Thank you for attending the Auburn University Virtual Benefits Fair. This is an opportunity for you and your family to learn more about the comprehensive benefit options that Auburn University offers before you complete Open Enrollment. 

Please take all of the time that you need to visit each vendor's virtual booth. (We're here for the entire month of November!) On this site, you can download resources, watch videos, and check out webinar options that will be offered live and on-demand. 

By the way, we haven't forgotten about door prizes! Everyone who attends the fair and completes a brief survey will be entered in a door prize drawing for items offered by our vendors. If you are a winner, the AU benefits team will reach out to you to find out the best way to get your prize to you. 

If you have questions or need assistance please contact benefit@auburn.edu. Again, thank you for participating in the fair!

Find a Vendor

health

Health Insurance

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2023 Health Plan Matrix

AU Health Plan

  • Auburn University offers a self-insured group health insurance program to full-time, benefit-eligible employees.

  • Claims are paid by Auburn through employee and employer contributions. 

  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama acts as the administrator for the processing of medical claims.

  • Additional information about premium increases was shared to employees on Oct. 13.

Did You Know?

  • In 2022, our plan's projected costs will exceed $60 million, with Auburn covering nearly $37 million of the costs.

  • Benefits deductions are made on a pre-tax basis, thus lowering your taxable income.

  • All employees who are enrolled in the health insurance plan receive a $20 per month tobacco discount by certifying that they (and their spouse/sponsored adult dependent, if applicable) are not tobacco users. As an alternative, the employee and/or spouse/sponsored adult dependent may complete the Pack It Up program, which is available through the Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care Center, to qualify for the discount. Contact the AUPCC at 334-844-8348 for more information.

Key Documents

Videos

Copay and Coinsurance: Learn the difference between copay and coinsurance, and check out an example of how coinsurance can be calculated. (1:10)

Primary Care Physician: Learn more about the role of a Primary Care Physician and the benefits of that relationship. (1:07)

 

ER vs. Urgent Care vs. Primary Care: Learn more about the appropriate sites of care, depending on the type and severity of the condition and time that services are needed. (1:17)

What are Drug Lists and Formularies?: Learn more about what a drug list/formulary is and the types of information found within it. (1:00)

Baby Yourself

baby_your_logo.pngOne of the most important things you can provide your baby is a healthy start! The Baby Yourself Maternity Program is provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

This free maternity program includes:

  • A personal nurse to answer questions during and after pregnancy

  • Gifts and educational resources

  • Information on breastfeeding

  • An app to track your pregnancy

Ensure that you and your baby receive the best prenatal healthcare possible by enrolling in Baby Yourself®.

Three Ways to Enroll Today!

  • Call toll-free at 1-800-222-4379. (Available Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST)

  • Enroll online at AlabamaBlue.com/BabyYourself.

  • Download the Baby Yourself App. (Compatible with iOS and Android)

TRS members retiring from Auburn University are eligible to enroll and carry PEEHIP coverage commencing on their date of retirement.

PEEHIP offers coverage for non-Medicare retirees (Blue Cross Blue Shield or VIVA) and Medicare-eligible retirees (UnitedHealthcare effective Jan. 1, 2023) and their dependents.

PEEHIP offers optional coverage for dental, vision, cancer and hospital indemnity administered by Southland Benefit Solutions.

PEEHIP offers a Supplemental Medical Plan for non-Medicare retirees who carry primary health insurance coverage elsewhere that is not PEEHIP – subject to certain limitations.

PEEHIP Member Handbook

vision

Vision Insurance

  • sv-logo-lg.pngMet Life logoVision benefits are provided for eligible employees by Superior Vision and include a comprehensive vision exam and eyeglasses (lenses and frames) or contacts in lieu of eyeglasses. (Met Life will now administer our plan.)

  • Co-pays apply. To learn more about the program's costs, services and other details, visit www.auburn.edu/hr/benefits/vision.html

  • New for 2023: Annual full-time student certification is no longer required for verification of dependent children ages 19-24 covered on dental and/or vision coverage. 

