2023 Medical Insurance

Dartmouth offers a choice of three different medical plans.  All three plans include prescription drug coverage and preventive vision care.  The medical plans are self-insured and administered by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company (Cigna).  Pharmacy benefits are administered by Express Scripts.

Contact Cigna Health

Create an AccountCigna manages your Cigna manages all three of Dartmouth's medical plans and the HRA accounts when electing the CCF or HDHP with HRA medical plan options.  By creating an account through mycigna.com you will be able to track claims, order ID cards, find doctors, compare costs, and track account balances.1. Go to http://mycigna.com
2. Click on REGISTER
3. Make sure you have your Cigna ID or Social Security number available
4. Click START REGISTRATION
5. Enter your Name, Date of Birth and zip code
6. Answer a question about your membership
7. Enter your ID card number or SSN
8. Enter your zip codeEligibility and EnrollmentAll employees who meet Dartmuoth's benefits eligibility guidelines are eligible to enroll in one of Dartmouth's three medical plan options through Cigna Health.  But it is important to know that monthly rates can vary based on annual salary and hours worked.  Pharmacy and Vision coverage come with the medical plan that you choose.New Hires may enroll in medical insurance within their first 30 days of enrollment, otherwise existing employees may enroll durng the annual open enrollment period held each fal for a January 1st start date. If you do not log in and elect or waive medical insurance as a new employee, you will be defaulted into the Cigna Choice Fund (CCF) plan at the employee only coverage level.  Some qualified life events causing a drop in external medical insurance will allow for enrollment in a medical plan for yourself and/or your dependents outside of the annual open enrollment window.  Qualified life events must be completed in the FlexOnline system with 30 days of the event.ID CardsPlease allow 7-14 days from new hire enrollment for new ID cards to arrive in the mail.  You will receive an ID card for each covered member of your family.  If you lose your ID card, please contact Cigna directly at the number above, or you may access a copy through the Cigna mobile ap.Top of PageCOVID Related Treatment & TestingAll of Dartmouth's active employe and retiree health  plans will cover covid related treatment and testing, at 100% through June 30, 2023.  Testing will only be covered at 100% when ordered by your medical provider, and when covid related symptoms are present or when you have had a confirmed exposure.Understanding your Health PlanInsurance can be confusing – Please review the Understanding your Health Plan webpage for general information, forms, and definitions before starting the medical plan selection process.The PlansDartmouth offers a choice of three different medical plans. To learn more about a specific plan, please click on one of the links below.

Top of PageAll Three Plans Offer...Before you try to determine the differences between the three health plan options, here are are some similarities across the three plans that you should be aware of:

  • Coverage by Cigna Health
  • Coverage for medical care, including visits to your doctor's office, hospital stays, mental health and substance abuse services, chiropractic treatment, physical therapy and other services.
  • An option to choose a primary care doctor to help guide your care. It's recommended, but not required.
  • A national network of providers (Open Access Plus/Carelink), as well as emergency coverage when traveling abroad for personal travel. More information on coverage while travleing abroad.
  • No referral is needed to see a specialist, although pre-certification may be required.
  • In-network preventive care* services covered at no additional cost to you. Refer to the Summary of Benefits under each plan for a list of covered preventive care services.
  • 24-hour emergency care, in- or out-of-network.
  • Limits on what you'll pay out-of-pocket.  Once you spend the annual out-of-pocket maximum amount, the medical plan pays your covered health care costs at 100%.
  • No copay or coinsurance (depending on the plan) for care received through Cigna Telehealth Connection.
  • No-claim paperwork is necessary when you receive care in-network.
  • Access to Dartmouth Health Connect (now One Medical at Dartmouth) (except when contributing to an HSA).
  • Each family member pays toward their own individual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Family limits are in place to help minimize the total amount of deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums that your family would have to pay in a given year.
  • The ability to manage and track claims, order ID cards, find doctors, and track account balances through the myCigna.com website.
  • Medical plan rates are deducted from your paycheck pre-tax. Research Fellows pay on a post-tax basis.
    *Some preventive services may not be covered. For example, immunizations for travel are generally not covered. Other non-covered services/supplies may include any service or device that is not medically necessary or services/supplies that are unproven (experimental or investigational).

