2024 Medical Plan Benefits
Dartmouth offers a choice of three different medical plans. All three plans include prescription drug coverage and preventive vision care. The medical plans are self-insured and administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Cigna). Pharmacy benefits are administered by Express Scripts.
Contact Cigna Health
- 855-869-8619
- https://www.cigna.com/
- https://my.cigna.com
What is Changing in 2024?
Rates - Medical rates will increase by approximately 2.1%. To review an estimate of your 2024 medical rates, access the Benefits Plan Cost Estimator.
Plan Design - The High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) will change per IRS requirements:
- In-network deductibles will increase to $3,200 individual/$6,400 family
- Out-of-pocket maximums will increase to $4,200 individual/$8,400 family
- If you enroll in the Health Savings Account (HSA), maximums for both employer and employee contributions will crease to $4,150 individual/$8,300 family; age 55+ may contribute an additional $1,000.
Other Important Open Enrollment Information
- IMPORTANT - If you do not take action during open enrollment (10/23/23-11/6/23), you will remain in the same medical coverage/tier that you had in 2023. This also means that you will not be able to enroll/cancel and/or add/remove dependents until 1/1/25 unless you have an IRS eligible life event during the calendar year. Life events must be completed within 30 days of the event date.
Create an Account
Cigna manages all three of Dartmouth's medical plans, three different voluntary benefits and the HRA account. By creating an account through mycigna.com you will be able to track medical and voluntary benefit claims, order ID cards, find doctors, compare costs, check your HRA balance and track account accumulators.
1. Go to http://mycigna.com
2. Click on REGISTER
3. Make sure you have your Cigna ID or Social Security number available
4. Click START REGISTRATION
5. Enter your Name, Date of Birth and zip code
6. Answer a question about your membership
7. Enter your ID card number or SSN
8. Enter your zip code
Eligibility and Enrollment
All employees who meet Dartmouth's benefits eligibility guidelines are eligible to enroll in one of Dartmouth's three medical plan options through Cigna Health. But it is important to know that monthly rates can vary based on annual salary and hours worked. Pharmacy and Vision coverage come with the medical plan that you choose.
New Hires may enroll in medical insurance within their first 30 days of enrollment, otherwise existing employees may enroll during the annual open enrollment period held each fall for a January 1st start date. If you do not log in and elect or waive medical insurance as a new employee, you will be defaulted into the Cigna Choice Fund (CCF) plan at the employee only coverage level. Some qualified life events causing a drop in external medical insurance will allow for enrollment in a medical plan for yourself and/or your dependents outside of the annual open enrollment window. Qualified life events must be completed in the FlexOnline system within 30 days of the event.
ID Cards
Please allow 7-14 days from new hire enrollment for new ID cards to arrive in the mail. You will receive an ID card for each covered member of your family. If you lose your ID card, please contact Cigna directly at the number above, or you may access a copy through the Cigna mobile ap.
COVID Related Treatment & Testing
To learn more about what your plan covers for COVID-19, please visit the COVID-19 Benefits Update page.
Understanding your Health Plan
Insurance can be confusing – Please review the Understanding your Health Plan webpage for general information, forms, and definitions before starting the medical plan selection process.
The Plans
Dartmouth offers a choice of three different medical plans. To learn more about a specific plan, please click on one of the links below.
- Open Access Plus Plan (OAP)
- Cigna Choice Fund Plan (CCF)
- High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
- Medical Plan Comparison Chart
Need help selecting a plan?
Dartmouth offers an easy-to-use interactive tool- Ask Emma. When you begin your enrollment in FlexOnline, you'll be prompted for some basic
medical information about you and your family.
All Three Plans Offer...
Before you try to determine the differences between the three health plan options, here are are some similarities across the three plans that you should be aware of:
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Coverage by Cigna Health
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Coverage for medical care, including visits to your doctor's office, hospital stays, mental health and substance abuse services, chiropractic treatment, physical therapy and other services.
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An option to choose a primary care doctor to help guide your care. It's recommended, but not required.
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A national network of providers (Open Access Plus/Carelink), as well as emergency coverage when traveling abroad for personal travel. More information on coverage while traveling abroad.
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No referral is needed to see a specialist, although pre-certification may be required for some services.
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In-network preventive care* services covered at no additional cost to you. Refer to the Summary of Benefits under each plan for a list of covered preventive care services.
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24-hour emergency care, in- or out-of-network.
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Limits on what you'll pay out-of-pocket. Once you spend the annual out-of-pocket maximum amount, the medical plan pays your covered health care costs at 100%.
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No copay or coinsurance (depending on the plan) for care received through Cigna Telehealth Connection.
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No-claim paperwork is necessary when you receive care in-network.
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Access to One Medical at Dartmouth (except when contributing to an HSA).
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Each family member pays toward their own individual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Family limits are in place to help minimize the total amount of deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums that your family would have to pay in a given year.
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The ability to manage and track claims, order ID cards, find doctors, and track account balances through the myCigna.com website.
