaluation and treatment

Visit www.maximhealthcare.com

MDLive

Virtual mental heath

Visit www.mdlive.com, or call 1-855-824-2170

Mind Check

Emotional health services

Visit mindchecktoday.com

Meru Health

Virtual care which includes an app-based service offering access to therapy, mindfulness, and exercises

Visit www.meruhealth.com/sign-up/aetna

NOCD

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder therapy

Visit www.treatmyocd.com

Talk Saves Lives

Online therapy

Visit https://www.resourcesforliving.com/talk-saves-lives

Talkspace

Online therapy

Visit www.talkspace.com/aetna

Telemynd

Mental health care for Tricare and Veterans

Visit www.telemynd.com/aetna, or call 1-866-991-2103

Maternity

Program Summary

Contact Information

SimpliFed

Breastfeeding support

Visit www.SimpliFed.com, or call 1-888-458-1364

Menopause

Program Summary

Contact Information

Gennev

Virtual menopause clinic of OB/GYNs and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists apply evidence-based treatments to relieve symptoms in every stage of menopause.

Visit www.gennev.com/aetna

 

Substance Abuse

Program Summary

Contact Information

Bicycle Health

Virtual treatment for opioid use

Visit www.bicyclehealth.com/aetna

Guardian Angel Opioid Use recovery (GAP)

Opioid support

Call Aetna Behavioral Health at 1-800-424-4047

Weight Management/Fitness

Program Summary

Contact Information

LifeMart (discounts)

Discounts for a variety of products and services

Visit your Aetna Member Website at www.aetna.com.  Log in with your user name and password.

Click on the Health & Wellness Tab > Health & Wellness Discounts > Click on any of the Health and Wellness tiles to access the LifeMart Discount Website.

*Please note: These services are covered via Aetna® and Vanderbilt, for employees and enrolled dependents. Access to these services are subject to change. For more information, please contact Member Services at the number on the back of your ID card. Participants in the Aetna International Plan are not eligible for these services. 

Preventive health

Maintaining your health is important, and staying on top of your preventive care services, which are covered at no charge under the plan, can help you stay health. Aetna provides a preventive health schedule to help you keep track of when certain exams and tests are recommended. To view this schedule, visit the Aetna website and look for Health Programs, then select Preventive Health Schedule. Choose your age and gender to find the guidelines that best fit you.

  • Preventive Care Program.Both health plan options include a comprehensive Preventive Care Program that covers such things as annual well-checkups and well-baby visits for covered dependents.

Foreign Travel

Aetna provides coverage while traveling internationally. However, it requires you pay the provider and then submit a claim form to Aetna. Foreign emergency/urgent care claims are paid at the Aetna in-network level of coverage. Foreign non-emergency claims are paid at the out-of-network level, as long as they were medically necessary. Also see the AD&D Insurance page.

COVID-19

Effective May 12, 2022, normal copays and co-insurance will apply for all COVID tests and vaccines. The United States government provides four free tests through 

TN Resources:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center: If you are a Vanderbilt employee or VUMC patient with fever, cough or shortness of breath and are concerned about the coronavirus, call (888) 312-0847 to be assessed. This line is available daily, 7:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.

Visit the Tennessee Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the latest status and recommendations.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.

Learn more on the Aetna website or contact HR at human.resources@vanderbilt.edu

CHIPRA

Special Enrollment Rights under CHIPRA. The Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 (CHIPRA) was enacted by the United States federal government on February 4, 2009. CHIPRA created new special enrollment rights effective April 1, 2009. CHIPRA extended the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through 2013 and renamed it the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Learn more about CHIP. The special enrollment rights under CHIPRA allow the following for qualified Vanderbilt Group Health Plan members:

  • If you or your dependent become eligible for state-granted premium assistance, or you or your dependent's coverage terminates due to a loss of eligibility (as opposed to termination due to failure to pay premiums) under Medicaid, Tennessee's CoverKids program, or a State Children’s Health Insurance Plan, you may enroll in the Vanderbilt Group Health Plan. You must request coverage within 60 days of this special-enrollment qualifying event by making a Family Status Change.
  • If your dependent becomes eligible to receive a premium subsidy from the Child Health Insurance Program, you will be allowed under CHIPRA to disenroll (drop) your dependent from the Vanderbilt Group Health Plan. You must request this coverage change within 60 days of this special-enrollment qualifying event by making a Family Status Change.

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Medicare

  • Medicare and You
  • Medicare.gov
  • Have more in-depth questions? Visit TN SHIP. SHIP is a national program that provides free and objective one-on-one counseling, information and help to people with Medicare, people who may need Medicare, and people looking into Medicare with someone else in mind.

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Resources

Links to Vendors

The Transparency in Coverage final rule, released on 10/29/20, requires health plans and issuers to publicly disclose pricing information via machine-readable files (MRF). Vanderbilt's MRF can be found here

Children up to age 18 under legal guardianship or custody of the employee must meet the definition of dependent under the Federal Tax Code for income tax purposes and be able to show supporting documentation (such as the employee’s claim of dependency for the child on the relevant portion of your most recent IRS Form 1040 federal income tax return) in order to be eligible under the Plan. Children under legal guardianship or custody, who do not meet eligibility requirements above in (a), will lose their coverage eligibility the first day of the month following the month in which they turn 18 years of age (age of majority).

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