Benefits Open Enrollment: What's New for Non-Union Support Staff (NUSS)

Aetna Dental PPO Maximums

Annual maximums will increase for dental services and new lifetime maximums will increase for orthodontia. Learn more.

Child Care Benefit

The Child Care Benefit will increase to up to $5,000 per year for eligible Non-Union Support Staff (NUSS) effective January 1, 2024. Learn more.

Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

University contributions for Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts will increase for 2024 for both full-time and part-time eligible employees. Learn more.

^{* IRS limits are subject to change.}

All Non-Union Support Staff (NUSS) and their covered dependents enrolled in any of the University’s medical plans are covered by a basic vision benefit through UnitedHealthcare (UHC). This embedded plan provides coverage for eye exams, corrective lenses, frames and contact lenses.

Optional Vision Plan
For enhanced vision benefits, Non-Union Support Staff (NUSS) can elect to purchase optional UHC vision coverage in place of the basic vision coverage for themselves and their covered dependents. You do not have to be enrolled in a medical plan to purchase this optional coverage. 

View the 2024 Vision Plan Comparison Chart.

Contributions are the amount you pay toward the cost of medical (includes prescription drugs and basic vision), dental, and optional vision coverage through pre-tax payroll deductions.

^{Your pre-tax contributions are based on the plan you select, which dependents you cover, and your Annual Benefits Salary, calculated as of July 1. Annual Benefits Salary is the greater of (a) your base salary or (b) your prior 12 months’ compensation from the University as of June 30 each year, including certain approved additional and private practice compensation, excluding any housing allowance.}

Vision Costs

Basic vision coverage is included in medical costs. All Non-Union Support Staff and their covered dependents who participate in Columbia’s medical plan are covered by a basic vision benefit. Learn more.

Dental Costs

Non-Union Support Staff members at Columbia University (both Full-Time and Part-Time) may choose from three dental plans: EmblemHealth Dental Plan, Aetna Columbia Dental Plan (PPO) or the Aetna Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO). Learn more.

The Columbia University Benefits Enrollment System (CUBES) gives you secure access to personalized information about your benefits. CUBES is available 24/7 to enroll online anytime from anywhere during the annual benefits Open Enrollment period.

1. Go CUBES to Enroll
    
2. Log in with your UNI and password
    
3. Confirm access using multifactor authentication (DUO).
   
   <sup>Note: You must enroll in your 2024 benefits by November 17, 2023.
   
   Remember: The choices you make during Open Enrollment will stay in effect all year—unless you experience a Qualified Life Status Change</sup>
    
4. Select "Get Started" to make your elections.
    
5. Be sure to "Checkout" in order to save and submit your elections.

The Benefits Brochure and Open Enrollment website summarize changes to the benefits programs that are available to benefits-eligible employees of Columbia University. This communication is intended to be a Summary of Material Modifications (SMM) to the Medical Plans and other benefits programs. It does not include important information about exclusions and limitations.

For additional details of benefits coverage, eligibility, limitations and exclusions, you must refer to the Summary Plan Description (SPD) and the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC). You may also want to request to receive a paper copy of an SPD, SBC or SMM by contacting the Columbia Benefits Service Center at 212-851-7000.

As a requirement of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Columbia University must provide a SBC to all participants and their dependents. The SBC is designed to provide you with an easy-to-understand summary about a health plan’s benefits and coverage and to help you better understand and evaluate your health insurance choices. You are entitled to receive these Plan documents under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). You also have other important rights and protections under ERISA, which are explained in more detail in the SPDs.

If there are any discrepancies between the information in the Brochure publication, website, or verbal representations and the Plan documents, the Plan documents will always govern. Columbia University reserves the right to change or terminate these benefits Plans at any time. The Brochure publication and website are in no way intended to imply a contract of employment. The Columbia University Group Benefit Plan (the “Plan”) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.