Medical Insurance

The university offers two options for medical plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) to meet employees' needs and provide flexibility to you and your family.

BCBS Plan Overview

PPO Plan

The BCBS Preferred PPO plan features an extensive network of physicians and health care providers. Participants have access to any provider that is part of the networks without the need to select a primary care physician when enrolling. Any specialist within the plan networks can be seen without getting a referral from a primary care physician. The out-of-network benefit offers even more flexibility when selecting a provider. The PPO plan has a deductible and co-insurance amounts.

There are no pre-existing condition limitations in this plan.

 

HDHP Plan

The HDHP plan is a high deductible PPO-network plan with a health savings account (HSA) to which employees can contribute. The funds in the HSA can be used to pay for eligible medical expenses and gives members control over how their medical care dollars are spent. Reimbursement for eligible medical expenses are tax-free and unused funds roll over from year to year.

At the start of the year, the university allocates a fund to help the participant pay for medical expenses covered by the plan. The employee can also contribute to this fund through payroll deduction. NOTE: The Health Savings Account is not fully funded at the beginning of the year. These contributions are made on a prorated basis per pay period. 

The fund is used to pay for eligible medical care expenses up to the health savings account fund amount. Preventive care, such as routine physicals and immunizations, is covered at 100% and is not counted against the member’s fund. Fund money left at the end of the year is added to the next year’s fund balance. This allows members to plan for future expenses as long as they remain in the plan. Although this plan has a lower monthly premium, it does have a higher deductible and higher out-of-pocket expenses and may be best suited for individuals without a large amount of medical expense. 

The HDHP plan features an extensive national network of physicians and health care providers. A primary care physician does not have to be selected. Any specialist within the plan network can be seen without a referral. 

There are no pre-existing condition limitations in this plan.

Participants can manage their HSA account online through hsabank.com. 

 

Choosing a Plan

What should I consider when choosing between the PPO and HDHP plan options? Premium rates are not the only things to consider when choosing a medical plan. Review the plan details to understand the differences between the plans and how to be a wise healthcare consumer.

 

Spouses Working at OU

When both spouses are employed by OU, both employees must carry insurance as the primary insured. Neither employee can be enrolled as a dependent on the other spouse's OU insurance. In future years, that could change depending on the university’s contribution to dependent coverage.Medical yearly deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums can be linked on the PPO plan for families that have children and two spouses who both work at OU. Employees can do this after the plan year begins.

Protect Your SSN with Health ID

Because keeping your personal identity safe is a top priority at the university, you will use your Health ID instead of your Social Security number for all medical and dental transactions at the doctor's office and with insurance providers. Click here to learn more about your Health ID Number.

Health Savings Account

Members enrolled the HDHP medical insurance plan will have a health savings account (HSA) to which employees and employers can contribute pre-tax money. Employees will receive a debit card to use on healthcare costs not covered by your insurance plan. You can visit the account.hsabank.com to manage your account.

Retirees

  • Retirees under age 65 have the same medical insurance options as active employees.
  • Retirees age 65 and over have a choice of coverage under Humana (Group Medicare Advantage Plan or a Standalone Part D plan) or under Cigna (Medicare Senior Supplement Part G), which is accompanied by a HealthSpring Part D plan.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Did you know that health care and dependent care reimbursement accounts can decrease the amount of taxes you pay on your income? OU and Optum Financial offer a debit card with the healthcare reimbursement Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Get more information on the Flexible Spending Accounts page.

ACA Marketplace

The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues to provide the Health Insurance Marketplace. Find information about how the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace may affect OU employees here.