Overview
Non-union, benefits eligible employees have four coverage options to choose from. All benefits eligible employees can elect to have UVM's longstanding, comprehensive PPO 1 coverage, with premiums that are adjusted by salary, in line with our social justice philosophy.
All coverage options include:
- 100% covered in-network preventative care.
- Access to the same providers via the BCBS network.
- Prescription drug coverage through Optum Rx.
- An out-of-pocket maximum - you pay nothing for covered services after this threshold is met.
- Access to UVM Cares, an innovative partnership with the University of Vermont Health Network providing personalized care guidance to covered employees and their families.
Depending on the coverage you have, premium rates and how you and the insurance company share the cost of coverage services will change. More details about each coverage option can be found below.
Supporting BCBS Resources
- BCBS Cost Transparency (PDF)
- Find a Doctor (PDF)
- Member Resource Center - MRC (PDF)
- BCBS Global Core - connects you to doctors and hospitals outside of the United States
Learn more about the plan in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont's Summary Plan Description:
Medical Premiums
Premium rates, or the monthly amount paid for your coverage, varies depending on your coverage option, union, and pay rate. Medical Premium Rates
Medical Coverage
PPO 1 (All Benefits-Eligible Employees)
UVM’s longest standing option, it provides extensive coverage with low co-payments and deductibles with the highest total monthly premium. PPO 1 has no medical deductible, uses copays instead of coinsurance, and a separate prescription drug deductible. View PPO 1 Summary of Benefits Coverage (PDF) for details.
Coverage Overview
| Coverage type | In-Network Costs | Out-of-Network Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible (EE-Only/ Family) | $0 /$0 | $500 / $1,000 |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum (EE-Only / Family) | $2,500 / $5,000 | $2,500 / $5,000 |
| Plan Coinsurance | N/A | After deductible, you pay 30% |
| Office Visits Co-pay | $10 PCP / $20 Specialist | After deductible, you pay 30% |
| Emergency Room Co-pay | $50 | $50 |
| Urgent Care Co-pay | $20 | $20 |
| Inpatient Hospital Stay Co-pay | $250 per admission | After deductible, you pay 30% |
Prescription Drug Coverage
Prescription Drug Coverage includes a $100 annual deductible per person, per year with a maximum of $300 per year per family for retail and mail-order pharmacies.
- Rx Deductible: $100 per person / $300 max per family
- Rx Copays (Retail): $5 generic / $20 preferred / $40 non-preferred brand
- Rx Out of Pocket Maximum: $1,300 EE-Only / $2,600 Family
What's Changing in 2026?
There are no changes to PPO 1 coverage in 2026, but premium rates will increase by 5%.
PPO 2 (Non-Union Employees Only)
A new option that balances a lower total premium than PPO 1 with some more up front, out-of-pocket costs. View PPO 2 Summary of Benefits Coverage (PDF) for more details.
In-Network Overview
- A lower deductible than an HDHP.
- Uses coinsurance for medical services after the deductible is reached.
- There is no separate prescription deductible. Prescription costs are paid out of pocket until your medical deductible is reached.
| Coverage Type | In-Network Costs | Out-of-Network Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible (EE-Only / Family) | $500 / $1,000 | $1,000 / $2,000 |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum (EE-Only / Family) | $3,000 / $6,000 | $6,000 / $12,000 |
| Plan Coinsurance (for office visits, specialists, ER, hospital stays, etc.) | After deductible, you pay 10% | After deductible, you pay 30% |
Prescription Drug Coverage
- Deductible: Combined with Medical ($500 Employee Only / $1,000 Family)
- Rx Copays (Retail): $5 generic / $20 preferred / $40 non-preferred brand
- Rx Out of Pocket Maximum: $1,650/$3,300
What's Changing in 2026?
- Starting in 2026, PPO 2 will have an embedded deductible. This means once an individual meets their deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, the plan begins paying for that person, even if the family total hasn’t been met.
- UVM will also be introducing more addition premium rate bands for employees who earn less than $50k.
- Premium rates will increase by 5%.
HDHP 1 (Non-Union Employees Only)
With lower total premiums than either PPO option, HDHP 1 has a higher deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Even with the HSA benefits, this plan should only be considered if you have some savings to help cover the out-of-pocket costs. View HDHP 1 Summary of Benefits Coverage (PDF) for details.
