Hobart and William Smith Colleges

FACULTY/STAFF BENEFIT INFORMATION

Medical Coverage

Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield rates will increase by 8.9% for 2024. Faculty and staff will continue to receive comprehensive medical coverage through the Excellus PPO health plan. The summary of the Excellus health plan is at the link below.

2024 Excellus Summary

Guardian Dental and Vision Coverage

There are no plan changes to the Guardian dental and vision plans for 2024. The links below provide access to the in-network provider directory with Guardian for the dental and vision plans. You can visit www.guardiananytime.com.

Summaries of the dental and vision coverage through Guardian can be found at the link below. Log on to Guardian's provider search directory at www.guardiananytime.com to select a participating dentist or vision provider. Or you can call the Members Services number at 800-541-7846.

2024 Guardian Dental Summary
Guardian Dental Provider Directory
2024 Guardian Vision Summary
VSP/Davis Vision Provider List

2024 Rates

For medical, dental and vision 2024 rates please click below.

2024 Faculty/Administrative Rates
2024 Administrative Hourly Rates

OptumRx Prescription Coverage, serviced by RXBenefits

OptumRx will remain as the pharmacy vendor for enrolled participants in the Colleges Excellus medical plan. The current copay structure of $10/$30/$50 for retail and $20/$60/$100 for mail order will remain for 2024.

More information regarding mail order services can be found online. 

Information regarding OptumRx formularies can be found here. OptumRx Specialty Pharmacy, will continue to provide specialty medication to participants. OptumRx Specialty Pharmacy will contact employees who prescribe to specialty medications to inform them of their specific formulary changes and to make them aware of manufacturer programs available to them.

Pharmacy
OptumRx, serviced by RXBenefits
www.optumrx.com
RX Customer Service:  1-800-334-8134
Email: customercare@rxbenefits.com

2024 OptumRx Formulary
2024 Premium Formulary Exclusion List

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

New for 2024
New Flexible Spending Account Administrator: 

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Lifetime Benefit Solutions
www.lifetimebenefitsolutions.com/members/login
Customer Service: 1-800-327-7130

An FSA allows you to set aside tax-free dollars from your paycheck to pay for eligible expenses, including medical plan deductibles, office visit co-pays, prescription drug co-pays, unreimbursed vision care expenses, unreimbursed dental expenses, and the cost of daycare for dependent children. The money reserved for these expenses is exempt from federal, state, and social security taxes. The use of the debit card, where accepted, eliminates the need to wait for reimbursement. For 2024, you will be issued a new debit card from LBS which will be funded with your new 2024 election amount.  Your previous Benny card will be deactivated, and any 2023 claim reimbursements during the allotted time period must be done directly with AleraGroup at Aleraedge.com.

The current 2023 maximum annual medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) annual election is  $3,050, however IRS has not provided updated 2024 limits. The limit for dependent care FSA is $5,000 depending on your filing status.

FSA Qualifying Expense List
LBS Portal Flyer
LBS App Flyer
FSA Kit

Medical Opt Out Stipend

If you have coverage under another medical plan (for example, through your spouse's or partner's employer), you may elect to waive coverage through Hobart and William Smith Colleges. If you choose to waive medical coverage, you will have no medical coverage through HWS. If you are currently enrolled in the Colleges' medical plan and you wish to opt out of the medical plan for 2024 then you will need to actively waive medical benefits via the benefit web portal.

If you are not currently enrolled in the Colleges' medical plan and you wish continue with the lack of medical coverage then your medical coverage will default to Waive Coverage and you do not need to do anything.

HWS provides a Medical Opt-Out stipend for those who waive medical coverage. The 2024 medical opt out stipend is $1,000 and will be paid out on January 19, 2024. The stipend will be paid out during the normal pay cycle and will be subject to regular tax withholdings.

Remember, if you voluntarily waive medical coverage, you also waive your rights to elect medical coverage under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) if you terminate your employment.

Telemedicine

Telemedicine is a convenient way to treat non-urgent medical conditions 24 hours/day. This convenient service allows patients to connect to a doctor in real time using a smartphone, tablet, or computer. A valuable option when you are away on travel, caring for a sick child in the middle of the night or simply unable to visit the doctor's office due to work/school schedules. HWS is committed to supporting faculty and staff to ensure they receive preventative healthcare so telemedicine services are offered with a $0 co-pay which is significantly lower than an in-person visit.

For more information regarding 24/7 Telemedicine please visit this link.

ENI - HWS Employee Assistance Program Vendor

The Colleges EAP provider not only provides counseling services but also child/elder care resources, personal assistance, legal and financial consultations and features a personalized web portal. The BalanceWorks program is a work/life benefit provided to you at no cost and is completely confidential.

You and your family members are able to utilize the BalanceWorks services for confidential assistance with everyday work and family issues as well as more challenging personal concerns.

The information at the link below provides a list of services and contact information:

HWS Employee Assistance Program

Supplemental Life Insurance Programs

Life insurance gives a person a peace of mind, knowing that there is financial protection for one's family after his or her death. The Colleges provide benefits-eligible employees with the following group term life insurance programs. Term life insurance is basically death benefit coverage only for a specified period with no cash value, loan value, or other permanent benefit under the policy.

The Colleges provides employees basic term life insurance in an amount equal to the employee's annual salary up to a maximum coverage of $200,000. The cost of this coverage is paid for by the Colleges.

The Colleges also provide a contributory supplemental life insurance plan. Participation in this plan is voluntary. Under this plan, employees may purchase additional life insurance equal to one, two, three or four times their annual salary. The overall maximum sum of the basic life policy provided by the Colleges and the supplemental life policy is $650,000. Completion of evidence of insurability form may apply.

Supplemental Life Premiums information

Spousal and Dependent Life Insurance

Employees may purchase from a selection of life insurance coverage levels for his or her spouse and/or dependents. Spousal life insurance is available at $10,000, $25,000 or 50% of the employee's total basic and supplemental life coverage (may be required to provide evidence of insurability) up to $100,000. Premiums are age-rated and based on the employee's age. Dependent life insurance is available at a level of $4,000 for dependents age six months to 19 years of age; $100 coverage for children ages two weeks to six months. Premium is a family rated monthly premium regardless of the number of eligible dependents covered. Completion of evidence of insurability form may apply.

Voluntary Protection Benefits from MetLife

MetLife helps fill the financial gap if you or your spouse are unable to work. MetLife plans are guaranteed renewable at the payroll rate. MetLife’s plans are portable. Coverage options and rates available on the benefits portal.

Plans Available:

• Critical Illness - Provides coverage for a variety of critical illnesses including cancer, Alzheimer’s, coronary artery disease, heart attack, kidney failure, major organ transplants and stroke. Employees can choose coverage amounts for themselves, spouses and dependent children to age 26
• Accident Insurance - Provides coverage for accidents occurring on or off the job. Benefits paid include hospitalization, lacerations, fractures, dislocations, burns, x-rays, and follow-up treatments. Elect coverage for yourself, spouse and dependent children to age 26

Accident Insurance Overview
Accident Insurance FAQs
Accident and Critical Illness Insurance Bundle
MetLife Rates