Yale New Haven Health has announced details of the 2027 benefits program for employees, noting that while some components will remain the same, there will be several changes and enhancements:
Benefits program 2027 highlights include:
- New: Virtual physical therapy - employees participating in the Cigna medical plan will have access to Hinge Health, a free virtual physical therapy platform for hip, knee, lower back, neck, shoulder, pelvic floor and other musculoskeletal conditions. No referral or copay required.
- New: For pet parents, YNHHS introduces the Wagmo Wellness Plan. Get reimbursed for a portion of your dog’s or cat’s preventive and routine care. Note: Wagmo is a pet wellness program – not insurance. Employees will still have the option to enroll in pet insurance through Nationwide.
- New: Aflac Group Term to 120 Insurance with Long-Term Care combines life insurance protection with living benefits to help provide enhanced coverage, greater efficiencies and added financial flexibility. Note: This program replaces Chubb’s Life with long-term care insurance.
The Wagmo Wellness Plan and Aflac Group Term to 120 Insurance with Long-Term Care are available as payroll deductions.
Changes to the 2027 benefits program include:
Insurance premium contributions
- Due to rising healthcare costs, medical plan contributions will increase moderately in 2027. YNHHS medical coverage remains highly competitive compared to that of other employers and YNHHS continues to pay the vast majority of the cost of coverage for employees.
- Dental premiums will increase slightly; vision premiums will not change.
- For employees who cover a working spouse (who is eligible for health benefits through their employer) under a YNHHS Medical Plan, the working spouse surcharge will increase from $30 to $50 per paycheck, remaining significantly lower than that of other employers. The surcharge does not apply to spouses who are self-employed, Medicare-covered or employed by YNHHS.
Prescription drug changes
- The maximum lifetime coverage amount for fertility drugs will increase from $2,000 to $5,000.
- YNHHS will introduce a $100 individual/$200 family deductible. Once the deductible is met, the plan will cover prescription drugs at the applicable copay or coinsurance amount.
- Judi Rx (formerly Capital Rx) has enhanced its online tools. Employees can now submit pharmacy reimbursement claims online or through a Judi Rx mobile app; see real-time status updates on requests; and navigate directly to the Costco Mail Order portal from the Judi Rx website or mobile app.
Additional program enhancements
- Employees with Aflac Supplemental Health Plans – Group Hospital Indemnity, Critical Illness and Accidental Injury Insurance – will receive a $50 wellness credit for completing eligible preventive screenings for each plan they are enrolled in.
For more information about these and several other 2027 benefits options and changes, visit the BenefitsConnect website, ynhhs-benefits.org, or the Virtual Benefits Fair, virtualfairhub.com/YNHHS.