Resources

dental

Dental Insurance

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Auburn University has a self insured group dental program for full-time University employees with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama acting as an administrator for the processing of claims.

The dental plan contains two options from which to choose. A brief summary of the two plans appears below. Participation in the plan is optional. Both options include a 100 percent benefit for basic diagnostic and preventive services, including up to two dental exams per calendar year.

New for 2023

Annual full-time student certification is no longer required for verification of dependent children ages 19-24 covered on dental and/or vision coverage. 

retirement

Retirement Plans

rsa.jpgAll non-temporary employees in at least a 50% time capacity are required to join the Retirement Systems of Alabama (RSA). TRS provides a lifetime, defined retirement benefit paid monthly in accordance with the plan to retired TRS members. All retirement contributions are tax-deferred for federal income tax purposes until retirement or withdrawal from the plan.

Participants are classified as either TRS Tier 1 or Tier 2 members.

Tier 1

  • Participants who became members prior to Jan. 1, 2013.

  • Tier 1 members have a payroll deduction equaling 7.5% (8.5% for certified, full-time firefighters and law enforcement officers) of earnable compensation.

  • Tier 1 members are eligible for retirement benefits with 25 years of service credit at any age, or at age 60 with at least 10 years of service credit.

Tier 2

  • Participants who become members on or after Jan. 1, 2013.

  • As of Oct. 1, 2021, Tier 2 members have a payroll deduction equaling 6.2% (7.2% for certified, full-time firefighters and law enforcement officers) of earnable compensation.

  • Tier 2 members are eligible for retirement benefits at age 62 (age 56 for certified, full-time firefighters and law enforcement officers) with at least 10 years of service credit.

  • Tier 2 members are also eligible to retire with 30 years of service credit at any age, with a 2% reduction to their retirement benefit for each year they lack from being age 62 (age 56 for certified, full-time firefighters and law enforcement officers) at retirement.

Additional Tools

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RSA-1 is a powerful tool to help you reach your retirement dreams. As a supplement to other retirement benefits or savings that you may have, this voluntary plan allows you to save and invest extra money for retirement, tax deferred.

Not only will you defer taxes immediately, your contributions and any earnings will grow on a tax-deferred basis as well. The RSA-1 Plan is an Internal Revenue Code Section 457(b) deferred compensation plan for public employees.

Why Choose RSA-1?

Additional Tools

RSA-1 Overview Video

RSA-1 Website

RSA-1 Member Handbook

AIG.pngAIG (VALIC) offers two plan options to eligible Auburn University employees: the 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity Plan and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. (Both plans have a Roth option.)

Schedule a virtual or phone appointment with advisors Brian Ledbetter or Cindy Haynes.

On-Demand Webinars (select the link to watch)

Additional Tools

Video: How to Enroll (1:06)

fidelity.pngFidelity offers two plan options to eligible Auburn University employees: the 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity Plan and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. (Both plans have a Roth option.)

On-Demand Webinars (select the link to watch)

Fidelity offers webinars on a variety of subjects. Visit https://communications.fidelity.com/tem/WI/webcast/hub/ to review the current offerings.

Some of the on-demand webinars include, but are not limited to the following:

lincoln.pngLincoln Financial is one of the plan providers for Auburn University's 403(b) plan, which has a Roth option.

For questions please contact Carey Beaven, Lincoln's vendor representative, at 404-625-8402 or Carey.Beaven@LFG.com. You can also contact Lincoln's Customer Contact Center at 800-341-0441 (Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m).

Resources

On-Demand Videos

tiaa.pngTIAA offers two plan options to eligible Auburn University employees: the 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity Plan and the 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. (Both plans have a Roth option.)

Visit TIAA.org/schedulenow, or call 800-732-8353 (weekdays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.) to schedule an appointment with a consultant or visit TIAA.org/tools for additional resources.

