Open Enrollment - Health Plan

This pdf plan comparison chart shows plan features for the endowed health plan choices, both in-network and out-of-network. If you download the document to your computer, you can zoom in for better readability. 

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). 

Take these considerations into account when comparing how the plans work:

Aetna Plan Features: Visit the Aetna Benefits Resource Website to learn about Aetna resources and services such as 24-Hour Nurse Line, Teladoc, Aetna Concierge, digital tools, and more.

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.

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 in-network provider. Click here to see if your current providers are in-network. 

Spending Accounts: You have the option to open a medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) as long as you are not enrolled in the HDHP/HSA Plan. If you enroll in the HDHP/HSA plan, you'll be required to enroll in a Health Savings Account. 

Health Savings Account HSA: (only for members of the Aetna Health Savings Account Plan)

• If you're in an HSA, Cornell contributes $1,000 each year into your spending account. 
• This means that if you're covered as an individual, you can contribute up to $3,300; the maximum contribution including Cornell's contribution is $4,300. Families can contribute up to $7,550 -- the maximum contribution including Cornell's contribution is $8,550.
• If you're age 55 or older, you can contribute an additional $1,000.

To waive any of your existing health, dental, and/or vision insurance, you must first complete the enrollment process online in Workday.  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 and/or dental coverage on the health screen. 

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 prescription 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 the medical vendor has 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 within a certain time period of the event. Examples include death, job loss, divorce and marriage.

Reasonable charge

A limit on the amount your health plan will pay. Also called usual, customary and reasonable (UCR), customary and reasonable, or prevailing charge. The limit is based on typical charges for health care services for each zip code. Aetna receives data from Fair Health, an independent organization.