New Medical Plan Options

Beginning January 2024, we’ll offer a single network of physicians and providers through CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS). We’ll no longer offer the EHP Classic POS Plan. The Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan will continue to be available but only to those who are currently enrolled in it.

Here are the medical options for 2024:

Both the CareFirst Core PPO Plan and the CareFirst Enhanced PPO Plan are similar to the CareFirst BCBS PPO Plan currently offered. The CareFirst Core Plan offers 80% coinsurance (what the plan pays versus what you pay) and the CareFirst Enhanced PPO Plan offers 90% coinsurance.

  • There are no changes to the CareFirst HDHP or the Kaiser Permanente HMO Plan.
  • If you select one of the CareFirst medical plans, you will:
    • Have access to Quantum Health, JHU’s new health care advocacy service
    • Have your prescription drugs managed by Capital Rx
    • Receive one medical ID card with information about both your medical and pharmacy benefits, including contact info for Quantum Health and Capital Rx
    • Have a combined out-of-pocket maximum (the most you’ll pay in a year for medical, mental health, and prescription drugs); see the medical comparison chart below for more details
    • Need prior authorization for certain services, including surgeries, diagnostic tests and scans, oncology care and services, dialysis, transplants, hospice care, hospitalization, inpatient care, and medical equipment rentals or purchases. Quantum Health will manage this process.

To find in-network CareFirst providers, you will need to enter the prefix: JHU.

Provider Search (Prefix: JHU) 

The cost of coverage for the CareFirst plans depends on your employment status with the university and your salary tier.

2024 Faculty & Staff Rates

Before you choose a medical plan for 2024, it’s important to understand how each plan works. All the CareFirst plans offer a national network and provide coverage for the same broad range of services, including eligible preventive care (covered at 100%) and prescription drug coverage. The medical plans differ in the way you access and pay for care. Here’s a summary of some key plan features.

In-Network Benefits (unless otherwise labeled)* CareFirst High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) CareFirst Core PPO Plan CareFirst Enhanced PPO Plan
Provider network BlueChoice Advantage PPO network (through CareFirst) BlueChoice Advantage PPO network (through CareFirst) BlueChoice Advantage PPO network (through CareFirst)
Access to Quantum Health advocacy service Yes Yes Yes
Annual deductible
(what you pay for medical and mental health services before the plan pays benefits)
In-network:
$1,750 individual
$3,500 family**

Out-of-network:
$3,500 individual
$7,000 family
In-network:
$500 individual
$1,500 family

Out-of-network:
$1,000 individual
$3,000 family
In-network:
$250 individual
$750 family

Out-of-network:
$500 individual
$1,500 family
Out-of-pocket maximum
(the most you'll pay in a year for medical, mental health, and prescription drugs)
In-network:
$3,500 individual
$7,000 family

Out-of-network:
$7,000 individual
$14,000 family
In-network:
$2,000 individual
$6,000 family

Out-of-network:
$4,000 individual
$8,000 family
In-network:
$1,000 individual
$3,000 family

Out-of-network:
$2,000 individual
$6,000 family
Coinsurance
(what you pay for most services after the deductible is met)
In-network: 20%

Out-of-network: 40%
In-network: 20%

Out-of-network: 30%
In-network: 10%

Out-of-network: 30%
Health Savings Account (HSA) eligible Yes No No
JHU Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution
(contribution amount depends on salary band)
Salary band $40,000 or less:
$500 individual
$1,000 family

Salary band $40,001–$60,000:
$250 individual
$500 family
Not applicable Not applicable
Flexible Spending Account (FSA) eligible No; eligible for Limited Purpose FSA (for eligible dental and vision care expenses only) Yes Yes
Prescription drugs managed by Capital Rx Capital Rx Capital Rx
Prescription drugs After meeting the plan's medical deductible, you pay a copay or coinsurance amount per prescription No deductible; you pay copay or coinsurance depending on the type of drug No deductible; you pay copay or coinsurance depending on the type of drug
Preventive care 100% covered, no deductible 100% covered, no deductible 100% covered, no deductible
Office visit
(primary and specialist)
You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met You pay 10% of the cost after deductible is met
Diagnostic, X-ray, MRI, CAT scan You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met You pay 10% of the cost after deductible is met
Urgent care You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $50 copay $40 copay
Emergency room You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $150 copay (waived if admitted) $100 copay (waived if admitted)
Outpatient surgery
(medical and mental health services)
You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met You pay 20% of cost after deductible is met You pay 10% of cost after deductible is met
Hospitalization
(medical and mental health services)
You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $250 copay + you pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $250 copay + you pay 10% of the cost after deductible is met
Mental Health & Substance Abuse - outpatient You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met You pay 20% of cost after deductible is met You pay 10% of cost after deductible is met
Mental Health & Substance Abuse - inpatient You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $250 copay + you pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met $250 copay + you pay 10% of the cost after deductible is met
Occupation/Physical/Speech Therapy (limited to a combined 90 days per illness or injury per calendar year) You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met You pay 20% of cost after deductible is met You pay 10% of cost after deductible is met
Pre- and Post-Natal Care- routine 100% covered, no deductible 100% covered, no deductible 100% covered, no deductible
Artificial Insemination (AI) and Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI)

