Open Enrollment - Health Plan
Your Choices:
Which plan is right for me?
You have three Aetna-administered plans to choose from:
- Cornell Program for Healthy Living (CPHL)
- Weill Cornell Medicine PPO (WCM-PPO)
- High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
Questions?
Questions? Drop in to a convenient zoom session with live Cornell benefits representatives:
Plan Details:
How To Compare Plans
This plan comparison chart shows plan features for the endowed health plan choices, both in-network and out-of-network.
Rates For 2027
This pdf rate comparison chart shows rates for the endowed health plan choices by nonexempt staff pay periods (biweekly) and exempt staff and faculty pay periods (semimonthly).
How The Plans Work
Take these considerations into account when comparing how the plans work:
1. Covered Services: All three plans provide comprehensive medical and prescription drug benefits, and cover in-network preventive care at 100%. See the plan comparison chart for an overview.
2. In-Network Providers: All three plans provide you with a choice of where to receive care, but you'll pay less when you receive care from an Aetna participating in-network provider. Click here to see if your current providers are in-network.
3. Spending Accounts:
- If you enroll in the High Deductible Health Pan, you'll be required to open a Health Savings Account (HSA) - even if you contribute $0 - as Cornell automatically contributes $1,000 into your HSA if enrolling during open enrollment (otherwise pro-rated). HDHP plan members cannot enroll in a healthcare FSA in addition to the plan's HSA; however, they can enroll in a dependent care FSA.
- If you enroll in the CPHL or WCM-PPO plans, you have the option to open or re-enroll in a healthcare and/or dependent care flexible spending account during Open Enrollment (or within 60 days of a qualifying life event).
Additional details about the plans can be found here:
Waiving Coverage
To waive any of your existing health, dental, and/or vision insurance, you must go into your Open Enrollment event in Workday, select the "Waive" option for the plans you'd like to drop, and make sure to continue the process through submission and confirmation.
Please refer to the Workday Enrollment Decision Guide for screen-by-screen instructions of how to change your election to “Waive” for your existing health, dental, and/or vision coverage in Workday.
Glossary* of Terms
Here are some common terms you will find in our plan documents and on our web pages.
Aetna also offers a comprehensive glossary on their website (this link will open in a new window).
Deductible
The amount you pay for covered services before your health plan begins to pay.
Dependent
This is a person who is covered by another person’s plan. It can be a child, spouse or domestic partner.
Drug formulary
Also known as a formulary. This is a list of prescription drugs the health plan covers. It can include drugs that are brand name and generic. Drugs on this list may cost less than drugs not on the list. How much a plan covers may vary from drug to drug. An open formulary provides a greater choice of covered drugs. It is also called a preferred drug list.
In network
This means there is a contract with that doctor or other health care provider. There are negotiated reduced rates with them to help you save money. Your out-of-pocket costs are lower when you stay in network.
Lifetime maximum
This is the total dollar amount of benefits you can receive. It can also be the total number of services you can receive. These totals are limits for a lifetime, not just for a plan year. Plans subject to federal health care reform can only have lifetime dollar maximums on non-essential benefits.
Out-of-pocket maximum
This is a limit on the costs a health plan member must pay for covered services. The limit can be yearly or a dollar amount.
Qualifying event
These are events that let members change their health benefits. Examples include birth/adoption, death, job loss, divorce and marriage.
*While every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of these Glossary of Terms, in the event of any discrepancy the Summary Plan Description and Plan Document will prevail.
Watch:
Video Transcript
[Transcript auto-generated.]
Hello and welcome to the 2027 overview of the Cornell Health. Coverage is available to endowed faculty and staff.
There are changes to the Cornell Program for Healthy Living and High Deductible Health plans for 2027. For the CPA plan, the deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums for both in and out of network are increasing. Additionally, the co-pays are increasing from $20 to $25, and the high deductible health plans deductibles are increasing per IRS guidelines. Along with the health savings account, contribution limits are also increasing.
Now let's go over the endowed health plans.
Along with the plans being offered, here are some common insurance terms you may be familiar with. Accumulators refer to the plans deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums. Claims are a formal request to pay for medical services. You have received. Coordination of benefits or COB is the process of determining what insurance carrier pays first. When a member has more than one plan.
An explanation of benefits or EOB shows a breakdown of how Aetna has processed those claims. A participating providers a physician, hospital or healthcare facility that is contract with Aetna and has negotiated rates for services. Your plan year follows a normal calendar year of January 1st through December 31st.
Here are some common terms regarding cost sharing and payment. A deductible is the amount you pay before your plan begins to pay. Cost sharing once you met the deductible, you share the cost with the plan, either with coinsurance or a.
Health plans. Utilize the Aetna Choice POS two network. You can directly access any physician, hospital, or other health care provider worldwide, both in network and out of network for covered services and supplies. Under the plan, you'll pay less when seeking care through an Aetna participating network provider. If your current provider is not part of the Aetna network, you may be requested to pay up front and submit a claim for reimbursement to Aetna and that reimbursement is less than an internet provider.
You can contact Annette and Health Concierge to review your options, including inviting your provider to join the network or how to utilize your out-of-network benefits.
If you are registered for the Aetna member website. When searching for care, you have many options to choose from. You can connect with multiple different providers from the website, or if you are not registered, you can contact the Aetna Health Concierge and they will be happy to assist you.
All three plan options offer telehealth coverage. For the high deductible health plan, you will need to satisfy the deductible before the plan will start to share in the cost of services. The plans also offer virtual options through Teladoc, which provides 24 hour a day, seven days a week non-emergency care at an in-depth work level. Additionally, you can utilize Minute Clinic virtual care for non-emergency care at the end network level.
Both providers, along with telemedicine, allow you to access care that is convenient for your needs.
Cornell offers three virtual programs that are available through Aetna at no cost to you. They are available through your active Aetna medical plan with Cornell University for you and your enrolled dependance. Ages 18 and older. Scan the QR code on the screen to learn.
You also have access to a 24 hour nurse line. You can reach one of our nurses by calling them directly at 1-800-556-1555, or our concierge can get you connected as well. Additionally, this phone number is listed on your ID card. The nurse line is there to support you to be able to answer questions you have about health care decisions.
They do not diagnose or treat conditions, but can offer support with navigating the health care system.
Your Aetna member website or at the health app has multiple different resources at your fingertips. You can access a digital ID card at any time on the website or app, or request a replacement ID card to be mailed to your home address. You can track where you are at for your deductibles and out of pockets. You can search for network providers or facilities.
You can also request appointments with virtual providers. You may file or submit claims online. And finally, you have access to review your prior authorizations. Scan the QR code to download the Aetna Health app.
Aetna is here for you. You can reach your Aetna concierge by calling the number on your ID card, which is 1-877-371-2007, or by logging into your at a member website. Online, you can either chat or email with the concierge for assistance. Thank you so much for taking the time to review. The 2027 health coverage is available to both endowed faculty and staff.
How To Enroll:
Workday Enrollment Decision Guide