During Open Enrollment, Columbia University Benefits hosts free on-site events for faculty and staff to help you understand your benefits and health.
The Benefits Expos feature Human Resources representatives and vendor partners who assist with information and questions about your benefits. See below for the list of partners who will be in attendance for the 2026 Open Enrollment season.
The events will also have biometric screenings, flu vaccines, ergonomics, acupuncture, chair massages, and more!
Schedule of Events
Thank you to all those who attended this year's Benefits Expos and Health Screenings!
Remember to make any changes to your 2026 benefits by Friday, November 21.
Screening Information and Resources
Vendor Participants
Vendor Participants
After your preventive screening, stop by the benefits vendors to speak with specialists from Columbia Benefits along with representatives from plan providers.
Human Resources – Benefits Representatives
Columbia University offers a full range of benefits to help you and your eligible dependents stay healthy, build long-term financial security for retirement, and meet educational goals. Representatives from CU Health and Welfare, Tuition, and Retirement will be available for any questions.
UnitedHealthcare
Columbia University offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well and protect yourself and your family. The benefits package includes competitive high-quality healthcare benefits, wellness programs, and resources from UHC. Speak to a UnitedHealthcare representative at the event and see what options are available for 2026.
Columbia Doctors
We are leading the way and delivering today's most advanced care. We can help you and your family to thrive, at convenient locations throughout the tristate area. Stop by to learn more about the excellent primary and specialty services provided by ColumbiaDoctors.
ColumbiaDoctors - The Hypertension Center
The Columbia Hypertension Center offers comprehensive, personalized care for all forms of high blood pressure. Services include expert diagnosis and treatment of resistant, secondary, and labile hypertension, as well as white coat and nocturnal hypertension. The Center provides care for both adults and children, with access to specialists across multiple locations in NYC, all coordinated through one easy-to-reach contact point.
Columbia Community Service
In efforts to support the growing and urgent needs of the food pantries that provide critical services to the communities of Morningside Heights and Harlem, Columbia Community Service will hold its annual coat drive this year, from Monday, November 3 to Monday, December 15, 2025. Take a look in your closet—if you or a loved one has any new or gently used coats or jackets you no longer wear, please consider donating them! Stop by and drop them off to support a great cause.
Columbia College of Dental Medicine
Take the opportunity to speak with and learn about the comprehensive, personal care offered by the Columbia College of Dental Medicine. Our state-of-the-art services put all the specialties you need in one place.
Aetna
The University offers two comprehensive dental plans through Aetna. Both plans cover the same range of services, but differ in cost depending on the plan you choose and the provider you see. Come speak with a representative at the event to learn what is best for you and your dependents.
Bright Horizons: College Coach - Expert College Admissions & Financial Assistance
Offered through Bright Horizons, College Coach provides free, personalized support to active Columbia faculty and staff navigating the college admissions journey with their children. Recommended for parents/guardians of students in grades 9–12, the program connects you with former admissions and financial aid officers from top universities.
College Coach helps you:
- Plan high school courses and extracurriculars
- Navigate college applications and selections
- Explore academic and career pathways
- Understand financial aid options and strategies
Support is available through live events, online tools, and one-on-one guidance—all at no cost.
Chubb NEW!
New Long-Term Care Benefit through Chubb Guaranteed Life with Long Term Care.
All benefit-eligible employees will be eligible for this new benefit during a special one-time enrollment in February/March 2026.
Plan Highlights:
- Designed to help with the cost of services you may someday need at home or in a nursing or assisted living facility due to illness, injury or aging.
- Any coverage not used for long-term care will be paid to beneficiaries as life insurance.
- You can elect coverage for yourself and your spouse/partner.
- Portable, so you can keep it if you leave Columbia or retire.
EBPA (Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program)
EBPA's Parking and Transit Benefits are a great way to save money while commuting or parking for work. If you take public transportation to work or pay for parking, EBPA can help you save them money by paying Parking and Transit expenses with pre-tax dollars. EBPA makes it quick and easy for your employees to pay for eligible transit and parking expenses. Access real time account balances and activity, you decide how much money to load on your cards, up to the maximum allowed on a monthly basis.
