Reimbursement Programs

Harvard offers the Reimbursement Program for Faculty, Administrative and Professional Staff, and other Nonunion Staff. In addition, we offer the Copayment Reimbursement Program for Union Staff.

You do not need to enroll in this program, but you do need to be enrolled in a Harvard-sponsored HMO, POS or PPO health plan and file a claim in order to be reimbursed.

Effective March 20, 2024 - We Are Moving!

On March 20, Harvard Benefits will be moving to 124 Mount Auburn Street.

Our new location does not allow for unscheduled walk-in traffic, so in-person meetings will be by appointment only. We strongly encourage virtual Teams/Zoom appointments when possible.

Virtual and in-person appointments for faculty, staff, and retirees can be scheduled by calling 617-496-4001 or by emailing benefits@harvard.edu.

Reimbursement Program

This program provides financial assistance for faculty and nonunion staff who earn up to $110,000 annually, and are faced with high medical costs. 

Program details

  • Reimbursement for in-network, out-of-pocket medical expenses above certain thresholds in a Harvard-sponsored HMO, POS, or PPO plan, but not an HDHP plan.
     
  • Expenses that count toward the thresholds include office visit, emergency room, and pharmacy copayments, deductibles and coinsurance, but not premiums.
     
  • You may use a Health FSA to cover costs up to the threshold and still use the reimbursement program for costs above the threshold.
     
  • No enrollment is necessary but you must file to be reimbursed. Claims must be submitted by March 31 for the prior year (the deadline to file claims for expenses incurred during the 2023 calendar year is April 1, 2024, as March 31 is a Sunday). Voya Financial, Harvard's third-party reimbursement program administrator, recommends that participants use their online portal or mobile app (search for “BenStrat Reimbursement Plan” on your mobile device’s app store) to submit claims and ensure timely service. 

For information on spending thresholds, salary limits, eligible expenses and how file a claim for reimbursement, please refer to the Reimbursement Program overview.

Copayment Reimbursement Program

This program provides financial assistance for union staff members enrolled in a Harvard-sponsored HMO, POS, or PPO plan and are faced with high medical costs.

Program details

  • The program reimburses out-of-pocket, in-network copayments for office visits, prescription drugs, hospital and emergency room visits and high-tech imaging above certain thresholds. 
  • You may use a Health FSA to cover costs up to the threshold and still use the copay reimbursement program for costs above the threshold.
     
  • Salary limits may apply, depending on your union.
     
  • No enrollment is necessary but you must file to be reimbursed. Claims must be submitted by March 31 for the prior year (the deadline to file claims for expenses incurred during the 2023 calendar year is April 1, 2024, as March 31 is a Sunday). Voya Financial, Harvard's third-party copay program administrator, recommends that participants use their online portal or mobile app (search for “BenStrat Reimbursement Plan” on your mobile device’s app store) to submit claims and ensure timely service.

Supplemental Health Care Fund for Local 26 Members

If you are a member of Local 26 and enrolled in a Harvard-sponsored medical plan, you may be reimbursed for emergency room, hospital and high-tech imaging copayments through the Supplemental Health Care Fund. You do not need to meet any salary or expense thresholds in order to apply for reimbursement through this fund.

You cannot submit the same expense to both the Copayment Reimbursement Fund and the Supplemental Health Care Fund, and you cannot be reimbursed for expenses that have already been paid using a Flexible Spending Account (FSA).

For information on 2023 claims, please refer to the 2023 Reimbursement Program overview. Reimbursement claims for 2023 copayments must be postmarked by January 31, 2024. To file a claim, please see the Supplemental Health Care Fund FAQ and Claim Form.