You are here: Â鶹´«Ã½ Human Resources Benefits Health & Welfare Medical Plans Options

Back to top

Medical Plan Options

AU offersÌýofferÌýfull-time faculty and staff a choice between three medical options.*ÌýAll medical options include prescription drug coverage and qualified, in-network preventive services are covered at 100%.

*2024 options for those hired before December 2, 2024 include CareFirst BlueChoice Advantage PPO and Kaiser Permanente HMO.

Coverage Options

Starting in 2025, Â鶹´«Ã½ contributes towards your medical & prescription coverage based on your annual salary and the level of coverage you select.Ìý

You can elect coverage for:

  • Individual
  • Individual + child(ren)
  • Individual + spouse/domestic partner
  • Family

Cost for coverage

Select your annual salary range to view your cost for coverage chart.

Your portion of the cost of the medical coverage is deducted from your pay on a pre-tax basis.

New hire enrollment & life event changes

2025ÌýEnrollment Guide

Compare medical plans

CareFirst PPO

PROS

  • Flexibility to see any provider.

  • No referral required.

  • Insurance starts paying after lower deductible than CareFirst HDHP.
  • Lowest out-of-pocket maximum when using in-network providers.
  • Express Scripts provides 30-day prescriptions at retail pharmacies and 90-day supplies using home delivery or CVS Smart90.
  • You can elect a health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for eligible medical expenses, up to the annual IRS maximum.

CONS

  • Highest monthly premium of all options.
  • Your cost depends if your provider is in or out of the CareFirst network.
  • There is a moderate deductible to reach before the plan starts to pay.
  • After you reach the deductible, you are responsible for a percentage of the charge (coinsurance).
  • After three retail prescription fills for maintenance drugs, additional $10 for each retail fill.
  • Separate out-of-pocket maximum for prescriptions.
  • Can’t contribute to the HSA.

CareFirst HDHP + HSA

PROS

  • Flexibility to see any provider.
  • No referral required.
  • Lower monthly premium than CareFirst PPO.
  • AU contributes to a Health Savings Account (HSA):
    • $500 individual.
    • $1,000 individual + (children, spouse/domestic partner, or family coverage).
    overage).
  • You can elect to contribute towards the HSA, up to the annual IRS maximum.

CONS

  • You pay all medical and prescription costs until deductible is met, except for drugs on the Consumer Directed Healthcare Preventive medication list, which are not subject to the deductible.
  • Highest deductible to reach before insurance starts to pay.
  • Your cost depends if provider is in or out of the CareFirst network.
  • After you reach the deductible, you are responsible for a percentage of the charge (coinsurance).
  • Out-of-network coinsurance is higher than CareFirst PPO out-of-network coinsurance.
  • Highest out-of-pocket maximum of all the options.
  • Can’t contribute to a health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

Kaiser HMO

PROS

  • One-stop shop for all medical needs.
  • Lower monthly premium than CareFirst PPO.
  • Coordinated care within Kaiser network.
  • No deductibles.
  • No coinsurance.
  • Lowest cost pharmacy option of all plans when filled in a Kaiser Center pharmacy (slightly higher price using an outside pharmacy for 30-day prescription).
  • Over 30 locations in DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
  • You can elect a health care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for eligible medical expenses, up to the annual IRS maximum.

CONS

  • You must use providers in the Kaiser network; no coverage for out-of-network providers.
  • Must obtain a referral from primary care provider for some services.
  • Higher out-of-pocket maximum than CareFirst PPO.
  • Can’t contribute to the HSA.

Ìý

Â鶹´«Ã½ makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information that appears on the benefits site. However, if there are discrepancies between the information presented and the legal documents governing a plan or program (the "plan documents"), the plan documents will always govern. Â鶹´«Ã½ reserves the right to amend or terminate any benefit plan at its sole discretion at any time, for any reason.