Benefits

2025 Benefits

Benefit Providers

Benefit Carrier/Administrator
Medical Plans Medica
Medical Plan- Direct Care Kavira
Health Savings Accounts Chard Snyder
Flexible Spending Accounts Chard Snyder
Dental Delta Dental of MN
Vision EyeMed
Life & AD&D UNUM
Pet Insurance Nationwide
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Unum / Health Advocate
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Medica / Optum EAP
Retirement Plan TIAA
Medicare Options TLC Insurance Group

Benefits Eligibility

To be eligible for Augsburg Benefits, you must have an FTE of .75 (75%) or greater.

You can elect benefits for yourself and eligible dependents.

  • Your spouse or domestic partner
  • Your children under 26

If you have any questions regarding who is eligible for benefits, please email hr@augsburg.edu.

Benefits Eligibility Based on FTE/ Employment Type
FTE/ Type of EE Tuition Benefit 403(b) Match Medical Benefits AD&D / Voluntary Life Insurance Short Term Disability Long Term Disability
FTE 0.75 and Above X X X X X* X
FTE between 0.5 & 0.74 X X
Adjuncts X X
FTE under 0.5, Stipend, and Temporary Staff
Student Employees

*Staff Only

Most benefits are deducted two times per month, 24 times per year. There are two times per year that benefits are not deducted, this is when there are three pay dates in the same month. 

Qualifying Life Event

The benefit choices you make will remain in effect for the entire calendar year unless you experience a qualifying life event. You must complete the enrollment form within 30 days of the event. Your benefit changes will be effective as of the date of change in status or loss of coverage, whichever is later. 

Type of Qualifying Life Events

  • Marriage
  • Birth or adoption of a child
  • Legal separation, divorce, or annulment of marriage
  • Death of a spouse or dependent
  • Dependent loses eligibility due to marriage or reaching maximum age (26)
  • Your spouse or dependent starts or leaves a job
  • A switch in employment status from full-time to part-time or from part-time to full-time by you, your spouse, or your dependent. 

Steps to Change Your Benefits (With a Qualifying Life Event)

  1. Complete the Qualifying Life Event form. You will need to provide documentation proving the type of change and date of change.
  2. The Qualifying Life Event form will be sent to Human Resources for review and approval. This does NOT change your benefits.

Once you have received the approval from human resources, complete the Benefits Enrollment/Change form to complete your benefits. If a Benefits Enrollment/Change form is not completed, your benefits will not change.

Medical Benefits

Augsburg offers two types of medical plans with three networks through Medica: a high-deductible and low-deductible plan with a passport plan and two Accountable Care Organizations(ACO). Once Medica receives your health insurance information, a card will be mailed within 7 to 10 business days. However, you can use the Medica website to get an electronic copy of your insurance card to use right away. 

Compare health plans and look for in-network providers on Augsburg’s Welcome to Medica website: https://augsburguniversity.welcometomedica.com/home

Use the Medica Website to: 

  • Look up benefit information
  • See your claims and explanation of benefits (EOBs)
  • Search doctors in your network
  • Sign up to get your health plan documents delivered online

Helpful Medica Links

To Create your Medica Account: 

  1. To create an account, go to Medica.com/SignIn.
  2. Select “Create account” and follow the instructions to create an account. 
  3. You will be asked to log-in with your email(Augsburg email or personal email is fine) and your membership with your Medica ID number (found on your Medica ID card) or a partial social security number. If you have not received your Medica card in the mail, use your social security number.

High Deductible Versus Low Deductible Insurance Plans

Network Options

  • Choice Passport – Medica’s largest, national network.For care received within the Medica service area, you have the Medica Choice Passport open access network.  For care received outside of the Medica service area (students, while traveling, etc.) you have access to the UnitedHealthcare national network. You are free to see any provider in the Medica network (without a referral) and you are not required to select a primary care clinic.
  • Park Nicollet & HealthPartners Medical Group First ACO – A separate, smaller network of providers delivering services at lower rates for Health Partners and Park Nicollet clinics. This network includes direct access to more than 55 medical and surgical specialties, 50 neighborhood clinics, 18 specialty care centers, 20 urgent care locations, and 6 hospitals. You are free to see any in-network provider –and no referral is necessary.
  • VantagePlus ACO – A combination of several major care systems and independent providers offering a broad geographic access and a greater focus on lowering health care costs. It provides direct access to more than 4,800 providers, 650 clinics, and 11 hospitals. Covers MHealth Fairview and North Memorial Health Clinics. 

