Benefits: Health Insurance

Coverage
Two health insurance plans are offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota: Comprehensive Major Medical (Standard) and Aware Gold Limited. These health plans are employer sponsored plans.

The health insurance plans are determined by a committee comprised of representatives from Hennepin County Medical Center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Regions Hospital, and University of Minnesota Medical Center-Fairview in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Medical School.  The health insurance plans are contracted annually and insurance premium rates may increase at contract renewal.

Registered Same-sex Domestic Partner Coverage
Health insurance coverage is available for registered same-sex domestic partners.  Details on registering a same-sex domestic partner with the University are available through your department payroll office.  Please see the Registered Same-Sex Domestic Partner Policy in the General Policies and Procedures section of this manual. 

Enrollment
All trainees are required to enroll in one of the two plans for at least single coverage or provide documentation of other comparable health benefit coverage to their department payroll office. 

Billing
Details about your health insurance biweekly payroll deduction are available through your department payroll office.  All health insurance premiums are handled through the University of Minnesota Payroll Department and monitored by your department payroll office. 

Questions on Coverage
Contact Blue Cross Blue Shield customer service at 651-662-5004 or 1-866-870-0348.  Customer service will require your Subscriber Number which is your Social Security Number in order to respond to your questions.

Comprehensive Major Medical Plan: CM250 (obtain additional identifying numbers from your department.)

Aware Gold Limited Plan:  CM250 (obtain additional identifying numbers from your department.)

Extension of Coverage
Trainees have the option to continue health insurance coverage for a period of up to eighteen (18) months after leaving a program through COBRA, unless other conditions apply.  You will be required to pay your own health insurance premium plus a statutory administrative fee of 2% for the months you choose to extend your insurance.

Eye Coverage
Eye exams are covered by both Comprehensive Major Medical (Standard) Plan and the Aware Gold Limited Plan.  Spouses are covered if the trainee opts for family coverage.  Glasses are not covered on either plan.  Treatment for medical eye conditions is covered on both plans.