In-Network Overview
- 4x higher deductible than PPO 2
- Utilizes co-insurance for medical services after the deductible is reached.
- There is no separate prescription deductible. Prescription costs are paid out of pocket until your medical deductible is reached.
Coverage Overview
| Coverage Type | In-Network Costs | Out-of-Network Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible (EE-Only / Family) | $2,000 / $4,000 | $4,000 / $8,000 |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum (EE-Only / Family) | $4,000 / $8,000 | $8,000 / $16,000 |
| Plan Coinsurance (for office visits, specialists, ER, hospital stays, etc.) | After deductible, you pay 20% | After deductible, you pay 40% |
Prescription Drug Coverage
- Deductible: Combined with Medical ($2,000 Employee Only / $4,000 Family)
- Rx Copays (Retail): $10 generic / $40 preferred / $80 non-preferred brand
- Rx Out of Pocket Maximum: $1,650/$3,300
What's Changing in 2026?
There are no changes to HDHP 1 coverage in 2026, but premium rates will increase by 5%.
HDHP 2 (Non-Union Employees Only)
With lowest total premiums, HDHP 2 has a highest deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. This plan should only be considered by individuals who already have significant HSA savings. View HDHP 2 Summary of Benefits Coverage (PDF) for details.
In-Network Overview
- Highest deductible and out-of-pocket maximums
- Utilizes co-insurance for medical services after the deductible is reached.
- There is no separate prescription deductible. Prescription costs are paid out of pocket until your medical deductible or Rx out of pocket max is reached.
Coverage Overview
| Coverage Type | In-Network Costs | Out-of-Network Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Deductible (EE-Only / Family) | $3,500 / $7,000 | $7,000 / $14,000 |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum (EE-Only / Family) | $6,500 / $13,000 | $14,000 / $28,000 |
| Plan Coinsurance (for office visits, specialists, ER, hospital stays, etc.) | After deductible, you pay 30% | After deductible, you pay 50% |
Prescription Drug Coverage
- Deductible: Combined with Medical ($3,500/$7,000)
- Rx Copays (Retail): $10 generic / $40 preferred / $80 non-preferred brand
- Rx Out of Pocket Maximum: $1,650/$3,300
What's Changing in 2026?
- Starting in 2026, HDHP will have an embedded deductible. This means once an individual meets their deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, the plan begins paying for that person, even if the family total hasn’t been met.
- In-Network Deductible will increase to $4,000 / $8,000
- Premium rates will increase by 5%.
Health Savings Account (HSA) - Only Available with HDHP Coverage
HSA Overview
If you enroll in an HDHP, an HSA can help cover medical costs including deductibles and let you save for future medical and retirement expenses. There are three tax advantages to an HSA:
- TAX-FREE CONTRIBUTIONS. Money you put into your HSA from your paycheck isn’t taxed. This lowers the amount of income that gets taxed, saving you money now.
- TAX-FREE WITHDRAWALS. When you use the money in your HSA to pay for eligible medical expenses, you don’t pay any taxes on those withdrawals.
- TAX-FREE GROWTH. If you invest the money in your HSA, any growth or earnings from those investments aren’t taxed either.
For more information on how an HSA compares to a flexible spending account, visit the Flexible Spending Account benefit page.
UVM Contributions
UVM contributes to an HSA for all employees enrolled in an HDHP. The contribution is divided between three deposits occurring in January, April, and October. Contribution rates are the same, regardless of which HDHP you select.
| Salary Band | HSA Contributions (EE-Only / Family) |
|---|---|
| < $50,000 | $800 / $1,600 |
| $50,001 - $80,000 | $600 / $1,200 |
| $80,001 - $110,000 | $400 / $800 |
| $110,001+ | $200 / $400 |
What's Changing in 2026
In 2026, UVM will contribute $750 for individual and $1,500 for family into an employee’s HSA.
Hearing Aid Discounts
The Eleanor M. Luse Center Audiology Clinic offers UVM staff, faculty, retirees, and their dependents enrolled in UVM's health insurance a 10% reduction from retail costs for hearing aids. Additional savings on hearing aids are available through the TruHearing Discount Program.
Eleanor M. Luse Center for Communication Luse Center Hearing Aid Benefit (PDF) TruHearing Discount Program (PDF)