Review the Summary of each plan or navigate to the Medica Pre-Enrollment website to compare plans and check clinics/ providers.

If you have specific questions regarding networks and plan options, contact Medica directly for the most up-to-date information.

https://www.medica.com/contact-us#

(800)952-3455

Additional resources located on the back of your ID card

Member Services 1(855)727-5178 

Medica Plan Benefits

As a Medica member, you have additional resources available to assist in your overall well-being. Please refer to your benefit guide for information regarding each of the following:

Omada – Chronic condition (diabetes and hypertension) avoidance and support

Fit Choices – Fitness discounts

Sanvello – Behavioral health support (app-based)

My Health Rewards – Get rewarded for achieving goals on your health journey

CallLink – Medica’s dedicated nurse line. 24/7 support.

Kavira– New in 2025! 

Kavira

Augsburg University is now offering Kavira to all Augsburg employees who are covered under any Augsburg health plan. Kavira offers low to no-cost telehealth and at-home visits to covered employees and their dependents. Even if your immediate family is not covered under Augsburg’s medical plans, if you are enrolled, your family can use Kavira, too! 

Kavira provides primary and urgent care (think everyday healthcare) via messaging, videochats and in-person home or office visits, as well as free and discounted bloodwork, free in-home x-rays, and 300 free medications.

Create your Kavira account online, phone call or through their app to get started. 

Visit www.kavirahealth.com or call (763)373-3858 for more information. 

Savings/ Spending Accounts (with Chard Snyder)

Augsburg offers employee-contributed Health Savings accounts and three types of Flexible Spending Accounts. These accounts allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for certain medical expenses. Augsburg uses Chard Snyder to administer all Savings and Spending Accounts. 

If you have any questions or have any issues logging on to your account, contact Chard Snyder via email or phone: 

800-982-7715

askpenny@chard-snyder.com

Use Chard Snyder to: 

  • View your account balance and activity
  • Speak with a service representative
  • Access account information
  • Access and submit reimbursements
  • Search eligible expenses

Resources for Chard Snyder

Health Savings Account (HSA)

A Health Savings Account (HSA) allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses. The funds in your HSA roll over from year to year and are yours until you spend them.

Please review the current year’s Benefits Guide for plan rates and specific information. 

To participate in an HSA: 

  • You must be enrolled in any Augsburg High Deductible + HSA Plan.
  • You may not be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s tax return.
  • You may not be covered by another health plan that provides first-dollar coverage.
  • You and your spouse may not enroll in a medical Flexible Spending Account that could reimburse your medical expenses. 
  • You may not be enrolled in a government health plan, such as Medicare, Medicaid or TriCare.

How to Use Your HSA

You can start, stop, or change the amount of your HSA contributions anytime during the year. Complete the HSA Contribution form on the HR Forms page to update your biweekly payment or elect a one-time contribution. 

 The HSA enables you to set aside pre-tax dollars to:

  • Pay for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses. 
  • Cover the cost of ongoing out-of-pocket expenses. 
  • Build savings to cover future medical expenses. 

You may use your HSA debit card to pay for qualified healthcare expenses. You must have a sufficient balance in your HSA to cover the expense. If you pay for any out-of pocket health care expenses, you may reimburse yourself with the pre-tax dollars from your HSA later.  You own the amount in your account and may take it if you change your employment status. 

Set up your HSA 

Your HSA Account will be created before the first deposit date of your HSA funds. Payroll will email you once your account has been created. You must verify your identity before any deposits are made to your account. 

  1. Navigate to chard-snyder.com
  2. Select Login and “Access your FSA HRA, HSA Advantage, LSA, Commuter Benefits Accounts.”
  3. Select Get Started under New User
  4. Complete the setup using your name and social security number. Follow on-screen instructions.
  5. Check your “Tasks” to see if identification is required. 

