Tulane University offers three medical plan options through Blue Cross Blue Shield:
- 2025 High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
- 2025 Health Reimbursement Account Plan (HRA)
- 2025 Point of Service Plan (POS)
New Employees: All newly hired benefits-eligible or newly eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the HRA plan. You have 30 days from your hire or eligibility date to switch plans, decline coverage, or remain enrolled in the HRA plan.
Manage Your Benefits: Blue Cross Blue Shield provides an easy way to manage your benefits through the My Health Toolkit App. This app serves as a one-stop destination for accessing and managing your healthcare benefits. Check out this flyer for details on how to get started.
You are eligible to enroll in medical benefits if the below applies:
- An employee scheduled in HCM to work 18.75 hours or more per week
- A full-time employee scheduled to work with the university for no less than 7 months
- A part-time employee working at least 50% of a full-time schedule and expected to work no less than 7 months
These requirements apply to faculty, staff, administrators, librarians, post-doctoral fellows, and expatriates. Visit our enrollment webpage for detailed instructions on how to enroll.
Not sure which plan to select for your medical benefits? Try out Blue Cross Blue Shield's Plan Comparison Tool to learn more about what your potential healthcare costs could be over the coming year.
Please note: This tool is designed only to estimate potential healthcare costs, starting with in-network costs. Several factors, including whether or not your provider is in or out of our network, could impact your actual benefits costs over the course of the year.
Click below on the tool that corresponds with your salary band:
- Plan Comparison Tool - Tulane Less than 52500
- Plan Comparison Tool - Tulane 52500 - 84699
- Plan Comparison Tool - Tulane 84700 - 109999
- Plan Comparison Tool - Tulane 110000 and above
All three medical plans include the same prescription drug benefits, which are administered through OptumRx Pharmacy. All medical and prescription co-payments, deductibles, and co-insurance payments go towards satisfying your out-of-pocket maximum.
Your copayment and/or coinsurance are determined by the tier to which the drug is assigned on the Prescription Drug List (PDL). To determine tier status and search for network pharmacies, log on to MyHealthToolkitla.com or call the Customer Care number on your medical ID card.
Prescription Drug Plan
*The HDHP does not have co-pays; you will pay the full price for prescriptions until the deductible is met. Once the deductible is met, you will pay 20% in coinsurance.
To view alternative health insurance options through the Health Insurance Market, click here.
All benefits-eligible employees are required to have medical coverage. If you choose to decline medical coverage because you have other coverage, you must complete a Medical Waiver Form and provide proof of your other medical coverage. If proof is not submitted within 30 calendar days, you will be automatically enrolled in the HRA plan for single coverage.
To successfully decline medical coverage, follow the steps below:
Steps to Decline Medical Coverage
- Log in to Gibson Online
- Use your single username and password.
- Access HCM Self-Service
- Under the "Staff" or "Faculty" tab, click "HCM Self-Service."
- Enter your single username and password again if prompted.
- Navigate to Benefits
- Under the "Tulane Employee Self-Service" link, select "Benefits."
- Accept the Legal Disclaimer and click "Next."
- Review or Update Dependents and Beneficiaries
- Review the information and click "Next" if everything is correct.
- To add dependents or beneficiaries, follow these instructions.
- Decline Coverage
- Select "TU Benefits" and click "Next."
- Click on the "Benefits Enrollment" tab, then select "Update Benefits."
- For each plan you wish to decline, select the appropriate option and click "Next."
- Designate Beneficiaries (if applicable)
- Enter the percentage of benefits each dependent should receive. Ensure the total equals 100% per beneficiary type (primary or contingent).
- Review and Confirm
- Review your benefit selections, covered dependents, and beneficiaries.
- If changes are needed, click "Back."
- When complete, click "Printable Page" or "Confirmation Statement" to save a record of your elections.
- Click "Finish" to finalize the process.
- Sign Out
- Click "Logout" at the top right corner of the screen to exit HCM Self-Service.
- Click your name at the top right corner of the screen and select "Sign Out" to exit Gibson Online.