On-Demand Webinars 

TIAA offers webinars on a variety of subjects. Visit https://www.tiaa.org/public/land/employees-boost-financial-know-how to review the current offerings.

Resources

Videos

johnsonsterling.pngJohnson Sterling, Inc. is an independent investment company with no ties to any financial firm.

Since 1976, the Johnson Sterling Paul family of companies has worked with institutional clients nationwide to optimize their benefits planning and retirement plan management systems. With particular expertise in university retirement plans, Johnson Sterling enables plan sponsors access to the world's leading financial research and employee benefit provider firms, with objectivity and at the most efficient cost.

As consultant to the Auburn University 403(b) and 457(b) Plan, Johnson Sterling is available locally to help answer any questions regarding your retirement benefits. Please call Lee Busby 334-887-5533 for additional information.

care

Mental Health Wellness

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Auburn University's Employee Assistance Program is administered through Uprise Health and is available to all benefit-eligible employees with up to six (6) free visits per year.

An EAP program is a confidential assessment, counseling, and referral service for all regular employees and their eligible dependents who need help with:

  • Marital and family issues 

  • Alcohol and other drug dependency

  • Stress-related issues

  • Financial/legal referrals

  • Emotional problems

An EAP counselor can help identify problems and assist in working through them. The counselor can also determine the best alternatives and, if necessary, make appropriate referrals to other professionals who specialize in particular areas. The program is confidential and free.

For additional information, call 800-925-5EAP (5327).

Employee EAP Video (English)

Employee EAP Video (Spanish)

EAP Member Portal

All members have access to the Employee Assistance Program member portal. (Access Code: auburn) 

This portal provides many online work/life resources and has an online tool with more than 20,000 articles and interactive modules involving work/life topics such as emotional well-being, family life, health, financial, legal, personal growth, and stress. Some popular items on the website include downloadable will kits, financial calculators, and parenting articles. 

Call Uprise Health EAP at 800-925-5327 if you have questions or need any assistance.

Log-In Instructions
  1. URL: https://members.ibhsolutions.com/

  2. First time users will click “Don’t have an account – Register Now”.

  3. Enter last name.

  4. Enter date of birth.

  5. Click "Next".

  6. Verify health plan.

  7. Click"Next".

  8. Enter member demographics. (username, password, email, phone number, etc.)

  9. Click "Register"; Look for approval email from QuickCap.

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Whereas the EAP addresses everyday living problems, your mental health benefits address clinical issues such as depression, anxiety, abuse, childhood trauma, substance abuse, and other serious disorders. Behavioral health care is an employer-sponsored program designed to provide disorder identification, clinical treatment referrals, andcrisis intervention for employees and their family members who experience mental/behavioral conditions.

Uprise Health assists employees and families by identifying and working through conditions that may be a focus of clinical attention such as:

  • Adjustment Disorder

  • ADD/ADHD

  • Anxiety Disorders

  • Impulse Control Disorders

  • Substance Abuse Disorders

  • Depression and Mood Disorders

  • Schizophrenia and other Psychological Disorders

Mental health and substance abuse benefit information and the member portal is available online.

First time users will click “Don’t have an account – Register Now” and follow these instructions:

  1. URL: https://members.ibhsolutions.com/

  2. First time users will click “Don’t have an account – Register Now”.

  3. Enter last name.

  4. Enter date of birth.

  5. Click "Next".

  6. Verify health plan.

  7. Click"Next".

  8. Enter member demographics. (username, password, email, phone number, etc.)

  9. Click "Register"; Look for approval email from QuickCap.

This portal provides on-demand access to view authorizations and claims, request EAP authorizations, submit claims for reimbursement, view Explanation of Benefits (EOB’s) and out-of-pocket payments and find a behavioral health provider.

MBH flyer

Call Uprise Health American Behavioral at 800-677-4544 if you have questions or need any assistance.

healthy

Healthy Tigers

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Eligible employees of Auburn University can receive a discount of up to $600 annually if they and their spouse/sponsored adult dependent (SAD) both participate in the Healthy Tigers screening program and complete all program requirements ($300 for the employee and $300 for the spouse/SAD).

