In addition to the strong customer service and care coordination offered by BCBS, transitioning to a single provider will also promote consistency, enabling Brown to provide benefits-eligible employees with an additional plan option under a single provider.
Over 99% of United Healthcare (UHC) in-network providers currently used by the Brown community will continue to be in-network with BCBS.
There will be three plan options available under our single medical plan provider, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBS).
In addition to the transition to a single provider, we will be adding a new PPO plan called the BCBS Core plan. This plan is a lower-cost PPO option that provides you with more choices in meeting your health care needs.
For 2026, medical plan rates will increase by 9.5% for both the PPO Premier Plan and CDHP. The Core Plan rate will remain consistent with the 2025 PPO rates.
Bargaining Unit members should refer to their Collective Bargaining Agreement for contribution percentages.
BCBS Core Plan Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| In-Network (Employee Only/Employee + Dependent(s)) | Out-of-Network (Employee Only/Employee + Dependent(s)) | |
| Deductible | $750/1,500 | $1,500/$3,000 |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum | $3,500/$7,000 | $3,500/$7,000 |
| Coinsurance | 10% | 20% |
| PCP Visit | $25 copay | 20% |
| Specialist Visit | $35 copay | 20% |
| Emergency Room | $150 copay | $150 copay |
| Inpatient Hospital | 10% | 20% |
| Outpatient Surgery | 10% | 20% |
| Pharmacy | $10/$30/$50 | |
| Actuarial Value (AV) | 88.5% | |
BCBS Premier PPO Plan Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| In-Network (Employee Only/Employee + Dependent(s)) | Out-of-Network (Employee Only/Employee + Dependent(s)) | |
| Deductible | $250/$500 | $500/$1,000 |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum | $3,500/$7,000 | $3,500/$7,000 |
| Coinsurance | 0% | 20% |
| PCP Visit | $20 copay | 20% |
| Specialist Visit | $30 copay | 20% |
| Emergency Room | $150 copay | $150 copay |
| Inpatient Hospital | 0% after deductible | 20% |
| Outpatient Surgery | 0% after deductible | 20% |
| Pharmacy | $10/$30/$50 | |
| Actuarial Value (AV) | 92.8% | |
We know that plan changes and rate increases can be complex. We also encourage you to consider whether the CDHP with HSA plan—the lowest-cost option—could be a good fit for you.
BCBS CDHP with HSA* Plan Summary | ||
|---|---|---|
| In-Network (Employee Only/Employee + Dependent(s)) | Out-of-Network (Employee Only/Employee + Dependent(s)) | |
| Deductible | $2,000/$4,000 | $2,000/$4,000 |
| Out-of-Pocket Maximum | $3,500/$7,000 | $3,500/$7,000 |
| Coinsurance | 10% | 30% |
| PCP Visit | 10% | 30% |
| Specialist Visit | 10% | 30% |
| Emergency Room | 10% | 10% |
| Inpatient Hospital | 10% | 30% |
| Outpatient Surgery | 10% | 30% |
| Pharmacy | $10/$30/$50 after deductible | |
| Actuarial Value (AV) | 86.2% | |
*For eligible employees, Health Savings Accounts will continue to be funded at the current levels: $500 for employees enrolled in employee only coverage and $1,000 for employee + dependent(s).
| BCBS Core Plan (Employee Only/Employee + Dependent(s)) | BCBS Premier PPO Plan (Employee Only/Employee + Dependent(s)) | BCBS CDHP with HSA Plan (Employee Only/Employee + Dependent(s)) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Network | Out-of-Network | In-Network | Out-of-Network | In-Network | Out-of-Network | |
| Deductible | $750/1,500 | $1,500/$3,000 | $250/$500 | $500/$1,000 | $2,000/$4,000 | $2,000/$4,000 |
| OOP Max | $3,500/$7,000 | $3,500/$7,000 | $3,500/$7,000 | $3,500/$7,000 | $3,500/$7,000 | $3,500/$7,000 |
| HSA Funding | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $500/$1,000* | |
| Coinsurance | 10% | 20% | 0% | 20% | 10% | 30% |
| PCP Visit | $25 copay | 20% | $20 copay | 20% | 10% | 30% |
| Specialist Visit | $35 copay | 20% | $30 copay | 20% | 10% | 30% |
| Emergency Room | $150 copay | $150 copay | $150 copay | $150 copay | 10% | 10% |
| Inpatient Hospital | 10% | 20% | 0% after deductible | 20% | 10% | 20% |
| Outpatient Surgery | 10% | 20% | 0% after deductible | 20% | 10% | 20% |
| Pharmacy | $10/$30/$50 | $10/$30/$50 | $10/$30/$50 after deductible | |||
| Actuarial Value (AV) | 88.5% | 92.8% | 86.2% | |||
*Health Savings Accounts will continue to be funded at the current levels: $500 for employees enrolled in employee only coverage and $1,000 for employee + dependent(s).
All Brown employees electing medical coverage will need to actively enroll during the annual Open Enrollment period. If you are currently enrolled in Brown's medical coverage and you do not make an active election for 2026 coverage, you will be defaulted into the new BCBS Core PPO medical plan.
Please watch for Today@Brown announcements regarding Open Enrollment, which will start in October 2025.
We understand that changes to your benefits are important, and we are committed to providing comprehensive plans to support you and your family.
Learn more about the 2026 medical plan changes, including frequently asked questions, actions to take, and resources available.