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Please be aware of these benefit improvements and additions, including telemedicine, telecounseling, and financial assistance, now available to Cornell benefits-eligible employees.
Scroll to bottom for FAQs.
eni Confidential Counseling Services – 1-800-327-2255 – provides services at no cost for up to three visits to benefits eligible employees and family members. Available 24/7, licensed mental health professionals provide phone or in-person counseling for a variety of stressors and needs.
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program – fsap@cornell.edu, 607-255-2673 - benefits eligible employees, retirees, and spouses/partners may contact the FSAP by phone to obtain free support. If the volume of calls exceeds the FSAP’s ability to respond in a timely fashion, please consider contacting ENI (above). FSAP is now offering virtual sessions for employees.
Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic (pdf)– guidance from the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
Aetna continues to cover services at 100% (in-network) related to Covid19 Telemedicine and/or outpatient Behavioral & Mental Health Telemedicine.
Telemedicine services other than Covid19 and/or Behavioral Health revert to normal co-payments/coinsurance, based on medical necessity and participating provider network:
We encourage you to consult with OptumRx’s customer service center for coverage questions and more specific detail (866) 533-6977
Fees and delivery perimeter vary:
Delivery fees are not covered by Endowed or Contract College Health Insurance Plans nor are they eligible expenses for Flexible Spending Accounts. Cornell Endowed Health Plans (OptumRX) and Contract College Plans offer mail order options for long-term maintenance medications. However, 5-14 days must be allowed between the physician sending a new prescription and the receipt of the medication.
Empire offers LiveHealth Online to allow you to access care on your smartphone, tablet or personal computer, with a board-certified doctor or licensed therapist. There is no copay for in-network providers. If using out-of-network providers, reimbursement is 80% of reasonable and customary charges after deductible. Empire does not maintain a list of providers who have agreed to offer telehealth but you can speak to your provider to see if they offer telehealth services. To register for LiveHealth Online, go to www.empireblue.com/nys to access and enter your Empire Plan identification number and name exactly as they appear on your identification card. This will ensure you and your covered dependents receive care, free of charge.
HMO-Blue CNY offers MDLive to allow you to access care on your smartphone, tablet or personal computer, with a board-certified doctor or licensed therapist. There is no copay for in-network providers. Instructions on how to register for MDLive and schedule a visit can be found at https://www.excellusbcbs.com/find-a-doctor/telemedicine.
MVP offers myVisitNow to allow you to access care on your smartphone, tablet or personal computer, using in-network providers, with a board-certified doctor or licensed therapist. There is no copay for in-network providers. To register, log in at https://myvisitnow.com/landing.htm, and choose My Account.
Empire Plan has implemented early refill overrides and/or extended-day supply requirements on 30-day prescription maintenance medications consistent with the CDC recommendation to have a 1-month supply of medication on hand. Member cost sharing will apply as normal. Members with a mail-order benefit taking maintenance medications are encouraged to take advantage of receiving a 90-day supply of medication through the Mail Order pharmacy mailed directly to their home.
(Same as Empire Plan)
(Same as Empire Plan)
Fees and delivery perimeter vary:
Delivery fees are not covered by Endowed or Contract College Health Insurance Plans nor are they eligible expenses for Flexible Spending Accounts. Cornell Endowed Health Plans (OptumRX) and Contract College Plans offer mail order options for long-term maintenance medications. However, 5-14 days must be allowed between the physician sending a new prescription and the receipt of the medication.
