Health Insurance
Human Resources Policy: 30.001Staff holding positions on the regular payroll are eligible to elect group health insurance through Brown. Brown University offers several health insurance options. An Open Enrollment period is held, usually on an annual basis, at which time staff can add, drop or change their level of coverage or carrier. This policy is administered by the Benefits Office, which can provide additional information.
Eligibility for Health Insurance
Staff may elect to cover themselves, and, if applicable, their spouses and/or children. Spouses may include those who are legally married, those who fit the definition of common law spouse or same sex domestic partners who meet defined criteria. Children may include the employee's unmarried natural and/or legally adopted children, or children for whom the employee has been granted legal guardianship. Except in certain circumstances, children must be under the age of 19 or full-time students under the age of 25.
Health insurance becomes effective the first day of the month following or coinciding with the date of hire. Coverage ceases at the end of the month in which eligibility ends.
Please contact the Benefits Office for further information on eligibility for Health Insurance.
Cost for Health Insurance
Costs are outlined in information packages distributed at New Employee Orientation and during Open Enrollment and may also be obtained from the Benefits Office. Brown contributes to the cost of insurance premiums when an employee is scheduled to work more than 975 hours per year.
Tax treatment of Health Insurance
Employees' paychecks are generally reduced monthly by the amount of the appropriate health insurance premiums on a pre-tax basis. This pre-tax plan is governed by Internal Revenue Service regulations. Under certain circumstances it may be necessary or desirable to deduct premiums on a post-tax basis.
Duplicate Health Insurance (Buyout)
Staff who are regularly scheduled to work 975 hours per year, and who certify that they are covered by health insurance from a source outside of Brown, may be eligible to receive a cash payment if they decline to enroll in Brown's group health insurance. This money is considered taxable income.
Note: Newly hired employees who decline Brown's health insurance may, upon election, receive a pro-rated cash payment.
Additional information on the Buyout program is available from the Benefits Office.