Top of PageOpen Access Plus Plan (OAP)The OAP Summary of Benefits provides a detailed list of covered services.J-VISA holdersIn order to maintain compliance with the Department of State, employees working for Dartmouth under J-VISA status, must be enrolled in a health plan that meets specific coverage requirements.  The only plan available to J-VISA holders is a special Open Access Plus plan with a $500 deductible.  This plan matches the $600 OAP plan in coverage, pharmacy services, vision services and premium cost, but has a lower deductible. Please see the JVISA Summary of Benefits provided for a detailed list of covered services. Monthly premium costs match that of the OAP plan on the Benefit Cost Estimator.Key Benefits on the OAP medical plan

Other Considerations

  • The OAP has the highest rates of all three plans.
  • Medical and prescription copays DO NOT count toward annual deductibles, but DO count toward annual out-of-pocket maximums.
  • This is the only plan available to J-VISA holders
  • This plan has additional hearing aid coverage.

Plan OverviewSee page 11 of the 2023 Open Enrollment Guide for a larger view of these chartsOAP Medical Plan Chart of CostsTop of PageCigna Choice Fund Plan (CCF)The CCF Summary of Benefits provides a detailed list of covered services.Key Benefits on the CCF medical plan


Other Considerations

  • Medical and prescription copays DO NOT count toward annual deductibles, but DO count toward annual out-of-pocket maximums.

Plan OverviewSee page 12 of the 2023 Open Enrollment Guide for a larger view of these charts.CCF Medical Plan Chart of CostsTop of PageHigh Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)The HDHP with HRA Summary of Benefits provides a detailed list of covered services.
The HDHP with HSA Summary of Benefits provides a detailed list of covered services.Key Benefits on the HDHP medical plan

  • The plan has the lowest rates of all three plans.
  • Employer may contribute to an HRA or HSA – this is the only plan that allows HSA contributions.
  • Employees may contribute to an HCFSA when electing HDHP with HRA.
    • You should only choose the HDHP with HRA plan if you are not eligible for an HSA but would still like to participate in the High Deductible Health Plan. See if you are eligible for an HSA.
  • Dartmouth Health Connect (now One Medical at Dartmouth) is available as a primary care option for employees with an HRA.

Other Considerations

  • This plan has the highest deductible of the three plans.
  • You pay 100% of all medical and prescription costs until your annual deductible has been met.

Plan OverviewSee page 13 of the 2023 Open Enrollment Guide for a larger view of these charts.HDHP Medical Plan Chart of CostsTop of PageBehavioral Health BenefitsTraditional Behavioral Health counseling is available through your Cigna health plan at the cost of a Primary Care Physician (PCP) copay on the OAP and CCF plans while costs are subject to plan deductibles and coinsurance on the HDHP plans.Out-of-Network Behavioral Health Providers:Dartmouth College recognizes that there are a limited number of mental health providers in the Upper Valley who participate with health insuance carriers. To improve access to behavioral health care for Dartmouth employees and their families, Dartmouth has worked closely with Cigna to increase the number of Cigna participating providers in the Upper Valley,Mental Health Exception Benefit:  Dartmouth has developed a behavioral health exception benefit program for those enrolled in one of Dartmouth's medical plans and are using out-of-network providers. This benefit will cover the first 12 out-of-network behavioral health provider visits at 90% of billed cost with no balance billing.  For more information please visit our behavioral health webpage.NEW!  Starting January 1, 2023, once a member has exhausted the Mental Health Exception Benefit, all future out-of-network behavioral health visits will be processed at the plans in-network deductible/coinsurance or copay amounts (balance billing may apply). This change is in recognition of the ongoing difficulty of receiving in-network behavioral health services in our area.For additional emotional support tools and resources, like the Faculty/Employee Assistance Program, virtual behavioral care options, free apps, videos and other helpful resources, please visit Wellness at Dartmouth.Top of PageTelehealthCigna Telehealth is a resource that allows you to connect with board-certified MDLIVE doctors for help with minor, non-life threatening conditions through secure video, chat or phone 24/7/365, including holidays! If you are enrolled in the Cigna Open Access Plus plan or the Cigna Choice Fund plan, there is no copay for urgent care services. Telehealth services for primary care and specialty care will be billed at the copay rate on the OAP and CCF plans. If you are enrolled in the Cigna High Deductible Health Plan, the cost is $55 for urgent care services. Costs for primary and specialty care services on the HDHP may differ by service. Get the care you need, including most prescriptions (use of this service does not guarantee that a prescription will be written.)You can visit your www.mycigna.com to register at TeleHealth in anticipation of future use. By registering ahead of time, the process will not be delayed when you need to utilize this benefit.About Telehealth
Telehealth Behavioral Health Services
MD Live App InstructionsVirtual Health VisitsVirtual health visits can be obtained with both in- and out- of-network providers who are not part of Cigna's MDLIVE Telehealth program.  Virtual health visits are billed in the same manner as in-office visits. Virtual health visits with international providers are not covered on any of the health plans.Cancer Support ProgramWhether you have cancer - or are a cancer survivor, you can get one-on-one support with the Cigna Cancer Support Program.  From understanding your diagnosis to discussing your health care provider's treatment to celebrator your surviorship, Cigna is here to support you and your family throughout your journey, and help you get the care you need.  The Cigna Cancer Support program is part of your health plan and is offered at no extra cost to you.  The specialists who help customers in this program have experience as oncology nurses. More information on Cigna's Cancer Support program.OMADA for Pre-DiabetesOMADA is free digital behavioral change program focused on pre-diabets and metabolic syndrome and is offered to members enrolled in a Dartmouth Cigna health plan.  The program is designed to help members lose weight and avoid chronic illnesses.  Participants receive personalized virtual support along with a digital scale, professional health coaching, social support groups and online training lessons.View more information on the OMADA Program.Top of PagePlan CostsHealth care is a shared expense between the College and employees. It is important to understand that there is a per pay period cost to have your health insurance this is referred to as the premium or rate.  Then there is a and then a separate cost to use services through your providers.  These costs are usually referred to as deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.  To fully understand the costs that you will be responsibile for, please review our Understanding your Health Plan webpage.Once you have an understanding of how the three medical plans work and the differences between them, you can use the benefit plan cost estimator to see how much you will pay out of pocket for each of the three plans.Choosing a PlanEmma is an online assistance tool that is incorporated in the FlexOnline benefits enrollment system, that can help you with the medical plan decision making process.  Emma takes the annual cost to have a medical plan and adds the estimated cost of what you might spend to use your health plan (based on your anticipated service usage during the calendar year), and lets you know which medical plan she believes might be most cost effective for you.  Please note:  Emma is not the ultimate decision maker, you are. So please feel free to try various scenarios and see if Emma changes her selection, but remember, ultimately, the final decision is yours.Top of PageProvider LookupUse the links below to find local medical and behavioral heal care providers within Cigna's national network.  Look for the "Open Access Plus/Carelink" network.Medical Providers
Behavioral Health ProvidersFiling Out-of-Network Claims