limited to six (6) attempts per live birth and up to a lifetime maximum benefit of $100,000 combined with IVF and Prescription Drugs.
You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met You pay 20% of cost after deductible is met You pay 10% of cost after deductible is met
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

limited to three (3) attempts per live birth; and a lifetime maximum of $100,000 combined with AI/IUI and Prescription Drugs.
You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met You pay 20% of cost after deductible is met You pay 10% of cost after deductible is met
Gender Affirming Care Benefits are available to the same extent as benefits provided for other inpatient and outpatient services. Click here for an overview.
Vision Care Adult biennial eye exam covered 100% through Wilmer; must call 410-955- 5080 to schedule

Eyeglasses, new contact lenses, and dispensing of contact lenses not included
Telemedicine – MD Live
$20 copay
Prescription drugs: retail
(up to 30-day supply)
Generic: $10 copay after deductible

Formulary brand name: You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met

Non-formulary brand: You pay 25% of the cost after deductible is met
Generic: $10 copay

Formulary brand name: You pay 20% of the cost (max $60)

Non-formulary brand: You pay 25% of the cost (max $125)
Generic: $10 copay

Formulary brand name: You pay 10% of the cost (max $30)

Non-formulary brand: You pay 10% of the cost (max $75)
Prescription drugs: mail order
(up to 90-day supply)
Generic: $25 after deductible

Formulary brand name: You pay 20% of the cost after deductible is met

Non-formulary brand: You pay 25% of the cost after deductible is met
Generic: $20 copay

Formulary brand name: You pay 20% of the cost (max $120)

Non-formulary brand: You pay 25% of the cost (max $250)
Generic: $20 copay

Formulary brand name: You pay 10% of the cost (max $60)

Non-formulary brand: You pay 10% of the cost (max $150)
Family includes two or more individuals.

* You have the option to use out-of-network providers. However, the plan pays less for out-of-network services, and there is a separate deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Certain services may not be covered. See the summary of benefits and coverage for details.

** The full family deductible must be met before you begin paying coinsurance. The deductible may be met by one individual or the combined amount contributed by all members covered by your insurance.
* You have the option to use out-of-network providers. However, the plan pays less for out-of-network services, and there is a separate deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Certain services may not be covered. See the summary of benefits and coverage for details.

All prescription drug managers (including JHU's new pharmacy benefits manager, Capital Rx) have a formulary—a list of drugs covered by the plan. JHU's plan covers both formulary and non-formulary drugs. However, you'll pay more for non-formulary drugs.

Get Special Tax Savings With a Health Savings Account (HSA)

If you choose the HDHP, you’re eligible to participate in a special tax-advantaged HSA that allows you to set aside funds on a pretax basis to help pay your out-of-pocket health care expenses.

If you earn $60,000 or less a year, JHU will contribute to your HSA. The amount of the annual contribution will depend on your salary band:

  • $40,000 or less band: $500 single / $1,000 family
  • $40,001–$60,000 band: $250 single / $500 family

To be eligible for an HSA, you must be enrolled in the HDHP, and you cannot be:

  • Covered by other non-high-deductible health plan coverage
  • Covered by Medicare
  • Eligible to be claimed as a dependent on another’s tax return
  • Covered by a spouse’s traditional Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or participate in an FSA, unless it’s a Limited Purpose FSA
Due to the end of the public health emergency, COVID-19 testing, including over-the-counter tests, will no longer be covered at 100% by JHU’s medical plans.