Please review the information on this website to learn more about the program, or call the Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care Center (AUPCC) at 334-844-4099. Appointments are coordinated by the AUPCC, located in 2155 Walker Building, Harrison School of Pharmacy, and may be scheduled online. Schedule a screening.

Important Deadline!

If you would like to continue to receive the Healthy Tigers benefit for all of 2023, the deadline to complete your screening is Friday, Dec. 9, 2022. All screening paperwork, including referrals, must be submitted to the Auburn University Pharmaceutical Care Center (AUPCC) by this date to ensure you receive this benefit for 2023.

Additional Resources 

Wellness is the process of becoming aware of healthy choices and applying that knowledge to create a more successful and balanced lifestyle. AU has many resources to help employees on their wellness journey. Healthy Tigers encourages all eligible employees to take the first step to managing their health and improving life!

additional

Additional Insurances

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Critical illness insurance through Colonial Life is guaranteed issue and provides a lump-sum benefit to help cover the following if an employee or a family member suffers a heart attack, stroke, or other illness:

  • Deductibles, co-insurance, and out-of-pocket expenses

  • Lost income

  • Home health care needs

  • Rehabilitation

  • Travel and lodging

  • Child care

The benefit amounts employees can choose from are $10,000 or $30,000. The benefit is paid directly to the insured and can be used for medical or non-medical related expenses one might encounter as a result of going thru one of the covered medical events. The policy can be purchased for employee, employee plus spouse, one-parent family or two-parent family. 

You can enroll online via AU Access, contact the PWS Call Center at 833-203-4283.

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Auburn University offers a choice of two cancer insurance plans, both of which are fully funded by employee premiums and administered by Colonial Life. The primary purpose of cancer insurance is to assist with the non-medical costs associated with cancer.

These policies pay benefits directly to the employee unless assigned to a doctor or hospital, regardless of any other insurance coverage in effect. This provides extra resources to help offset any financial loss experienced during this period. Both plans will pay a benefit ($3,000 or $5,000) upon initial cancer diagnosis.

In addition, just by having a routine wellness screening such as a pap smear, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test or a mammogram, a covered person will receive a wellness benefit ($50 or $75). Other benefits include payment for travel and lodging expenses when traveling for treatment. Participation in the program is optional. Benefits are provided by Colonial Life Insurance Company.

Eligibility

Active full-time non student employees are eligible if the most recent appointment period is continuous for a minimum of one year (nine or 12 as appropriate to the appointment).

Enrollment

New employees must enroll within the first 30 days of employment. If elected during this time, coverage will be issued on a guaranteed issue basis. This means that an employee can enroll in the coverage without having to submit evidence of good health for approval and regardless of past cancer history.

There is a 12-month look-back clause. This means that if there has been treatment for cancer in the previous 12 months, the covered person must satisfy a 12-month waiting period before receiving a benefit from the coverage. After the 12-month waiting period, the benefit will begin to pay immediately.

After initial eligibility, application may be made during the annual open enrollment period of Nov. 1 through Nov. 30. 

You can enroll online via AU Access, contact the PWS Call Center at 833-203-4283 or schedule an online meeting with a benefits enroller.

Premium costs

standard.svgLTD insurance coverage through The Standard is provided to all full-time, benefit-eligible employees who have been employed at least one year, at no cost to the employee.

  • During Open Enrollment, eligible employees may also purchase an additional 10% of coverage (in addition to the Auburn provided LTD coverage) at affordable group rates. Evidence of Insurability (completion of a medical history statement) will be needed to add the additional long-term disability benefit coverage.

  • For new employees: During Open Enrollment, employees within their first year of employment may purchase LTD coverage which is guaranteed issue at affordable group rates.