  • In-Network - When using Cigna's in-network providers, these providers are required to file your medical claims directly with Cigna on your behalf.  The provider will submit the claim to Cigna, Cigna will process the claim and pay the provider.  The provider will then send you a bill for the remaining portion of deductible, coinsurance or copay that is your responsibility.
  • Out-of-Network – Your health plan provides coverage for services from doctors and facilities that are not in your plan’s network.  But if you do receive covered out-of-network care, your share of the costs (i.e. deductibles, copays or coinsurance) will usually be higher than if you receive those services in-network.  There is a limit to the amount your plan will pay for covered out-of-network services called the maximum reimbursable charge (MRC).  An out-of-network doctor or facility can bill you directly for any amount above your plan’s MRC.  This is often referred to as “balance billing.” You will be responsible for paying that amount and these payments do not apply to your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

Medical Claim Form
Behavioral Health Claim FormTop of PageLeaving DartmouthCOBRA ContinuationYour medical insurance benefits will end on the last day of the month in which you end employment or last day of the month in which you are no longer benefits eligible with Dartmouth College.  If are under age 65 and not Medicare eligible, you will be offered continuation of coverage through your rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconcilliation Act.  For complete information and answers to frequently asked questions about COBRA please visit our Leaving Dartmouth webpage.What If I Need To Use Medical Services Prior to Receiveing/Returning My COBRA packet?Explain to your provider that you have left your employment or are no longer eligible for benefits at Dartmouth College, and that you are in the process of enrolling in COBRA.  Most providers will send a bill to your home, which you can later call and have the claim re-submitted once the COBRA coverage has been established. If you have upcoming services that require a prior authorization, please contact the Benefits Office at 603-646-3588 for an expedited enrollment.What If I Need a Prescription Prior to Receiveing/Returning My COBRA packet?Prescription drugs must be paid out of pocket, and will only be reimbursed at the Express Scripts "allowed" amount. However, most pharmacies will reimburse the overpayment, if you return within 14 days with your pharmacy ID number and original receipt. Please speak with your pharmacy about their process in these cases and what they will allow.  If you have an urgent situation, please contact the benefits office at 603-646-3588.Transitioning to other coverageIf you take regular maintenance medications, we highly encourage you to fill a 30 to 90 day prescription just prior to your coverage ending here at Dartmouth.  This will allow time for your new coverage to be established before having to request your next refill.Top of Page

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