See below for:
|
Retirement Plan |
CARES Act - Withdrawal Access |
CARES Act -Loan Access |
CARES Act -Loan Payment Deferral/Suspension |
|
Cornell University Retirement Plan (CURP) – Endowed Employees Only |
Yes |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Cornell University Tax-Deferred Annuity Plan (CUTDAP) – Endowed and Contract College Employees |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
eCornell 401(k) Plan -eCornell Employees Only |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
New York State and Local Retirement System (NYS ERS) – Contract College Employees Only |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
SUNY Optional Retirement Program (SUNY ORP) - Contract College Employees Only |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
If you experience a financial loss or hardship due to COVID-19, you may request a withdrawal from Fidelity Investments and/or TIAA to meet that financial need. Withdrawals are processed directly with the provider after the participant certifies they have suffered a loss/hardship. The maximum withdrawal is 100% of account balance, up to a maximum withdrawal of $100,000, in total, from all plans and all providers.
The withdrawal option is available until December 30, 2020, and does not carry any early withdrawal penalties. PLEASE NOTE: For processing of CARES Act Withdrawal applications, the following deadlines for Fidelity Investments and/or TIAA apply:
|
Service Providers |
Application Deadline |
Method |
|---|---|---|
|
Fidelity Investments |
10:00 a.m. EST on December 30 |
Please submit completed Fidelity form application to car322@cornell.edu |
|
TIAA |
1:00 p.m. EST on December 24, 2020 |
Online: https://www.tiaa.org/public/land/cornell_retirement_plans, or by phone: 1-800-842-2776 |
There are many provisions and stipulations regarding the withdrawal, its 3-year taxability, and opportunities you have to redeposit the money back into the plan(s) within 3 years. Taking a withdrawal is an important decision/consideration, and you should ensure you fully understand the implications of this access to your retirement funds. We encourage you to discuss this option with your personal accountant, tax advisor or retirement plan advisor and with the providers, prior to taking action.
For plan loans made to a qualified participant from March 27, 2020, to September 22, 2020, the total loan limit is increased up to the lesser of: (1) $100,000 (minus outstanding plan loans of the participant), or (2) the participant's vested benefit under the plan. As in current loan processing provisions, participants work directly with either Fidelity Investments and/or TIAA (as applicable) to discuss and process the loan request. Current rules regarding maximum number of loans per participant still apply.
Additional loan deferment/suspension options are available; if a loan is outstanding on or after March 27, 2020, and any repayment on the loan is due after March 27, 2020, that due date may be delayed under the plan for up to one year. Any payments after the deferment/suspension period will be adjusted to reflect the delay and any interest accruing during the delay. As in current loan processing provisions, participants work directly with either Fidelity Investments and/or TIAA (as applicable) to discuss any questions related to repayment schedule and loan deferral.
|
PROVIDER |
PHONE CONTACT |
WEB ADDRESS |
|
Fidelity Investments – Cornell
|
1-800-343-0860
|
|
|
Fidelity Investments – eCornell
|
1-800-343-0860
|
https://nb.fidelity.com/public/nb/default/home
|
|
New York State and Local Retirement System (NYS ERS)
|
1-866-805-0990 |
https://www.osc.state.ny.us/retire/retirement_online/customers.php
|
|
SUNY Optional Retirement Program (SUNY ORP) (various providers) |
N/A |
https://www.suny.edu/retirement/orp-vendors/
|
|
TIAA
|
1-800-842-2776 |
Fidelity Investments
http://www.coronavirusguide.netbenefits.fidelity.com/
NYSLRS (NYSERS)
https://www.osc.state.ny.us/covid-19/financial-toolkit.htm
TIAA
https://www.tiaa.org/public/learn/prepare-unexpected/guiding-you-through-turbulent-times
Most the health care plans, including those through Aetna, Empire, HMO-BLUE-CNY and MVP have agreed to waive various co-payments related to COVID-19 testing, and in some cases, co-payments or other cost-sharing related to COVID-19 treatment, at least through in-network providers and facilities.
As each vendor administers their own plan design and has determined/established the period during which it will apply the COVID-19 testing/treatment co-payment waiver, we encourage you to consult with the customer service center of your enrolled health plan for more specific details.
