Health Benefits

Harvard provides comprehensive health benefits to our faculty and staff, supporting you and your family at every stage of life. Our health benefits range from medical, dental, and vision coverage to specialized programs designed to help those facing high medical costs. With a variety of options, you can find the coverage that meets your needs at all stages of your life.

Medical Coverage

Harvard offers subsidized medical coverage through two primary carriers: Harvard University Group Health Plan (HUGHP) and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA). Employees have a variety of plan options, allowing you to select the one that fits your family’s needs.

You can learn more by reviewing our Medical Plan Overview.

Plan Options:

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO): Choose a primary care physician (PCP) who coordinates your care and referrals to specialists. Out-of-network care is generally not covered, except in emergencies.
• Point of Service (POS): Like the HMO, you designate a PCP, but with more flexibility to use out-of-network providers or in-network specialists without referrals (higher out-of-pocket costs apply).
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO): Available only to employees outside New England. You can see most healthcare providers without a referral, but out-of-network care will cost more.
• High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP): Offers lower premiums and higher deductibles, paired with a Health Savings Account (HSA) to help you manage expenses. You can see most healthcare providers without a referral, but out-of-network care will cost more. Available to faculty and nonunion staff only. (This plan may not meet the J-1 visa minimum coverage requirements.)
• POS Plus: Same benefits as the traditional POS, but with higher premiums and no deductible or coinsurance for in-network services. (Available to faculty and nonunion staff only.)
• PPO Plus: Available only to employees outside New England. Like the PPO, but with higher premiums and no deductible or coinsurance for in-network care. (Available to faculty and nonunion staff only.)

For SEIU Members: Combined medical, dental, and vision coverage through SEIU is available at no cost; members cannot enroll in Harvard’s separate dental or vision plans and domestic partners are not eligible for this coverage.

All plans include prescription coverage, an annual fitness/weight loss reimbursement, and a medical travel benefit. Harvard’s plans also comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requirements. Current employees can find additional details on medical benefits (HarvardKey required) and compare plan features and rates below.

Dental 

Harvard’s dental benefits, provided through the MetLife Dental PDP Plus plan, offer comprehensive coverage, including an extended benefit for employees facing high dental costs that exceed the basic annual maximum.

Learn more in the Dental Plan Overview or by visiting the MetLife Harvard website and clicking on Dental Insurance. Current employees can find additional details on dental benefits (HarvardKey required).

Vision 

In addition to vision benefits in our medical plans, Harvard offers a comprehensive vision care plan from EyeMed. Learn more by reviewing the Vision Plan overview. Current employees can find additional details on vision benefits (HarvardKey required).

Retiree Health 

Retirees who meet eligibility requirements have a choice of medical plans for themselves and eligible dependents, along with a retiree dental option. Eligible retirees and dependents under age 65 are covered under the same plans as active employees, while those age 65 and older have access to comprehensive medical plans that work in tandem with their Medicare coverage and include prescription coverage and much more.

Learn more by reviewing our Retiree Health Coverage overview and MetLife Dental FAQs. Retirees can also learn more about their benefits (HarvardKey required) and compare plan features and rates (HarvardKey required).

Related Benefits

Reimbursement Programs: Harvard’s innovative reimbursement programs provide financial protection and support for employees who have high out-of-pocket medical expenses in a calendar year and who meet certain income requirements. Current employees can learn more about our Reimbursement Programs (HarvardKey required).

Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts: The optional Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care FSA let you pay for eligible expenses using pre-tax dollars, lowering your taxable income and saving you money. 

A Health Savings Account (HSA) is available to those covered by the high-deductible health plan and allows you to save tax-free for current medical expenses as well as future medical costs in retirement.

Current employees can learn more about FSAs and HSA (HarvardKey required).

Eligibility

To be eligible for health and welfare benefits, you must be employed in a benefits-eligible position, working at least 17.5 hours per week or earning a minimum annual salary of $15,000. Eligibility may vary for employees represented by unions, according to union contract. See Benefits Enrollment for additional details on deadlines, enrollment, and eligibility.

For information on special eligibility situations, including domestic partners, COBRA, and others, please refer to our Eligibility - Special Situations Overview.

2026 Benefit Rates and Health Plan Comparison Charts

• Faculty, Administrative/Professional and Other Nonunion Staff
• Employees Covered by a Union
• Harvard Business Publishing

Note: The information presented here is a summary, and while efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, the formal plan documents will govern in case of any discrepancies