We offerÌýtwo Consumer Directed Health Plans (CDHP):ÌýCore and Core Plus.
A CDHP, also known as a High Deductible Health Plan, combines:
- A higher deductible amountÌýthan other kinds of health plans with generally lower premiums
- ´¡Ìýtax-advantaged health savings accountÌý(HSA), which may be funded in part by ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ
- If you are enrolled in Medicare or any other government sponsored medical plan you will have the option to elect a medical plan that is paired with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
We encourage you to invest time to learn more about CDHPs and the plan options before making a decision.
Both the Core and Core Plus plans work the same way. You also have a choice of health carrier networks (via Aetna, Cigna, and Anthem; and Kaiser in California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Washington State, and other Northwest locations).
You can go in- or out-of-network when you need care (except if you opt for Kaiser which requires you to use Kaiser's network, unless you require emergency medical services). But you’ll pay significantly more when you use a doctor or provider who does not participate in your network.
The difference between the two plans lies in how much you pay out of your own pocket (deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and coinsurance) vs. how much you pay out of your paycheck in monthly premiums.
How the plans compare to each other
CDHPs let participants decide howÌýthey want their healthcare dollars to be spent.
Enrollees can use their tax advantaged Health Savings Account dollars to pay their higher out-of-pocket healthcare costs (e.g., coinsurance expenses, annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum amounts).
And they can make alternative choices that help manage their healthcare expenses.
For example, they can effectively manage healthcare expenses by:
- Opting for an urgent care facility instead of a hospital's high-cost emergency room, if it's appropriate.
- Electing to use a generic drug instead of a brand-name drug.
- Selecting doctors and specialists who are in network rather than out of network.
- Following up on preventive care recommendations to keep a health issue from escalating, ultimately costing much more in medical care.
- Participating in wellness programs.
- Using funds from a Health Savings Account (HSA).
As you review the medical plans, consider your (and your family's) healthcare needs.
How much you expect toÌýuse healthcareÌýbeyond preventive careÌýwill affect how much you pay out of pocket. So take a moment to understandÌý.
When using the Find a Doctor option, please be sure to use the appropriate ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ network for your selected medical carrier.
- Aetna: Choice POS II Network,Ìý
- Cigna: Open Access Plus Network,Ìý
- Anthem: Anthem National PPO (Blue Card)Ìý
- Kaiser:Ìý
Your contributions for the medical plan you choose will be deducted from your pay on a pre-tax basis and will be based on your Benefits Base Salary (BBS), the plan you elect and whether you cover any family members. Families are charged a cost for each child (up to three children). Read more about BBS in Terms & Concepts on theÌýEnrollment Resources page of this microsite.
One way to demonstrate our commitment to affordability and fairness is through the medical plan annual deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and payroll contributions, which are tiered to align with Benefits Base Salary (BBS). Refer to the brochure you received in the mail to understand how much you'll pay in premiums.
The following surcharge applies, and will be added to 2025 medical premiums:
The following surcharge applies, and will be added to 2025 medical premiums:
A Tobacco User Surcharge will be added to your monthly medical premiums if you and/or your covered spouse/ partner use tobacco. The Tobacco User Surcharge is equal to $80 per month ($960/year) if you use tobacco or $160 per month ($1,920/year) if both you and your covered spouse/partner use tobacco.
If you and/or your covered spouse/partner use tobacco, ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ offers the Quit for Life Smoking Cessation Program at no cost to you to help you and/or your covered spouse/partner. If you complete the program in 2025 you can avoid the Tobacco User Surcharge by receiving a refund of the entire surcharge you paid in 2025. Information on the Quit for Life Smoking Cessation Program can be found under Health & Insurance > Wellness and Other Programs on the Alight Worklife website. If you or your medical provider have any questions regarding the Quit for Life Smoking Cessation Program, please contact Quit for Life at +1-866-784-8454.ÌýIf your medical provider advises you not to complete the Quit for Life Smoking Cessation Program, we will work with you and your medical provider to accommodate an alternative method for achieving your health goals.