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Working at Cornell

Endowed Health Care

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Benefits-eligible faculty and staff in the Endowed benefits program can enroll themselves and their families in the healthcare plans below.

Premiums are deducted through payroll and vary in cost depending on the medical, dental and vision plan and the specific tier you select.

COVID-19 Updated benefits information: The Federal government has announced the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) will end May 11, 2023. Please review changes to various special benefit provisions. 

Endowed Plans

Aetna Medical Plans

Cornell offers three medical plan choices through Aetna, Inc. as part of our endowed benefits. The medical plans include prescription drug coverage through OptumRx.

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OptumRx Prescription Drug Program

If you participate in any of the endowed medical insurance plans, you are covered by the OptumRx prescription drug program. The OptumRx retail pharmacy network includes more than 68,000 participating pharmacies nationwide, including national pharmacy chains and independent community pharmacies.

MetLife Dental Plans

Faculty and staff have 2 MetLife plan choices: Dental Standard and Dental Plus. MetLife’s Preferred Dentist program allows you the flexibility to visit a provider in-network or out-of-network. 

Vision Plan

Endowed faculty and staff who elect to enroll in the Davis Vision Plan can access care through the Davis Vision network of private practice doctors or select retail partners. The Davis Vision Plan provides coverage for eye exams, eyeglasses, frames or contact lenses.

Eligibility

Endowed benefits-eligible* faculty and staff members and their applicable dependents. Please review each benefit plan for additional information.

*If you, the employee, are uncertain of your eligibility status for this benefit, please contact your HR representative to review.

Endowed Effective Dates

Details about when medical, dental and vision plan coverage begins or ends and when payments are deducted from your paycheck if you enroll or make a change to your plan.

Benefits eligible faculty and staff members have three opportunities to enroll in or change their benefit plan elections when applicable for medical, dental and vision.

  1. Within 60 days of the date of hire in a benefits-eligible* position
  2. Within 60 days of a Qualifying Events
  3. During the Fall annual open enrollment period

Medical

    • If your date of hire or qualified event falls within a pay period, the effective date of coverage is your date of hire or the qualifying event date. The premium deduction date is the first of the pay period following your effective date of coverage.
    • If your date of hire or qualified event falls on the first day of a pay period, the effective date of coverage and the premium deduction date is the same as your date of hire or the qualifying event date.

    Dental/Vison

    • If your date of hire or qualified event falls within a pay period, the effective date of coverage is and the premium deduction date is the first day of the pay period following your date of hire or qualifying event date.
    • If your date of hire or qualified event falls on the first day of a pay period, the effective date of coverage and the premium deduction date is the same as your date of hire or the qualifying event date.

     Retro Effective Premium Deductions

    Medical, dental and vision premiums are withheld on a pre-tax basis; if needed, double premium deductions are taken until you are current. Please see the below examples of how a retro effective date for a qualifying event would impact your payroll deductions.

    Qualifying event example

    You, the employee, are married on April 10, 2023, and submit a change through Workday from individual to family coverage on May 20, 2023, the effective date of change are as follows:

    Medical
    • Biweekly: the effective date of change for coverage is April 10, 2023 and the deduction date is April 20, 2023 (the first day of the pay period following the qualifying event). Once processed, any premiums missed retro to the deduction date will be double deducted until caught up.
    • Semimonthly: The effective date of change for coverage is April 10, 2023 and the deduction date is April 16, 2023 (the first day of the pay period following the qualifying event). Once processed, any premiums missed retro to the deduction date will be double deducted until caught up.
    Dental/Vision
    • Biweekly: the effective date of change for coverage is April 20, 2023 and the deduction date is April 20, 2023 (the first day of the pay period following the qualifying event). Once processed, any premiums missed retro to the deduction date will be double deducted until caught up.
    • Semimonthly: the effective date of change for coverage is April 16, 2023, and the deduction date is April 16, 2023 (the first day of the pay period following the qualifying event). Once processed, any premiums missed retro to the deduction date will be double deducted until caught up.

    Terminations

    You have coverage through the last day of the pay period in which you terminate employment.

    • Biweekly qualifying event example: If your last day of work is July 1, 2023, the last day of actual coverage is July 12, 2023.
    • Semimonthly qualifying event example: If your last day of work is July 1, 2023, the last day of actual coverage is July 15, 2023.

    While every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of this Summary, in the event of any discrepancy the Summary Plan Description and Plan Document will prevail.