Similarly, most plans have waived the mandated 30-day wait before medications can be refilled. Often referred to as ‘early fill’, you may wish to confirm with your pharmacy and/or medical vendors to determine if this benefit applies to you and your specific medications/plan.
MetLife will be applying a credit to Endowed dental participants for their premiums paid in April and May. This 25% credit for each month is expected to appear in the second biweekly check in June and first semi-monthly check in July.
In these uncertain times during the pandemic, Mercer’s voluntary auto insurance carriers have announced auto relief credits for current participants.
Liberty Mutual will provide a credit of 15% for April and May participants. Two checks will be received – one in mid-May (for April) and one in mid-June (for May). Payroll deductions will continue as normal.
Travelers will provide a credit of 15% for April, May and June participants. Three checks will be issued – one in mid-May (for April) and one in mid-June (for May), and one late June (for July). Payroll deductions will continue as normal.
Progressive will provide a 20% credit for participants – to be reflected in the June bill. Currently all participants are direct-billed; payroll deduction is not available.
MetLife will be providing an auto premium relief to Auto customers like you, who had an active policy as of May 31, 2020. The adjustment will be applied to your remaining policy balance, with adjustments to your payroll deductions on a go-forward basis. Your deduction each check will be adjusted to account for the lower premium balance, and you will see the new deduction amount reflected in your paycheck on 6/25 for bi-weekly or 6/30 for semi-monthly. The amount of the auto premium relief will be 30% of your May premium for New York customers or 15% of your April and May premium for all other states.
You should have received a letter MetLife sent to all auto insurance policyholders in late May regarding the premium adjustment. If you have questions concerning the impact to your premium or policy renewal date, please call Mercer, the administrator for the voluntary plans, at 1-800-553-4861.
The “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021” was signed on December 27, 2020 . Since December, the 5600 pages of the Act have been further clarified and defined, and at this time we would like to share the provisions of the Act being offered to Cornell faculty and staff – and the impact of those provisions on Flexible Spending Accounts.
You may want to reconsider your expenses and needs for child care in 2021, to determine if you need your full election for 2020 and 2021 to use against 2021 expenses.
Should you wish to make a change (increasing or decreasing) to your FSADC in 2021, ONLY your voluntary contribution is in Workday. YOU WILL NOT enter or make changes to your Child Care Grant in Workday. For any questions on the Child Care Grant, please send an email to childcare@cornell.edu.
First, access your Benefits icon via Workday:
PLEASE BE AWARE OF TIMING IMPACTS: Changes you enter into Workday (whether additions, changes or terminations) will need to be validated and approved BEFORE they will be effective. Due to the volume of submissions and the need for Benefits to validate your new election, your year-to-date contributions, and your claims submitted/reimbursed at PayFlex, it may require a full pay-cycle or more to be effective. We encourage you to submit your elections more than one-week before your next paycheck, and allow for up to two paychecks for it to be effective.
We hope that this information has been helpful in clarifying the complicated options under the “Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021”.
After reviewing your current accounts and needs, if you still have additional questions, please contact us at the HR Services and Transitions Center (HRSTC), at (607) 255-3936 or via email: hrservices@cornell.edu.
Yes, your plan covers you for virtual and non-virtual medical visits, if required. You also have additional coverage, at no-cost, related to COVID19 testing and/or certain treatment (when seeing a participating provider). You should reach out to your medical provider to learn more about their office protocols to meet your needs during these times. Specific coverage questions should be directed to the customer service number on the back of your medical ID card.
Learn more about your specific health plan benefits, including telemedicine and telecounseling, available to Cornell benefits-eligible employees See more information under the endowed health and contract college health tabs above.
If you have health bills related to COVID-19 expenses, you should submit those under traditional health care coverage. Testing and treatment received for COVID-19 from in-network providers will be covered at no cost to members. All other health care expenses (non-COVID-19 related) will be covered, subject to medical necessity, in-network vs. out-of-network coverage, deductibles, co-payments, and out-of-pocket expenses.