HSA Identity Verification (if required)

  • Your funds will not be available for use until your identity is verified
  • A delay in verifying your identity may delay access to your funds
  • Payroll deductions will continue even if your identity is not verified
  • Identity verification can take up to 5 business days
  • Check your messages and tasks on the Chard Snyder platform for updates. 
  • Your Health Savings Account may be closed if you do not verify your identity.

Helpful HSA Resources

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a tax-advantaged financial account that allows employees to set aside pre-tax money to pay for eligible healthcare expenses. Plan your contributions carefully, as funds do not roll over from year to year. If you don’t use it, you lose it. 

You don’t have to participate in an Augsburg medical plan to enroll in the HealthCare FSA or Dependent Care FSA. 

Please review the current year’s Benefits Guide for plan rates and specific information. 

HealthCare FSA

The Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses for the current plan year. 

FSA Contributions

  • You may make pre-tax contributions to your FSA through payroll deductions. The amount you are allowed to contribute is governed by federal law and outlined in the current year’s Benefits Guide. Keep in mind that you cannot change your election unless you have a corresponding qualifying life event. 

Using your FSA

  • You may pay for eligible health care expenses using a debit card or filing a manual claim. 
  • Your debit card can be used to pay copays and to purchase services and supplies from certified merchants. 
  • If you wish to file a claim for reimbursement, you can access the FSA claim form on the website or by calling customer service. 
  • You will need to provide proof of your expense to Chard Snyder. 

Limited Purpose FSA

  • Limited Purpose FSA for employees enrolled in the High Deductible + HSA Plan.
  • The Limited FSA allows you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to cover out-of-pocket expenses for dental, vision, and post-deductible medical ONLY. 
  • Faculty and staff who enroll in the High Deductible + HSA plan and contribute to an HSA may have a Limited-Purpose FSA that can ONLY be used for qualifying dental and vision expenses incurred during the benefit calendar year. 

Roll Over for Healthcare FSA and Limited Purpose FSA

A set amount of your FSA funds from your HealthCare FSA and Limited Purpose FSA can be carried over to the next calendar year. The government sets this limit, and if funds are not used during the plan calendar year, they will automatically transfer to the next year. 

Dependent Care FSA

If you require dependent care to enable you and/or your spouse to work, look for work, or attend school full-time, you may make pre-tax, payroll-deducted contributions to the dependent care FSA to pay for eligible dependent care expenses. 

Paying Eligible Expenses

  • Claims can be paid using your debit card or submitted using a claim form on Chard Snyder’s website. 
  • Claims are reimbursed only up to the amount available in the FSA when a claim is filed. 
  • On the claim form, you must provide your provider’s Social Security number or Tax ID as part of your reimbursement.

Vision Benefit

This vision plan features coverage for prescription eyewear through a network of participating vision care providers. Augsburg uses EyeMed to administer vision insurance. 

Please review the current year’s Benefits Guide for plan rates and specific information. 

NOTE:  Medica members have eye exam coverage at no cost as part of the preventive coverage offered under both medical plan options.

Group Number: 1008622

Finding a Network Provider 

Dental Benefit

Augsburg is continuing to offer dental coverage through Delta Dental of Minnesota. You have two provider networks: Delta Dental PPO and Delta Dental Premier. You will receive the highest benefit level by using providers in the Delta Dental PPO network, but providers in both networks offer services at negotiated rates. 

Please review the current year’s Benefits Guide for plan rates and specific information. 

Use the Delta Dental website (www.deltadentalmn.org) to: 

  • Find a network dentist
  • View your benefit coverage
  • Estimate the average price per procedure
  • View claims information
  • Print an ID card

Finding a Network Provider

  • Visit www.deltadentalmn.org and select Delta Dental PPO or Delta Dental Premier
  • Call Delta Dental of Minnesota at 1.800.448.3815

Group Number: 50627

Life Insurance/ Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Augsburg partners with  UNUM for Life Insurance and Long-Term Disability Insurance.