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Medical plan rates are deducted from your paycheck on a pre-tax basis. Research Fellows pay on a post-tax basis.
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Access to Cigna's Healthy Rewards program
*Some preventive services may not be covered. For example, immunizations for travel are generally not covered. Other non-covered services/supplies may include any service or device that is not medically necessary or services/supplies that are unproven (experimental or investigational).
Open Access Plus Plan (OAP)
Key Benefits on the OAP medical plan
- The deductible and medical copays are the lowest of the three plans.
- If you enroll in the OAP Plan, you can also participate in a Health Care FSA (HCFSA), and or receive a Dartmouth contribution if eligible.
- One Medical at Dartmouth is available as a primary care provider option.
Other Considerations
- The OAP has the highest rates of all three plans.
- Medical and prescription copays DO NOT count toward annual deductibles but DO count toward annual out-of-pocket maximums.
- This plan has additional hearing aid coverage.
J-VISA holders
In order to maintain compliance with the Department of State, employees working for Dartmouth under J-VISA status must be enrolled in a health plan that meets specific coverage requirements. The only plan available to J-VISA holders is a special Open Access Plus plan with a $500 deductible. This plan matches the $600 OAP plan in coverage, pharmacy services, vision services and premium cost, but has a lower deductible.
Please see the JVISA Summary of Benefits provided for a detailed list of covered services. Monthly premium costs match that of the OAP plan on the Benefit Cost Estimator.
Plan Overview
The OAP Summary of Benefits provides a detailed list of covered services.
Cigna Choice Fund Plan (CCF)
Key Benefits on the CCF medical plan
- The deductible and copays are mid-level.
- Dartmouth contributes to an HRA.
- Employee may contribute to an HCFSA.
- One Medical at Dartmouth is available as a primary care provider option.
Other Considerations
- Medical and prescription copays DO NOT count toward annual deductibles but DO count toward annual out-of-pocket maximums.
Plan Overview
The CCF Summary of Benefits provides a detailed list of covered services.
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
Key Benefits on the HDHP medical plan
- The plan has the lowest rates of all three plans.
- Employer may contribute to an HRA or HSA – this is the only plan that allows HSA contributions.
- Employees may contribute to an HCFSA when electing HDHP with HRA.
- One Medical at Dartmouth is available as a primary care option for employees with an HRA.
Other Considerations
- This plan has the highest deductible of the three plans.
- You pay 100% of all medical and prescription costs until your annual deductible has been met.
Plan Overview
The HDHP with HRA Summary of Benefits provides a detailed list of covered services.
The HDHP with HSA Summary of Benefits provides a detailed list of covered services.
Behavioral Health Benefits
Traditional Behavioral Health counseling is available through your Cigna health plan at the cost of a Primary Care Physician (PCP) copay on the OAP and CCF plans while costs are subject to plan deductibles and coinsurance on the HDHP plans.
Out-of-Network Behavioral Health Providers:
Dartmouth College recognizes that there are a limited number of mental health providers in the Upper Valley who participate with health insurance carriers. To improve access to behavioral health care for Dartmouth employees and their families, Dartmouth has worked closely with Cigna to increase the number of Cigna participating providers in the Upper Valley,
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Mental Health Exception Benefit*: Dartmouth has developed a behavioral health exception benefit program for those enrolled in one of Dartmouth's medical plans and are using out-of-network providers. This benefit will cover the first 12 out-of-network behavioral health provider visits at 90% of billed cost with no balance billing. For more information please visit our behavioral health webpage.
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Out-of-Network at In-Network Costs: Starting January 1, 2023, members who have exhausted the Mental Health Exception Benefit, will receive all future out-of-network behavioral health visits processed at the plans in-network deductible/coinsurance or copay amounts (balance billing may apply). This change is in recognition of the ongoing difficulty of receiving in-network behavioral health services in our area.
For additional emotional support tools and resources, like the Faculty/Employee Assistance Program, virtual behavioral care options, free apps, videos and other helpful resources, please visit Wellness at Dartmouth.
* Due to IRS regulations surrounding HSA's, some restrictions do apply to those enrolled in the HDHP with HSA. For more information please visit our behavioral health webpage.
Telehealth
Cigna Telehealth is a resource that allows you to connect with board-certified MDLIVE doctors for help with minor, non-life-threatening conditions through secure video, chat or phone 24/7/365, including holidays! If you are enrolled in the Cigna Open Access Plus plan or the Cigna Choice Fund plan, there is no copay for urgent care services. Telehealth services for primary care and specialty care will be billed at the copay rate on the OAP and CCF plans. If you are enrolled in the Cigna High Deductible Health Plan, the cost is $55 for urgent care services. Costs for primary and specialty care services on the HDHP may differ by service. Get the care you need, including most prescriptions (use of this service does not guarantee that a prescription will be written.)
You can visit your www.mycigna.com to register at Telehealth in anticipation of future use. By registering ahead of time, the process will not be delayed when you need to utilize this benefit.
