Purdue trustees approve 2021 health plans; three consumer-driven plans available for 2021

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University’s Board of Trustees on Friday (Aug. 7) approved 2021 health plans, aligning with the university’s strategic approach to health care and the Healthy Boiler Program initiative. The changes for 2021 were approved as part of a multiyear strategy and the ongoing pursuit of improving population health and controlling overall costs for employees and the university.

As announced in 2019, the Purdue Health Plan PPO will no longer be an option for 2021; however, three consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) will be available, all with health savings account (HSA) options. The Healthy Boiler Program with incentive options also returns. Specific plan and premium rate details will be shared with faculty and staff on Aug. 13.

Changes for the 2021 plan year will be:

• Introduction of a third CDHP.
• Purdue’s full contribution to HSAs in 2021 to be made in January as a one-time effort to support the transition to the offering of CHDPs to all employees.
• Separation of vision coverage and medical plan. Vision coverage will continue to be offered, but without its dependency on the medical plan, allowing employees more flexibility and ensuring that those who need vision coverage have the option. For 2021, the university will fund 100% of the stand-alone vision premiums.
• Enhancement of the voluntary dental plan to match benchmarks based on recent review of other universities and companies.
• Transition from MetLife to Voya as the administrator of three voluntary benefit programs.
• Reduction in life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) rates.

Aligning with the smarter approach to health care, geared toward the employee and their families, many of these changes will provide savings directly to the employees, including the January deposit of Purdue contributions into employee HSAs.

Employees have begun to receive information related to open enrollment 2021 and will continue to receive information about enrollment, benefit changes, and more throughout the next few months via mailings to their homes, email, virtual newsletters from Purdue benefits and Purdue Today.

Again this year, a dedicated open enrollment webpage will be available beginning Aug. 24 to serve as the online resource for open enrollment 2021. Open enrollment for 2021 will take place beginning Oct. 28 and continuing through 6 p.m. (ET) Nov. 10. Employees are encouraged to evaluate all medical plan options and other benefits to ensure that they are selecting the best option for themselves and their family.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to today’s toughest challenges. Ranked the No. 6 Most Innovative University in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at purdue.edu.

Source: Candace Shaffer, 765-496-8621, shaffe14@purdue.edu 

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