Basic Term Life, AD&D and Long-Term Disability Insurance

Augsburg provides all benefits-eligible employees with basic life insurance. The life benefit is payable to your designated beneficiary in the event of your death. AD&D benefits are payable to you in the event of a variety of dismemberments, or an additional benefit is payable to your beneficiary if your death is the result of an accident. The amount of Basic Life insurance available for you is 1.5 times your base annual salary up to a maximum of $200,000.

Augsburg pays the premiums for both life and long-term disability benefits . You only pay a small amount of tax on life insurance amounts over $50,000 . This is referred to as imputed income.

Review the Benefits Guide for more information regarding these benefits.

Voluntary Life/AD&D Insurance

Benefits Eligible employees can elect to buy additional life insurance when they are first employed and during open enrollment. Employees may purchase life insurance for themselves, spouses, and dependents.

Employees may elect up to the Guarantee Issue Amount without submitting an Evidence of Insurability request to UNUM. If you enroll at any coverage amount during initial eligibility, you can purchase up to the Guarantee Issue Amount during future annual enrollments.

Things to Consider

  • You must elect coverage for yourself if you plan to purchase for your dependent or spouse.
  • If you are denied coverage due to evidence of insurability, your spouse and dependents will not be able to have coverage.
  • Your spouse’s and dependents’ coverage cannot exceed more than 50% of your own life insurance election.

Evidence of Insurability (EOI)

You will need to complete an Evidence of Insurability form if:

  • You are a new or existing faculty or staff member and you elect an amount above the guarantee issue amount.
  • You didn’t elect coverage when you were first eligible.

Unum will approve or decline applications based on medical underwriting.

Retirement Plans

Active faculty and staff may begin participating in the TIAA 403(b) retirement plan at any time after attaining the age of 21. The plan has immediate vesting. Augsburg offers two plan levels for employer contributions that are reached by years of service and retirement participation. 

Retirement Plan Level 1

  • This is effective the first of the month following your first year of employment.
  • A Minimum of a 5% employee contribution to receive a 5% pre-tax employer contribution
  • You will receive an email from payroll regarding your eligibility. 

Retirement Plan Level 2

  • After contributing to a level 1 retirement plan for four years, you are automatically moved to a level 2 retirement plan. 
  • At Level 2 Retirement, no employee contribution is necessary, and Augsburg will contribute 8% of your salary to your retirement as the employer. 

Complete the 403(b) Change form to enroll/update your contributions. 

To set up and register your online access or to access your account, please navigate to the TIAA website and create an account with your social security number. You can also call 800.842.2252 with questions or concerns about your account.

Assess your retirement goals, get personalized assistance, and learn about TIAA’s investment services by contacting TIAA Member Services at 800.842.2252.

Adjunct Employee Contributions

Adjunct employees are entitled to receive an employer match based on the number of courses taught. 

Number of Courses Taught Employee Contribution (Minimum) Employer Contribution
Under 10 courses 1% 1%
Over 10 Courses 1.5% 1.5%

If you are an adjunct employee and want to have 100% of your earnings go to your retirement, you must redo the form each semester.

Pet Insurance

For our Augsburg animal enthusiasts, we offer a Pet Insurance benefit that provides a wide array of coverage for accidents, injuries, and illnesses through Nationwide.

This is a voluntary benefit, and costs vary by plan, coverage options, state of residence, and type of pet.

Please call Nationwide at 877.738.7874 or 800.540.2016 and mention you are with Augsburg University or start the quoting process online by navigating to https://benefits.petinsurance.com/augsburg-university.

Use the Nationwide portal to:

  • View plan information
  • Speak to a customer care representative
  • Submit a claim
  • Check claim status

Employee Assistance Programs

Augsburg University offers Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) through Unum and Medica at no cost and is entirely confidential.