Submit Required Documents
- Complete the Medical Waiver Form.
- Provide proof of your other coverage (e.g., front and back of your current medical insurance cards).
- Email the form and proof of coverage to TUBenefits@tulane.edu.
Once your documents are received and your coverage has been successfully declined, you will receive a confirmation email.
Meet Some of Your Tulane Doctors
Tulane Doctors offers a concierge service exclusively for Tulane employees, making it easy to schedule same-day or next-day appointments. Employees can call 1-504-988-TUMD (8863) Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (CT). For added savings, office visit copays with Tulane Doctors are reduced by $20 for those enrolled in the HRA and POS plans. Employees in the HDHP plan benefit from a reduced coinsurance rate of 10% after meeting their deductible.
Spotlight on Urology
Lawrence Jenkins, MD
Associate Chair of Urology, Director of Men’s Health
Dr. Lawrence Jenkins is a board-certified urologist specializing in men’s sexual health and fertility. He is committed to fostering open communication, trust, and empathy, providing a supportive space for men to address sexual health concerns and other urologic conditions.
To meet each patient’s unique needs, Dr. Jenkins offers comprehensive, personalized care, and tailored treatment plans. His expertise includes erectile dysfunction, Peyronie’s disease, male infertility, enlarged prostate (BPH), and vasectomy. He also sees patients for general urologic concerns.
Dr. Jenkins earned his medical degree with research honors from the University at Buffalo, SUNY. He completed his internship and residency at the University of Miami, followed by fellowships in male sexual and reproductive medicine at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and in male infertility and microsurgery at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical College.
In addition to caring for patients, Dr. Jenkins is dedicated to advancing the future of healthcare. He instructs urology residents and medical students, helping ensure that Tulane remains at the forefront of men’s health advancements.
Dr. Jenkins was selected as a 2024 Castle Connolly “Top Doctor.” He welcomes new patients at the EJGH | Tulane Multispecialty Clinic at 4224 Houma Boulevard in Metairie. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-504-503-7500.
Alexis Chesrow, MD, FPMRS
Assistant Professor of Urology, Director of Women’s Health
Dr. Alexis Chesrow is board-certified in both urology and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. She provides specialized care in urogynecology for female patients with sexual dysfunction, complicated incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Dr. Chesrow feels that great care should also be a positive experience and emphasizes a collaborative approach with her patients. She strives to customize treatment options to every patient’s individual needs. Understanding that pelvic issues and incontinence can significantly impact quality of life, Dr. Chesrow focuses on treating female urological concerns including overactive bladder, sexual dysfunction, vaginal prolapse, and more.
After receiving her medical degree from The Chicago Medical School, Dr. Chesrow completed her internship and residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She furthered her expertise through fellowships in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (urogynecology), urology, and male and female voiding dysfunction at Cedars Sinai Hospital.
In addition to her focus on female pelvic health, Dr. Chesrow dedicates part of her practice to caring for patients with neurological issues, including spinal cord conditions, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. She welcomes new patients at the EJGH | Tulane Multispecialty Clinic at 4224 Houma Boulevard in Metairie. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-504-503-7500.
Jorge R. Caso, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Urology, Chief of Urologic Oncology
Dr. Jorge R. Caso is a fellowship-trained urologic oncologist who specializes in all phases of urologic cancers. His expertise is in minimally invasive surgical options for the management of kidney, prostate, penile, bladder, and testicular cancers.
Dedicated to the highest standard of patient care, Dr. Caso provides cutting-edge treatment options such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Dr. Caso is highly experienced in advanced oncology cases, including advanced management with the da Vinci robot. He utilizes both the multiport da Vinci Xi and the SP (single port) approach for precise cancer management.
Dr. Caso received his medical degree and graduated from the residency program at the University of South Florida. He went on to complete a urologic oncology fellowship at Duke University. Dr. Caso has extensive experience in kidney surgery and provides focal therapy for prostate cancer.
