HUGHP Health Care Premium Rebate
Harvard and HUCTW have agreed to offer a two-month health care premium rebate for any Union member who switches into the Harvard University Group Health Plan (HUGHP) option during Open Enrollment (which starts October 31).
If you are already enrolled in HUGHP, you will not be eligible for the premium rebate – you are already enjoying the advantages HUGHP offers in lower premiums and high-quality care! If you are choosing a Harvard health plan for the first time (vs switching from Harvard Pilgrim to HUGHP), you will be eligible for a one-month premium rebate if you choose HUGHP.
HUCTW and the University have agreed to offer these rebates because HUGHP provides affordable, high-quality care at a lower cost than the Harvard Pilgrim Health Care plans – less expensive both for employees and for Harvard. However, it is important to note that HUGHP might not be a workable choice for some members. If you have existing relationships with providers under Harvard Pilgrim that would not be covered in HUGHP’s narrower network, or if HUGHP network providers are not located conveniently for your family, those considerations could be reasons to stay with Harvard Pilgrim. There is no disadvantage or penalty for Union members who continue to be enrolled in Harvard Pilgrim plans or choose Harvard Pilgrim plans.
How much will a two-month premium rebate be worth to me?
As an example, over this past year, an employee premium contribution on HUGHP HMO coverage for a member earning between $55,000 and $75,000 in full-time annual pay was $98 per month for an individual and $265 per month for a family plan. (Premium contributions differ based on annual pay levels and on HMO or POS plan choices.) In the above example, the two-month rebate would have been delivered as a gross lump-sum amount of $196 for an individual enrollee or $530 for a family plan. We expect rebates to be delivered in a regular February paycheck. Rebates will be treated as compensation and subject to tax withholding. We don’t yet know the rates for 2019, but they will likely be relatively similar to 2018.
You can always contact HUGHP Member Services with questions. Representatives are available to assist you Monday-Friday from 8:30AM to 5:30PM by phone, email, and in-person.
