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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues to provide the Health Insurance Marketplace. Learn more about how the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace may affect OU employees.
Sevetri Mazen is the BCBS dedicated customer service representative for employees at the University of Oklahoma. Sevetri is your ally when it comes to health care and is dedicated to helping you understand your benefits, save money, and more.
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.
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.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Insurance
1-888-775-6819
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.
If you're enrolled in an OU BCBS medical plan, your coverage travels with you all over the U.S. Just search for in-network facilities and providers in the area where you'll be traveling using www.bcbsok.com or the BCBSOK app. Using out-of-network facilities and providers will mean more out-of-pocket expenses.
When traveling internationally, members have access to medical care through Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core. Through the BCBS Global Core program, you have access to doctors, hospitals, and other health services in nearly 200 countries and territories around the world.
Benefits-eligible employees have the option to cover eligible dependents on the medical plan. Eligible dependents include the employee’s spouse (as defined in the same manner as legally defined by the State of Oklahoma) and children up to the age of 26 (defined as a child by birth, adoption, or legal guardianship). If your spouse is also an OU employee, see the following question.
Children become eligible for coverage at birth or, in the case of adoption, on the date of placement. To begin coverage for a newborn or a newly adopted child, employees must notify their local Human Resources office within 31 days of the date of birth or placement.
A child’s coverage will terminate at midnight on the last day of the month in which they turn 26. The employee must notify Human Resources when a dependent is no longer eligible for coverage. A disabled child may continue coverage past age 26. Human Resources must be notified within 31 days after the child’s 26th birthday for coverage to be continued. Insurance carriers may require additional documentation from attending physicians.
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.
You can search for your provider at myCigna.com
If an employee has waived coverage in the past, they are not required to resubmit documentation annually. If an employee wants to waive medical coverage for the first time, then no proof of other medical coverage is required. There are no credits for waiving coverage. Keep in mind the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires all US citizens to carry medical insurance coverage. If an individual does not carry this coverage, they will be subject to a penalty on their income tax return. Please visit healthcare.gov for additional information.
Depending on the event, you may make changes to your benefits outside of benefits enrollment by completing and submitting a Life Event in Self-Service.
For more information, please see how to change your information.
You can view the Prescription Drug List on Cigna's app or website. Please note you will need to log into the Cigna system to see the formulary.
No. Members enrolled in the Cigna HDHP Plan will have a Health Savings Account. OU and the employee can both contribute to the account, which can be used for medical expenses not covered by the plan.
Carriers negotiate fees with each provider. If the physician participates in the carrier network it means they have agreed to be paid according to the negotiated fees. Many physicians see this as an opportunity to be available to a larger range of potential customers and will negotiate with most carriers. Physicians make a decision based on their own cost analysis. If they do not agree with the negotiated fee, they may choose not to participate in a carrier network. It is common for specialists (chiropractors, anesthesiologists, etc.) to choose not to participate in any carrier networks.