UNUM Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Available to All Employees

  • Provided by HealthAdvocate
  • Confidential, short-term counseling from licensed professional counselors for personal issues and achieving a healthy work/life balance
  • Up to 3 face-to-face counseling sessions. In a crisis, emergency help is available 24/7
  • The resources may also be accessed online at www.unum.com/lifebalance
  • Unum EAP benefit includes access to the simple tools needed to create a basic will (Estate planning, Power of attorney, Final arrangements memorandum, etc.)
  • Call the EAP directly at 1.800.854.1446

Medica Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Available to Medica plan members

  • Specialists are available 24/7/365 to talk about personal, financial or legal worries
  • Five counseling sessions per issue/per year covered at 100%
  • A robust collection of interactive resources, webinars, screeners, and information on LiveAndWorkWell.com
  • 30-minute legal consultation at no cost (in person or over the phone)
  • Call the Medical EAP directly at 1.800.626.7944

Additional Benefits and Information

ACTC Tuition Benefit

Augsburg University, Hamline University, Macalester College, St. Catherine University, and the University of St. Thomas are institutions within the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC). Under a Memorandum of Understanding, participating institutions offer tuition remission for the dependent children and spouses of eligible employees. Each institution determines the percentage of remission they provide to students accepted through the ACTC program. The lower benefit percentage is effective when the sending and receiving institution remission benefits differ.  See the ACTC Tuition Remission Benefit Percent chart below to determine the percentage of remission provided by each institution.

                                             From Home Campus
 

To Host Campus

 

    Institution Augsburg Hamline Macalester St. Catherine St. Thomas
   Augsburg — 90% 90% 75% 90%
   Hamline 90% — 90% 75% 90%
   Macalester 90% 90% — 75% 90%
   St. Catherine 75% 75% 75% — 75%
   St. Thomas 90% 90% 90% 75% —

The home campus is defined as the institution where the individual seeking the benefit is employed; the host campus is the institution the prospective student is interested in attending.

Metropass – discounted staff/faculty transit pass

Employees working at least 20-hour week (40-hour pay period) or SEIU faculty members are eligible for a Metropass discount. The current cost is $83 per month. Augsburg University will subsidize cost of $43, resulting in final cost to faculty and staff of $40.00 per month or $20.00 per pay period. Metro Mobility users are eligible for an equivalent contribution. (MetroPass Enrollment / Cancellation)

Travel Assistance (through Unum)

Active, benefit-eligible faculty and staff enrolled in the University’s life insurance plan are members of Assist America and are entitled to the following services when traveling 100+ miles from home:

  • Medical consultation, evaluation, and referral.
  • Hospital admission guarantee.
  • Lost prescription assistance.
  • Emergency medical evacuation.
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance

Medical Bill Saver (through HealthAdvocate)

Augsburg faculty and staff have access to experienced negotiators who can assist with confusing and difficult medical bills. Using fee benchmarking databases to help reduce non-covered medical and dental bills that exceed $400 (regardless of insurance or benefit status), this team will contact doctors, dentists, hospitals and other providers on employees’ behalf to negotiate discounts on the balance due and/or create payment plans. Call 1.800.854.1446 to learn more.

COBRA Benefits Information

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) & Savi

Full-time employees of not-for-profit institutions like Augsburg are eligible for federal loan debt relief and repayment programs through the federal government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) programs. Savi is offered to Augsburg employees and their immediate family members as a tool to explore the various PSLF options and navigate enrollment. Learn More About PSLF & Savi

Medicare

Employees and spouses going on Medicare, things to consider

https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/medicare-basics/working-past-65

  • You do not need to sign up for Medicare right when you turn 65, especially if you (or your spouse) have medical insurance through your employer. 
  • You can sign up for Medicare Part A (This is hospital insurance, covering hospital stays, nursing facility care, etc) at typically no cost. 
  • If you plan to sign up for Medicare and have an HSA, you should stop HSA deductions at least 6 months before your Medicare start date (this will help you avoid a tax penalty).
  • Augsburg provides Credible Drug Coverage through Medica. 
  • When you do sign up for Medicare, you will reach out to Human Resources to fill out the CMS-L564 form. This is an employer verification that is needed to sign up for Medicare. It is important to have HR complete this form as close to your last date as possible per Medicare request. 

If you have any questions regarding Medicare, please contact Gary Deese at gdeese@tlc-affiliate.com. 

The TLC Insurance Group provides information about how Medicare works, when to enroll, Medicare Options, Penalties, and the variety of Plan types from our partners at TLC Insurance Group. Medicare Beneficiary assistance, guidance, and evaluation are provided at no cost to employees and their families.