You can enroll online via AU Access, contact the PWS Call Center at 833-203-4283 or schedule an online meeting with a benefits enroller.

fsa

Flexible Spending Accounts

health-equity-wage-works.jpgYou can save several hundred dollars annually by establishing a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through HealthEquity/WageWorks.

This is an IRS-approved account into which you may elect to put money to pay for many out-of-pocket health care expenses. You do not pay taxes on this money, which means more money in your pocket!

  • Employees must enroll online during Open Enrollment. The deadline to enroll is Nov. 30, at 4:45 p.m.

  • The amount that can be deferred into an FSA Medical Spending Account for 2023 is $2,850.

  • Medical spending accounts will allow a carryover of $570 into the next plan year. (Up from $550) 

  • To learn more about the FSA program and how it can help you save money, visit the HealthEquity/WageWorks website at wageworks.com.

  • Health Equity/WageWorks also offers an online store stocked with FSA-eligible products, helping you eliminate the confusion of which products are eligible with your account. The store accepts all FSA and major credit cards, offers 24/7 customer service, one-to-two-day turnaround for all orders, and free shipping on orders $50+. For more information, visit wageworks.com/FSAExtras.

What is a Health Care FSA?

A Health Care Flexible Spending Account, or "FSA," is a pre-tax benefit account that you can use to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses that aren’t covered by your health insurance plan.

You decide how much to contribute to your Health Care FSA each year, and funds are withdrawn automatically from each paycheck for deposit into your account before taxes are deducted. The total amount you elect to contribute to your Health Care FSA each year is available on the first day of your plan year.

Why Enroll?

Covered Expenses

A lot of different kinds, you would be surprised. Your Health Care FSA covers hundreds of eligible health care expenses, like co-payments for doctor visits, prescription drugs, and new eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Here's a handy list of eligible expenses to review, download, or print out for future reference. Please keep in mind that IRS rules determine which expenses are eligible, and some expenses require a doctor's note or prescription to be eligible for reimbursement under your Health Care FSA.

Which Expenses Are Not Covered?

Your Health Care FSA does not cover these expenses:

  • Cosmetic surgery and procedures

  • Dental whitening

  • Expenses for health care services rendered outside the coverage period

  • Expenses reimbursed by an insurance provider or another health plan

  • Family or marriage counseling

  • Herbs, vitamins, supplements, or other over-the-counter items used for general health

  • Insurance premiums

  • Personal use items (e.g., toothpaste, shaving cream, cosmetics)

Looking for a particular type of expense? Please check the list of eligible expenses or log into your WageWorks account for a comprehensive list of eligible expenses under your particular Health Care FSA.

Additional questions

WageWorks Health Care FSA: See It In Action

Dependent Care Costs

health-equity-wage-works.jpgYou can save several hundred dollars annually by establishing a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through HealthEquity/WageWorks.

This is an IRS-approved account into which you may elect to put money to pay for many out-of-pocket dependent care expenses. In 2023, the Dependent Care Spending Account limit will remain at $5,000. You do not pay taxes on this money, which means more money in your pocket! Employees must enroll online during Open Enrollment. The deadline to enroll is Nov. 30, at 4:45 p.m.

What is a Dependent Care FSA?

A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, or “FSA,” is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for dependent care services while you are at work. The money you contribute to a Dependent Care FSA is not subject to payroll taxes, so you end up paying less in taxes and taking home more of your paycheck.

Under this type of account, a “dependent “ is a child under 13 years of age (until the day of their 13th birthday) and adult dependents who can't take care of themselves. Please keep in mind that they must live with you and be claimed as dependents on your tax return. Please review the eligible expense list [list] to see what's covered under your Dependent Care FSA.

Why Enroll?

  • Save an average of 30% on eligible dependent care expenses like preschool, summer day camp, before/after school programs, child or elder daycare, and more.

  • Reduce your overall tax burden—funds are withdrawn from your paycheck for deposit into your account before taxes are deducted.

  • Take advantage of several convenient, no-hassle payment and reimbursement options.

What is a "Work-Related" Expense?