EmblemHealth Dental
EmblemHealth Dental is a provider for staff members in Local 2110, SSA, NUSS and TWU. Come speak with a representative at the event to learn more about your benefit for you and your dependents.
Maven
Maven offers comprehensive care across every life stage. From fertility and family planning to pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting, Maven connects you with expert care providers—24/7. With virtual appointments, personalized care plans, and culturally competent support, Maven helps you make confident decisions at every step of your health journey.
Maven Midlife Support is your trusted guide through the unique challenges of midlife. We offer expert-led support on everything from hormonal health and mental wellness to career shifts and life transitions. Whether you're navigating menopause, burnout, or simply seeking a fresh sense of purpose, Maven helps you feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive in your next chapter.
MetLife Auto & Home Insurance NEW!
Obtain auto insurance and home insurance with MetLife. Come speak with a representative at the event to learn more.
MetLife Legal
MetLife Legal Plans offers easy access to the legal help you need for the common legal issues many people face. The legal plan is built around your needs and offers you an experienced attorney network, access to digital tools, comprehensive coverage, cost-effective legal help and more. Speak with a representative from MetLife to learn more about the new Legal Voluntary Benefit.
Family First
MetLife Legal Plans has partnered with Family First to provide customized caregiving solutions. Access digital tools, receive UNLIMITED access to a confidential, multi-disciplinary team of highly trained experts who will examine your unique caregiving situation and create a holistic care plan for your loved one.
Available exclusively to MetLife Legal Plans enrollees. Visit MetLife Legal Services to discuss the caregiving support and resources to connect with your Family First expert.
New York Life (Accident, Specified Disease & Hospital Indemnity Insurance)
Starting January 1, 2026, Accident, Specified Disease, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance voluntary benefits will be provided by New York Life. Come speak with a representative at the event to learn more.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of people in their working environment. The ergonomics program aims to promote comfort and establish safety while empowering your overall well-being in the workspace. Program offerings include engaging university, school, and departmental workshops, ergonomic sweeps featuring mini evaluations for large groups, and one on one evaluations. Visit the Columbia Ergonomics Program for more information.
Stop by to ask questions, gain support, and get personalized stretch and meditation sessions during the event!
One Pass Select
One Pass Select gives you everything you need for a healthy body and mind with the convenience of a single program. With One Pass Select you have the flexibility to try different gyms and fitness classes to find something you love. Choose your membership level and get one easy, affordable plan available to you and eligible family members. One Pass Select gives you access to any gym in your chosen network tier, local fitness studios, and thousands of virtual classes. Grocery and home essentials delivery are included, except for digital tier.
Speak with a representative to see what tier is best for you.
Office of Work/Life
Columbia University's Office of Work/Life fosters the well-being of the Columbia community and its people in their pursuit of meaningful and productive academic, personal, and work lives. Meet our team to learn how we can support you and your family in the areas of early education, child care and schooling, breastfeeding, non-Columbia housing, elder care, back-up care, cultivating well-being, and understanding Columbia's work/life-related policies, benefits, and resources.
Student Loan Assistance with Savi
Columbia University Benefits has partnered with TIAA and Savi to support faculty and staff in managing student loan debt. As a Columbia employee at a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, you may qualify for federal loan forgiveness programs like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
Savi, a social impact company, helps borrowers explore repayment plans and identify eligibility for forgiveness programs. This benefit offers personalized analysis of your loans, guidance on reducing monthly payments, and step-by-step support through PSLF enrollment.
TELUS Health
TELUS Health is Columbia University's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a network of free or discounted services to support your personal success and help with everyday challenges. Access self-help tools, healthy living resources, and legal and referral services. Employees and their household members have six free sessions with a certified counselor per topic.
See how TELUS can meet your needs – come speak to a representative.
Vanguard
Vanguard is a retirement plan provider for Columbia faculty and staff. At Vanguard you're more than just an investor, you're an owner. Our owners have access to personalized financial advice, high-quality investments, retirement tools, and relevant market insights that help you build a future for those you love. Become and owner – come speak to a representative at the events.
