What's New In 2024
All New Benefits
Download the 2024 Benefits Brochure in PDF format.
Updates to Benefits
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 Officers effective January 1, 2024. Learn more.
HDHP Deductible & Out-of-Pocket Maximums
The 2024 HDHP deductible and out-of-pocket maximums are changing due to IRS regulations. HDHP members will receive new UHC ID cards. Those who elected paperless will receive only a digital ID card. Learn more.
Tuition Scholarship Tracking
Register with EBPA to track the status of your Primary Tuition Scholarship or College Tuition Scholarship applications. Learn more.
Important Reminders
Review Beneficiaries
Update your beneficiary information for life insurance (CUBES) and retirement plans (TIAA/Vanguard).
Qualified Life Status Change
You can update benefits elections on CUBES if you experience a Qualified Life Status Change event such as marriage or divorce, or birth or adoption of a child. You have 31 days from the eligible event to make updates. Learn More.
Make Catch-up Contributions to the VRSP
If you are age 50 or older (or will turn 50 in 2024), you can contribute an additional $7,500 pre- or post-tax to your Voluntary Retirement Savings Program (VRSP) account, for a total of $30,000 in 2024.*
Learn About Tax Savings Accounts
All tax savings accounts can save you money by setting aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to pay for expenses you will incur throughout the year. These include a Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program (T/PRP), Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HC FSA), Health Savings Account (HSA), and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DC FSA). Learn More.
2024 Tax Savings Accounts
* IRS limits are subject to change.
Columbia University is committed to sponsoring health care benefits that meet the needs of you and your dependents. The changes you make when you enroll will go into effect from January 1 through December 31, 2024, or the last day of the month you transition to a status that is ineligible for coverage.
Compare Plans & Evaluate Costs
How to Choose a Medical Plan
Compare Medical Plans
Only you can decide which coverage levels are best for you and your family. Below is an overview of the four medical plans, all administered by UnitedHealthcare (UHC), to consider before enrolling.
View the 2024 Medical Plan Comparison Chart.
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
The HDHP has low monthly contributions in exchange for a higher deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. If you elect the HDHP, you can enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA), a portable, personal savings account that lets you set aside pre-tax dollars to use for eligible healthcare expenses now or in the future. Note: If you enroll in the HSA, you cannot enroll in the Healthcare FSA at the same time.
Choice Plus 80
Other than preventive care and copays, for most in-network medical services you must meet an annual deductible of $600 per member before the Choice Plus 80 plan pays the coinsurance of 80% of the negotiated fee; you are responsible for the remaining 20% of the coinsurance. After you reach the in-network out-of-pocket maximum of $3,750 for an individual and $7,500 for a family, the plan pays 100% of covered in-network medical charges and prescription drug copays for the remainder of the calendar year. Most out-of-network services are covered at 60%* after the annual deductible of $850 per member.
Choice Plus 90
Other than preventive care and copays, for most in-network medical services you must meet an annual deductible of $400 per member before the Choice Plus 90 plan pays the coinsurance of 90% of the negotiated fee; you are responsible for the remaining 10% of the coinsurance. After you reach the in-network out-of-pocket maximum of $3,250 for an individual and $6,500 for a family, the plan pays 100% of covered in-network medical charges and prescription drug copays for the remainder of the calendar year. Most out-of-network services are covered at 60%* after the annual deductible of $850 per member.
Choice Plus 100
Other than preventive care and copays, for most in-network medical services you must meet an annual deductible of $200 per member before the Choice Plus 100 plan pays the coinsurance of 100% of the negotiated fee. After you reach the in-network out-of-pocket maximum of $4,750 for an individual and $9,500 for a family, the plan pays 100% of covered in-network medical charges and prescription drug copays for the remainder of the calendar year. Most out-of-network services are covered at 60%* after the annual deductible of $850 per member.
Compare Vision Plans
All Officers 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, Officers 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.
Medical Costs
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.
2024 Monthly Medical Contributions for Full-Time Officers
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.
2024 Monthly Medical Contributions for Part-Time Officers
Dental & Optional Vision Costs
Dental Costs
The University offers two comprehensive dental plans: Aetna Columbia Dental Plan (PPO) and Aetna Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO). These two plans have the same range of services but differing costs depending on the providers you see and the Plan you select. Learn more.
2024 Monthly Dental Contributions
Vision Costs
Basic vision coverage is included in medical costs. All Officers 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. Learn more.
2024 Monthly Optional UHC Vision Contributions
Enrollment Information
Questions?
Columbia Benefits Service Center
Contact:
212-851-7000
[email protected]
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What Happens If I Don't Enroll
You will no longer have coverage for:
- Healthcare FSA
- Dependent Care FSA
- Child Care Benefit
- Health Savings Account
You will also be ineligible to newly enroll in the following Voluntary Benefits:
- Accident Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Identity Theft Protection
- Legal Services with MetLife
- Universal Life with long-term care insurance
You will be automatically re-enrolled in your current year benefits:
- Medical
- Dental
- Optional Vision
- Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program (T/PRP)
- Life Insurance (Optional, Spouse and Child)
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
- Optional Long-Term Disability
- Voluntary Benefits
How to Enroll in Benefits
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.
- Go CUBES to Enroll
- Log in with your UNI and password
- Confirm access using multifactor authentication (DUO).
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
- Select "Get Started" to make your elections.
- Be sure to "Checkout" in order to save and submit your elections.
Disclaimers
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.
Your Benefits
Columbia University offers a range of benefits to help you and your dependents stay healthy, build long-term financial security, meet educational and professional goals, and more. Explore your options for health coverage, tax savings, life insurance, and voluntary benefits.