Health Benefits

Think healthy, live well. There is nothing more valuable than good health. UNE offers a choice of medical insurance plans that are designed to help you and your family stay healthy and provide comprehensive coverage when you need it.

Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) and Summary of Plan Description (SPD) for all benefits-eligible employees are located on our Human Resources benefit web pages for each coverage type. These documents provide standard coverage information for the three medical plans through Cigna. The SBC is also available in paper form free of charge upon request. If you want a printed copy or have any coverage questions, please reach out to Human Resources and we will be happy to help.

Once enrolled in benefits, we recommend that you regularly review your contact information (mailing address, email, and phone number) with elected insurance carriers to make sure it is up-to-date. Review the Cigna Welcome guide (PDF) to help you get started with your new elected Cigna insurance.

• Full- or half-time faculty or professional staff (self)
• Spouse or Domestic Partner
• Dependent Children (and those of a Domestic Partner) until the end of the month they turn 26 years of age
• Participation in health coverage may begin the first of the month after your hire or qualifying event. If your hire or event occurs on the first of the month, then benefits begin on the date of hire or qualifying event.
• Coverage ends the last day of the month in which you physically work in a benefits-eligible position.
• When and under what circumstances can a mid-year change be made to my benefits? (PDF)
• Please review the Summary Plan Descriptions for more eligibility details and consult with Human Resources for specific situations.

Benefits and Coverage Questions

Cigna Member Services

• 1 (800) 244-6224
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
• Online Help - Live Chat
  • Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m. ET; log in to myCigna to start a chat

Cigna One Guide Enrollment Support Line

Choose a plan with confidence with Cigna One Guide (PDF). Contact a Cigna One Guide representative to get personalized, useful guidance. Your personal guide will help you:

• Easily understand the basics of health coverage
• Identify the types of health plans available to you
• Check if your doctors are in-network to help you avoid unnecessary costs
• Get answers to any other questions you may have about the plans or provider networks available to you

Call 1 (800) 401-4041 to speak with a Cigna One Guide representative today.

Reviewing the Benefits Guide (PDF) and other resources provides you with the needed information to elect the best health care option for you and your family and even answer many of the questions that arise over time.

Health Basic

This in-network plan provides a moderate co-payment option and has mid-level monthly premium costs. Learn more about your Basic Health plan

Health Enhanced

This in-network plan provides lower co-payments and has the highest monthly premiums. Learn more about your Enhanced Health plan

High Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account (HSA)

This plan offers in and out of network benefits at a low monthly premium. In 2024, UNE will be providing up to $2,600 (dividing it up among each pay period) to eligible participants' HSA, and participants have the option to contribute additional money (within limitations set by the IRS). Learn more about the High Deductible Health Plan and the HSA option

Pharmacy Benefits

The Cigna Standard 3-Tier Prescription Drug List (PDF) is a list of the most commonly prescribed medications covered on the Cigna Healthcare Standard 3-Tier Prescription Drug List as of January 1, 2024. Medications are listed by the condition they treat, then listed alphabetically within tiers (or cost-share levels). 

The drug list is updated often but it may not be the full list of the medications your plan covers. Also, your specific plan may not cover all of these medications. Log in to the myCigna App or myCigna.com, or check your plan materials, to see all of the medications your plan covers.

Medicare Part D – Notice of Creditable Coverage

The prescription drug coverage listed below under the University of New England medical plan is expected to pay out, on average, at least as much as the standard Medicare prescription drug coverage will pay in 2024. This is known as “creditable coverage.” If you or your covered dependent(s) are enrolled in any prescription drug coverage listed in this notice of creditable coverage (PDF) and are or have become covered by Medicare, you may decide to enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan later and not be subject to a late enrollment penalty – as long as you had creditable coverage within 63 days of your Medicare prescription drug plan enrollment. Please read the notice of creditable coverage (PDF) carefully and keep this notice with your important records.

Remember, Health Advocate is a free and confidential resource to help answer your questions regarding Medicare. From discussing the different choices to explaining coverage and costs, they are able to assist you, your spouse, dependent children, parents, and parents-in-law. Their phone number is 1 (866) 695-8622.

• Learn about the ABCs of Medicare (PDF)
• Top reasons to call for Medicare guidance (PDF)
• Top reasons to call for Medicare guidance (French) (PDF)

Retiree Medical Insurance Coverage

UNE offers a program for long-term employees to continue on the university medical plan under certain circumstances prior to age 65. The cost for continuing medical coverage for early retirees will be borne completely by the former employee. The purpose of this extension of benefits is to allow access to group coverage prior to their eligibility for Medicare for employees wishing to retire early. 

The following criteria must be met in order to qualify:

1. The employee must have completed 20 years of service at the time that the continuation of coverage becomes effective
2. The employee must be age 60 prior to their retirement date

Coverage continues until the date the retiree and eligible dependent become entitled to Medicare.

Contact Human Resources for more information.

Online Health Resources

We continue to find ways to bring you health care in ways that are convenient. Create an online account and get the mobile apps to get access to your health, vision, and dental information as well as ID cards and other resources on your mobile device.

• Download the Cigna Mobile App (PDF)
• Set up your Delta Dental Mobile App (PDF)

Find a Doctor

• Find an in-network Cigna provider (PDF)*
• Where to seek care — know before you go (PDF)

*Look for providers listed in the Open Access Plus, OA Plus, ChoiceFund OA Plus network

Health Advocate

Heath Advocate is a free and confidential benefit that helps you and your family (spouse, dependent children, parents, and parents-in-law) get answers involving your medical, hospital, dental, mental health, medications, and other health care and selected life event issues. The Health Advocate Overview (PDF) outlines the many features provided. Other resources include:

• The Top Reasons to Call Heath Advocate - English (PDF)
• The Top Reasons to Call Heath Advocate - French (PDF)
• Health Advocate's Clinical Advisory Service (PDF) can assist when dealing with a serious health issue. The Clinical Advisory Service document is also available in French (PDF).
• Tips on Protecting Against Identity Theft (PDF)
• Set up your Health Advocate Mobile Account (PDF)

Contact Health Advocate by calling 1 (866) 695-8622. Normal business hours are Monday–Friday, between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. EST, but staff is available after hours and on weekends.