About Telehealth
Telehealth Behavioral Health Services
MD Live App Instructions
Virtual Health Visits
Virtual health visits can be obtained with both in- and out- of-network providers who are not part of Cigna's MDLIVE Telehealth program. Virtual health visits are billed in the same manner as in-office visits. Virtual health visits with international providers are not covered on any of the health plans.
Cancer Support Program
Whether you have cancer - or are a cancer survivor, you can get one-on-one support with the Cigna Cancer Support Program. From understanding your diagnosis to discussing your health care provider's treatment to celebrate your survivorship, Cigna is here to support you and your family throughout your journey, and help you get the care you need. The Cigna Cancer Support program is part of your health plan and is offered at no extra cost to you. The specialists who help customers in this program have experience as oncology nurses. More information on Cigna's Cancer Support program.
OMADA for Pre-Diabetes
OMADA is a free digital behavioral change program focused on pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome and is offered to members enrolled in a Dartmouth Cigna health plan. The program is designed to help members lose weight and avoid chronic illnesses. Participants receive personalized virtual support along with a digital scale, professional health coaching, social support groups and online training lessons.
View more information on the OMADA Program.
Plan Costs
Health care is a shared expense between the College and employees. It is important to understand that there is a per pay period cost to have your health insurance this is referred to as the premium or rate. Then there is a and then a separate cost to use services through your providers. These costs are usually referred to as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. To fully understand the costs that you will be responsible for, please review our Understanding your Health Plan webpage.
Once you have an understanding of how the three medical plans work and the differences between them, you can use the benefit plan cost estimator to see how much you will pay out of pocket for each of the three plans.
Need help Selecting a Medical Plan?
Dartmouth offers an easy-to-use interactive tool- Ask Emma. When you begin your enrollment in FlexOnline, you'll be prompted for some basic medical information about you and your family.
Ask Emma will then make personalized benefits recommendations. Please keep in mind that your
responses to Ask Emma are completely confidential and will be used only to help you with your decision-making
process.
Please note: Ask Emma is not the ultimate decision maker, you are. So please feel free to try various scenarios and see if Emma changes her recommendation. Remember, ultimately, the final decision is yours.
Ask Emma provides a summary of your benefits and every attempt has been made to ensure its accuracy. Cost estimates are based on national averages and may not directly reflect medical costs in your geographic area. It is important to fully utilize all of the educational tools provided to you prior to enrolling in benefits, including, but not limited to, Ask Emma. This tool may provide estimates or suggestions, but only you can elect benefits to best suit your needs. Ask Emma is not an application for enrollment. Ask Emma does not create, receive, maintain, transmit, collect, or store any identifiable end-user information.Provider Lookup
Use the links below to find local medical and behavioral heal care providers within Cigna's national network. Look for the "Open Access Plus/Carelink" network.
Filing Out-of-Network Claims
- In-Network - When using Cigna's in-network providers, these providers are required to file your medical claims directly with Cigna on your behalf. The provider will submit the claim to Cigna, Cigna will process the claim and pay the provider. The provider will then send you a bill for the remaining portion of deductible, coinsurance or copay that is your responsibility.
- Out-of-Network – Your health plan provides coverage for services from doctors and facilities that
are not in your plan’s network. But if you do receive covered out-of-network care,
your share of the costs (i.e. deductibles, copays or coinsurance) will usually be
higher than if you receive those services in-network. There is a limit to the amount
your plan will pay for covered out-of-network services called the maximum reimbursable charge (MRC). An out-of-network doctor or facility can bill you directly for any amount above
your plan’s MRC. This is often referred to as “balance billing.” You will be responsible
for paying that amount and these payments do not apply to your deductible or out-of-pocket
maximum.
Leaving Dartmouth
COBRA Continuation
Your medical insurance benefits will end on the last day of the month in which you end employment or last day of the month in which you are no longer benefits eligible with Dartmouth College. If are under age 65 and not Medicare eligible, you will be offered continuation of coverage through your rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. For complete information and answers to frequently asked questions about COBRA please visit our Leaving Dartmouth webpage.
What If I Need To Use Medical Services Prior to Receiving/Returning My COBRA packet?
Explain to your provider that you have left your employment or are no longer eligible for benefits at Dartmouth College, and that you are in the process of enrolling in COBRA. Most providers will send a bill to your home, which you can later call and have the claim re-submitted once the COBRA coverage has been established. If you have upcoming services that require a prior authorization, please contact the Benefits Office at 603-646-3588 for an expedited enrollment.
What If I Need a Prescription Prior to Receiving/Returning My COBRA packet?
Prescription drugs must be paid out of pocket and will only be reimbursed at the Express Scripts "allowed" amount. However, most pharmacies will reimburse the overpayment, if you return within 14 days with your pharmacy ID number and original receipt. Please speak with your pharmacy about their process in these cases and what they will allow. If you have an urgent situation, please contact the benefits office at 603-646-3588.
Transitioning to other coverage
If you take regular maintenance medications, we highly encourage you to fill a 30-to-90-day prescription just prior to your coverage ending here at Dartmouth. This will allow time for your new coverage to be established before having to request your next refill.
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