TIAA
TIAA is one of the providers of Columbia's retirement planning and financial savings plans. Take charge of your future and learn ways to save and invest to help you prepare for your retirement. TIAA representatives will be on-site to help.
OptumRx
The University prescription plan is administered by OptumRx. OptumRx helps members manage pharmacy benefits without walking into a pharmacy. You can use the app or website to view all your medications, transfer eligible medications to home delivery, refill home delivery prescriptions, check order status, set up automatic refills and more. Come speak to a representative on your prescription service needs.
Verizon
Verizon is one of the providers of Columbia's partners that offer discounts! Columbia faculty and staff are eligible to receive discounts and the account must be in the Columbia member's name to qualify. Stop by to speak with a Verizon representative on-site.
Biometric Screening
Biometric Screening
For all faculty and staff – at no cost you to – biometric screenings are here to help you to understand the state of your health. Keep track of your yearly numbers. You can take the necessary steps to improve them (if needed). This is a simple finger-stick.
- Body composition: Height, weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference
- Blood pressure
- A blood sample to test cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose (sugar) levels
After your health screening, you will receive a personal copy of the results and a health education booklet with easy-to-understand explanations for each test.
For accurate screening results, fasting is recommended, but NOT required. If you eat, you may still get screened.
Skin Cancer Screening
Skin Cancer Screening
Skin cancer screenings will be available only at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. It is highly treatable when detected early. The most common forms of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. There are also a number of less common forms of skin cancer.
ColumbiaDoctors Dermatology is dedicated to the early and accurate detection of all types of skin cancer. We encourage regular skin cancer screenings for all our patients, especially those with a higher risk of developing some form of the disease, such as people with:
- Fair skin
- Many moles or abnormal moles
- A family history of skin cancer
- A history of multiple severe sunburns
- Excessive exposure to sunlight or artificial tanning lamps
Flu Vaccines
Flu Vaccines
Location: Morningside and Manhattanville
No prior registration needed, limited quantities.
Get your free flu vaccine administered by Quest Diagnostics. Seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May. Protection against the flu begins about 2 weeks after administration of the vaccine.
The vaccine is a Trivalent vaccine that offers a broad spectrum of vaccination against three different strains of the influenza virus, including both A & B strains.
NEW *** Flu vaccines do not contain thimerosal ****
Ineligible Groups
Employees that fall into one of the following groups are deemed ineligible to receive a flu shot at a Quest Diagnostics on-site event:
- Those who have had a previous reaction to the flu vaccine
- Those under the age of 18
- Those with an illness and/or fever at the time of vaccination
- Other medical conditions may preclude persons from receiving vaccination
Members falling into one of those groups listed above should consult with their primary care physicians to be vaccinated.
Integrative Therapies Program Events
Integrative Therapies Program Events
Partnership with POWER (Promoting Overall Well-being Engagement & Resilience in Pediatrics) and Integrative Therapies Program
Location: CUIMC, Morningside, and Manhatanville
Acupuncture
Relax deeply with acupuncture, a form of integrative medicine based on the principles and philosophy of traditional Chinese medicine. Acupuncture utilizes single-use, small, fine needles to stimulate "acupoints" located along energetic pathways in the body known as meridians. Join the Integrative Therapies team in our community style acupuncture session! Connect and unwind as we take you on an energetic tour, promoting Qi (vital life force) and blood flow.
Register here for Acupuncture on ELM, log in with your UNI and password. Employees should then go to the Overview & Other Information tab on the ELM registration to access the Consent form.
If you can't make it, please cancel your appointment for another colleague to join.
Chair Massages
Relax and unwind with an upper body chair massage. Massages are scheduled in 10-minute increments and are available as a first-come, first served at the events with an on-site sign-up sheet.
Take a Break
Join us for a restful 30-minute break to release tension, find peace, and experience healing. First introduced in 2020, Take a Break has grown into more than just a time to stretch and meditate—it's a space to pause, reset, and renew your body, mind, and heart.
2026 Open Enrollment: November 10 - 21, 2025
Need more help? Contact the Columbia Benefits Service Center by phone: 212-851-7000, or email: [email protected].