Every year, we closely review our benefits to deliver you plans that encompass health and wellbeing, financial protection, and more. This year, we’ve moved beyond one-size-fits-most benefit options and elevating the game, because to WGU, our fiscal responsibility means more than just checking bottom line boxes. It extends to modernizing your healthcare so you can drive your wellbeing decisions with more choices, better information, and greater transparency. Review the chart below for a high-level overview of what’s new for 2025. Remember, if a category isn’t listed, there are no changes.
| New for 2025 | |
| Medical Plans | WGU’s High Deductible Health Plan or HDHP pairs low-premium, high-deductible coverage with a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) that helps you save money and plan for future medical expenses. This combination gives you more control over your money, and rewards you for making healthy, cost-conscious choices. WGU’s Low Deductible Health Plan, the Informed Choice Health plan or ICHP, uses the same network of providers as the HDHP.
Virtual Visits: As MDLive phases out in 2025, you have access to UHC’s network of 24/7 Virtual Visit providers, including Dr. On Demand, Teledoc, and Amwell. You can schedule virtual visits through your plan’s app. |
| Wellbeing Incentive moving to Lifestyle Savings Account (LSA) | Those who enrolled in the ICHP have a Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA). The LSA program, powered by ThrivePass, provides benefits to employees for completing wellbeing activities. You can earn $150 for each qualifying activity, up to a maximum of $750, with plenty of options for using them. While funds are not tax free, services for physical fitness, spa, healthy eating, athletic gear, and more are included in ThrivePass. If you qualified for the 2025 wellbeing incentive and were in the LDHP plan, you will get $750 by February 2025 deposited into your Lifestyle Spending Account. This deposit will be in addition to any incentive you earn during 2025. |
| Prescription coverage by CVS Caremark | All your pharmacy benefits are available via CVS Caremark. You have expanded options to receive pharmacy benefits through Costco, CVS, Kroger (Smith’s), Sav-On, and Walgreens, among others. Your medications can be delivered to your home via the CVS Caremark mail order program, too. Most pharmacy benefits are enhanced or have stayed the same, backed by CVS Caremarks commitment to cost transparency and implementing formulary strategies that drive down prices. |
| ALEX |
ALEX is your decision support tool to help you make benefit decisions and learn more about WGU’s offerings. |
| 2ndMD | 2ndMD connects you with board-certified, leading doctors across the country for an expert second opinion via video or phone on an array of procedures. |
| Spring Health | Spring Health’s offerings have expanded:
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| Carrot | All pregnancy support is now provided through Carrot. This includes pregnancy and labor/birth support, postpartum support (up to 6 weeks), and bereavement support related to pregnancy or infant loss, as well as Doula support services. |
| Telehealth Enhancements | You now have access to UHC’s network of 24/7 Virtual Visit providers, including Dr. On Demand, Teledoc, and Amwell. You may schedule virtual visits through your plan’s app. |
| Health Savings Account (HSA) | The annual HSA contribution limits released by the IRS will increase from $4,150 to $4,300 for employee-only coverage and from $8,550 to $8,300 for family coverage. |
| Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) | The healthcare FSA limit for 2025 is $3,300. When making your elections, remember that any remaining balance of $660 or less will be carried over to the next year. You will lose any funds in excess of $660. You will have until March 31, 2025 to submit healthcare claims for eligible expenses incurred during 2025. |
2025 Employee Contributions for Medical Coverage
| Plan/Tier | Employee Cost Per Paycheck (Biweekly Rates) |
|---|---|
| HDHP | |
| Employee Only | $37.99 |
| Employee + 1 | $111.52 |
| Employee + Family | $186.10 |
| HDHP enrollees can quality for the HSA contribution from WGU | |
| WGU HSA Match | Employee Only: $38.46 per paycheck ($1,000/yr max) Employee + 1 or Family: $76.92 per paycheck ($2,000/yr max) |
| WGU HSA Wellbeing Contribution | $750 Annual |
| ICHP | |
| Employee Only | $53.08 |
| Employee + 1 | $161.54 |
| Employee + Family | $242.31 |
| WGU LSA Wellbeing Contribution | $750 Annual |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS – 2025 BENEFITS
General
Where can I learn more about the ICHP plan?
Check out a preview of Surest here. Test the Surest demo and get in touch with an expert here.
How can I find out if my current doctor is in-network?
Both the HDHP and ICHP use a national network called Choice Plus. Specifically in Utah, the network is called Options PPO.
- Search the Choice Plus Network
- Search the Options PPO Network (Utah only)
- Behavioral Healthcare Providers
The HDHP and ICHP both provide access to a national network of behavioral health providers, including Spring Health providers. Search for behavioral health providers here.
What if I’m being treated for a health issue by a health care professional who isn’t in the Choice Plus or Options PPO Network?
If you are receiving treatment from an out-of-network healthcare professional, with both the HDHP and ICHP, there is a process to request extended coverage for 2025 for certain conditions. Contact the benefits team through the WGU People Center.
Am I required to have a primary care physician (PCP) in order to have a 24/7 Virtual Visit?
No. You don’t need a PCP or even a referral to use a 24/7 Virtual Visit.
What happens once I reach the 24/7 Virtual Visit provider group’s website?
