Source: College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, 2014
The Employee Healthcare and Other Benefits Survey collects data on the most representative healthcare and non-healthcare benefits offered to faculty and staff employed in a cross-section of the nation’s colleges and universities. Healthcare data is collected annually and non-healthcare data every two years. The latter includes basic life insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid time-off, tuition assistance and retirement benefits.
As a result of changes to healthcare benefits stemming from the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and in an effort to better control costs, many higher education institutions are passing more of the cost of healthcare along to their employees. According to findings from CUPA-HR’s 2014 Employee Healthcare and Other Benefits in Higher Education Survey, 41 percent of respondents have increased the employee share of premium costs since the ACA went into effect. Additionally, 26 percent have increased in-network deductibles, 27 percent have increased out-of-pocket limits, 20 percent have increased the employee share of prescription drug costs, and 24 percent have increased the employee share of dependent coverage costs. Many institutions are also ramping up their efforts to encourage healthy living among employees, with 36 percent of respondents indicating they have adopted or expanded a wellness program and 21 percent saying they have adopted or expanded the use of financial incentives to encourage healthy behaviors. …
Other Findings of Note:
Other findings from this year’s benefits survey:
PPO plans continue to be the plan of choice for a majority of institutions – 82 percent of respondents offer PPO plans. However, HDHPs continue to increase in popularity, with 44 percent of respondents offering this type of plan (up from 17 percent in 2009).
Sixty percent of institutions offer healthcare benefits to same sex domestic partners or spouses (up from 46 percent five years ago).
A substantial percentage of institutions offer healthcare benefits to part-time staff and faculty (42 percent and 36 percent, respectively), and most of those also pay part of the premium.
None of the institutions not offering healthcare benefits for part-time employees provide financial support for enrollment in a public exchange, and only 2 percent are considering doing so next year.
Almost all institutions provide basic life insurance, long-term disability, paid time-off, tuition assistance and retirement benefits. Short-term disability, however, is only offered by 64 percent of the respondents.
Related:
Survey
Press Release
Fact Sheet
3 Trends in Employee Benefits in Higher Ed