Your Dependent Care FSA expenses need to be "work-related." This means that the expenses must be incurred while you (or your spouse) are working or looking for work. For example, if both you and your spouse work full time and you pay for after-school care for your kids, that is an eligible "work-related" expense. Please note: unpaid and nominal paid volunteer work do not qualify as "work."

Covered Expenses

All kinds! A Dependent Care FSA covers a wide variety of dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before- and after-school programs, and child or elder daycare. Here's a handy list of eligible expenses to review, download, or print out for future reference. Please keep in mind that IRS rules determine which expenses are eligible.

Additional information

WageWorks Dependent Care FSA: See It In Action

life

Life Insurance

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Term life insurance through The Standard can be used to provide financial security for an employee and their loved ones. This money can help pay for things like the mortgage, college tuition, child-care costs, or daily living expenses. 

Evidence of Insurability (completion of a medical history statement) will be needed in order to enroll in or increase Voluntary Term Life Insurance and/or Spousal Term Life Insurance. 

  • All eligible employees receive employer provided Basic Term Life Insurance, free of charge, one times annual base salary up to a maximum of $35,000.

  • Optional Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage for employee, spouse/sponsored adult dependent, or child/sponsored child dependent is available and paid for by the employee.

  • An employee can purchase life insurance for up to five times their annual earnings (the benefit limit is $450,000).

  • An employee may apply for Spouse Term Life Insurance in multiples of $10,000, from $10,000 to $100,000, for their spouse/sponsored adult dependent.

  • An employee may elect a Child Life Insurance benefit for their child/sponsored child dependent of $5,000 or $10,000.

  • Optional Term Life Insurance is guaranteed if the employee enrolls during the first 30 days following initial eligibility. If an employee rejects the optional insurance during the first 30 days and decides later to apply for coverage, he/she may apply for coverage at any time by completing a medical history statement. Approval of the delayed application is not guaranteed and is subject to the approval of the underwriter.

You can enroll online via AU Access, contact the PWS Call Center at 833-203-4283 or schedule an online meeting with a benefits enroller.

Additional Information

MassMutual logo

We will be offering whole life insurance policies through MassMutual to Auburn University employees and their eligible family members. As a result, effective Jan. 1, 2023, whole life insurance policies from Colonial Life will no longer be payroll deducted.

Employees that currently have Colonial whole life policies will be able to continue these policies by changing the mode of payment to bank draft. Employees currently insured with the Colonial whole life policies will be communicated with directly via email. 

Whole life insurance through MassMutual provides guaranteed features – cash value accumulation, premium rates, and a death benefit (minus any loans and loan interest). It offers guaranteed issue protection, premiums, and cash value. Guaranteed issue (GI) is available to all employees up to $150,000. 

The benefit pays a lump sum death benefit, builds guaranteed cash value and is paid for with level premiums that never increase (ends at age 100). 

You can enroll online via AU Access, contact the PWS Call Center at 833-203-4283 or schedule an online meeting with a benefits enroller.

educational

Educational Opportunities

Auburn maintains an educational benefit plan that provides tuition waiver benefits to eligible and qualified employees, enabling them to enroll in undergraduate and graduate course work while actively employed at the university.

This benefit provides eligible employees a waiver of tuition for up to 15 hours per academic year at the Board-approved, on-campus resident rate per credit hour. Full-time employees who are eligible for the Auburn dental plan and have served a minimum of one year of regular continuous service are eligible.

Auburn also offers a 50% tuition waiver for undergraduate-level courses to the spouses and dependents of full-time, benefit-eligible faculty and staff. Dependent eligibility is based on the dependent meeting the eligibility requirements for dental insurance coverage under the university's group dental insurance plan. This tuition waiver does not apply for graduate and doctoral-level courses.

Visit auburn.edu/hr/hrd/educ_opp.html for more information. IMPORTANT: A tuition waiver request should be submitted separately for each eligible spouse or dependent.

Last updated: 02/16/2023