The first time you use a 24/7 Virtual Visit provider you will set up an account with that provider group. This includes sharing some medical history information, pharmacy preference and insurance information.
Will I get a prescription drug card?
You will use your medical ID card for prescription services.
What kinds of expenses are covered by the LSA?
Eligible expenses related to wellbeing, fitness, mental health, and more are covered.
Why would I want an LSA?
The LSA allows you to earn money by completing wellbeing activities. You can receive $150 per activity up to a maximum of $750 per year. Participating in the LSA means you’re getting paid just for making healthy choices!
Does the LSA rollover?
Yes, the LSA has an annual rollover limit of $2250 with an overall maximum of $3000.
Medical Plans
Will pre-existing conditions be covered?
Pre-existing conditions were waived when the Affordable Care Act became law.
How do I know which medical plan is best for me?
We have a great confidential decision support tool called Alex! It will help you make choices based on your medical needs. If you wish to discuss your coverage options overall, please reach out to HealthAdvocate at 866-695-8622.
What is the difference between Surest and UHC?
Technically, Surest is a subsidiary of UnitedHealthCare. So, you may notice a lot of commonalities between the companies. However, at WGU, UHC provides our High Deductible Health Plan while Surest provides our Informed Choice Health Plan. Both plans share the same network providers; however, each plan has its own design and cost per service, including prescription drug coverage.
Is the High Deductible Health Plan considered an HMO or a PPO?
The High Deductible Health Plan through UnitedHealthCare is a PPO.
Is the Informed Choice Health Plan considered an HMO or a PPO?
The Informed Choice Plan through Surest is a PPO.
What is the out-of-pocket maximum for both plans?
The In-Network maximum out of pocket for the United Healthcare HDHP is $4000 for Individual and $8000 for Family.
The In-Network Maximum Out of Pocket for the Surest Informed Choice Healthcare Plan is $3000 for Individual and $6000 for Family.
What if my healthcare provider is not an in-network provider under the new Surest ICHP or United Healthcare HDHP?
Transition of Care gives members the option to request extended coverage from their current, out-of-network health care professional at network rates for a limited time due to a specific medical condition until the safe transfer to a network health care professional can be arranged.
If your provider is not listed, you can begin the Transition of Care process or to address any questions, please contact United Healthcare at 866-801-4409 or Surest at 866-683-6440.
Please know that all forms must be submitted no later than 45 days after the date your coverage begins on 1/1/2025.
Pharmacy and Prescriptions
How will I know if my prescriptions are still covered and how much it will cost me?
You can research the cost of your current prescriptions through the available links below or by phone at 833-267-8259. Simply type in the name of your medication and the app will show you either the cost of medication or if an alternative is available. If for some reason the website asks you to login, it simply means you need to close the page and reopen.
If I am currently on a specialty drug and get a manufacturer rebate, will the rebate amount be applied to my deductible?
Currently, we can use coupons towards our prescriptions and have those coupons apply toward deductible and out of pocket max, but only at retail/formulary pharmacies. We will have a similar design with CVS, where coupons are accepted at a physical pharmacy location, but not at mail order pharmacies.
Health Savings, Flex Spending and Lifestyle Spending Accounts
How is the Lifestyle Spending Account (ThrivePass) different from a Health Savings Account or a Flexible Spending Account (HealthEquity)?
The ThrivePass LSA is funded entirely by WGU and allows for flexibility with spending on non-traditional wellbeing expenses, such as exercise equipment, natural healing treatments, and healthy meal delivery subscriptions, that are not covered by IRS tax-exemption benefits. The most important differentiator is that any WGU LSA funds that are spent from the ThrivePass LSA will be taxed as income.
Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts are pre-tax accounts that are used for medical-related expenses such as co-pays, prescriptions, and procedures. These funds are added to your account on a pre-tax basis meaning these funds are not taxed as income, as determined by IRS regulations.
Can I still have a Full Purpose Flexible Savings Account if I elect the Informed Choice Health Plan + Lifestyle Spending Account?
To be eligible for the Lifestyle Spending Account at WGU you must be enrolled in the Surest Informed Choice Health Plan. IRS regulations allow a member to contribute to and use funds from a Full Purpose Flexible Spending Account while having an active LSA.
Can I still have a Health Savings Account if I elect the Informed Choice Health Plan + Lifestyle Spending Account?
To be eligible for the Lifestyle Spending Account at WGU you must be enrolled in the Surest Informed Choice Health Plan. While you will still have access to, and are able to spend, prior year(s) Health Savings Account contributions, you will not be able to contribute additional funds to your Health Savings Account without being enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
If I were to leave WGU, can I take my Flexible Spending Account with me?
Unused Flexible Spending Account funds are forfeited if you leave WGU. However, you will have the option to continue your Flexible Spending Account through COBRA.
If I leave WGU, can I take my Lifestyle Spending Account with me?
The ThrivePass Lifestyle Spending Account is funded entirely by WGU, and as such, any unused and accrued funds will be removed from your account upon your date of departure.
What happens to the money in my Health Savings Account if I leave my job or retire?
These funds are 100% yours to keep after you leave WGU. You take that money with you wherever you go. If you enroll in Medicare or even work for another employer that does not have a qualified HDHP, you can still use the available money in your HSA to pay for qualified medical expenses.