Dr. Caso explains things clearly and compassionately to his patients, taking the time to ensure they feel informed, reassured, and supported throughout every step of their treatment. Dr. Caso is available for endourology consultations and second opinions. To schedule an appointment, please call 1-504-503-7500.
Additional Information
Tulane Pharmacy specializes in dispensing medications for complex medical conditions that may be costly, difficult to find, or require special storage. The pharmacy supports patients by coordinating insurance benefits, managing prior authorizations, and assisting with reimbursements or financial aid programs. Specialty medications can be mailed directly to your home or picked up in person.
Tulane Pharmacy is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is located at:
1430 Tulane Avenue, Suite 1502
New Orleans, LA 70112
For more information, call (504) 577-2278 or visit www.tulanepharmacy.com.
Note: Insurance cards are typically mailed out between 7 and 14 business days after your enrollment. You will only receive new medical, dental, vision, and health care FSA cards if you are new to the plans or have changed plans. If you kept the same level of coverage from the previous year, you can continue to use you existing cards. Click here to download the image below.
Insurance Card Previews:
Delta Dental:
EyeMed:
Health Equity:
Understanding Medicare & Social Security
Navigating the benefits available to you through Medicare and Social Security can be a challenge. We've compiled some helpful resources to help you learn more about these programs and how to get the most out of them.
Watch a webinar to learn more.
We'll periodically be scheduling webinars throughout the year for employees to get their most pressing questions answered. Click here to watch the latest webinar presentation and click here to review the presentation materials.
What you'll learn in the webinar:
- When are you eligible to receive retirement benefits?
- How does early retirement affect your benefits?
- Do you qualify for disability, survivors, and spouse benefits?
- How do you get the most from your benefits?
- What is the future of Social Security?
- When should you file for Medicare?
Access the following sites for more information:
Be sure to check out the following sites for the latest details on these programs.
Who is considered a dependent child for medical benefits?
Dependent children include biological, adopted, or stepchildren, as well as foster children and children under legal custody, such as grandchildren. Eligibility extends to children claimed as dependents on the employee's federal tax return.
Who is considered a spouse?
A spouse is the person to whom the employee is legally married. Divorced or legally separated spouses, as well as domestic partners, are not eligible.
Are preventative care services free under all three medical plans?
Yes, preventative care is covered at no cost under all plans.
Is there a separate prescription drug deductible?
- HRA and POS plans: No separate deductible.
- HDHP plan: Prescription drugs are subject to coinsurance until the deductible is met. Using a Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) can help manage this cost.
What is the difference between a deductible and an out-of-pocket maximum?
- Deductible: The amount you must pay before your insurance begins to cover eligible expenses.
- Out-of-Pocket Maximum: The total annual amount you pay, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays, after which the plan covers 100% of eligible costs.
Do my deductible, coinsurance, and copayments apply to my out-of-pocket maximum?
Yes, all these payments contribute toward the out-of-pocket maximum.
Do I need a referral from my primary physician to see a specialist?
No, referrals are not required.
Are psychologists considered specialists for copay purposes?
No, psychologists fall under the Primary Care Physician copay due to the Mental Health Parity Act.
Are physical therapists considered specialists?
No, physical therapists are categorized under the Primary Care Physician copay.
Where can I find out-of-network benefit details?
Out-of-network benefits are available online through the Tulane HR benefits portal.
When will my Tulane medical benefits terminate?
Coverage ends at midnight on the last day of the month when:
- Employment is terminated.
- The employee becomes ineligible for benefits.
- A dependent turns 26 years old.
How can I continue medical benefits through COBRA?
- COBRA allows employees and their dependents to continue medical coverage for up to 18 months (or 36 months for dependents) after losing eligibility.
- You must enroll within 60 days of receiving your COBRA notification.
- Full COBRA premiums are the responsibility of the enrollee.
For additional questions regarding medical benefits or COBRA, contact TUBenefits@tulane.edu or 504-865-HR4U (4748).
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out:
Phone: 504-865-HR4U (4748)
Email: TUBenefits@tulane.edu
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST
