Medical with Prescription Coverage
NMU offers its employees medical coverage administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Michigan. Prescription coverage is through CVS/Caremark.
2026 Plan Rates
| Single Plan | Two-Person Plan | Family Plan | |
| Staff* | $ 74.12 | $ 177.88 | $ 222.35 |
| Faculty + Staff w/o pay spread** | $ 96.36 | $ 231.24 | $ 289.05 |
*Full-time staff bi-weekly deduction is over 26 pays
**All Faculty plus all staff who are less than 12 months and do not elect/not eligible for pay spread, will have their deductions spread over 20 pays (10 in Winter and 10 in Fall)
Vaccine Services
The NMU group health plan has traditionally covered vaccines under the medical plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield. Effective November 1, 2023, vaccines will also be covered under the pharmacy plan with CVS Caremark. Vaccine services are covered at 100% with no employee cost share. You may present either card when you are receiving a vaccination.
Dental Coverage
NMU offers its employees dental coverage administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Michigan.
- Dental Benefits At-A-Glance (effective 1/1/2026)
- Find an in-network dentist at www.mibluedentist.com
- Navigating Dental Benefits in a Changing Landscape Webinar _ October 2024
2026 Plan Rates
| Single | Two-Person | Family | |
| AAUP/NMUFA/TOP/AFSCME/POAM | $ 0 | $ 0 | $ 11.10 (26 pay) $14.42 (Faculty and 20 pay staff) |
| Non-Reps/AP/COAM | $ 0 | $0 | $ 0 |
Flexible Spending Accounts
NMU offers two types of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA's) which allows full-time employees to deposit money on a pre-tax basis from their paycheck into an account. The two accounts are:
- Health FSA
- Dependent Care FSA
Funds can then be withdrawn from your account to cover approved out-of-pocket expenses for health care or dependent care.
Flex Spending Accounts are administered through Health Equity / Wage Works.
If you have questions, please utilize the Live Chat function within your participant portal at www.healthequity.com/wageworks or call the HealthEquity team at 866-242-3458. They are available 24/7.
Upon separation of service, you may still be reimbursed for services incurred prior to the end of the month in which you left employment. You will have 30 days after your benefit termination date to process eligible expenses for reimbursement. After 30 days, any remaining funds in the health care FSA will be forfeited unless you enroll in COBRA.
Vision Coverage
Vision coverage is administered by EyeMed. NMU pays the full premium for eligible employees, their spouses, and their dependent children.
Life Insurance Coverage
Northern Michigan University provides group term life insurance through Lincoln Financial Group for employees working half-time or more. The amount of Basic Life Insurance is equal to one times annual salary rounded to the next thousand ($350,000 maximum). There is also a double indemnity clause which doubles the benefit for accidental death. At termination of employment, coverage ends and employees are given the information needed to contact Lincoln Financial regarding conversion and portability options.
In addition to the university provided life insurance benefit, supplemental employee life insurance and dependent life insurance are available at the employee's cost.
Disability Insurance Coverage
Short-Term Disability
After one year of full-time employment and after sick leave has been exhausted, eligible employees are paid 75% of their base salary for up to six months. Employees who accumulate annual leave will use accumulated and unused annual leave to make up the difference between short-term disability payments and full salary.
Long-Term Disability
Long-term disability is a benefit to employees after they have been employed for one year. After six (6) months of disability, the policy pays up to 60% of basic annual salary less social security, retirement, workers’ compensation, etc. Premiums are currently paid by the University.
NMU has partnered with Lincoln Financial Group to provide long-term disability insurance to employees who work at least thirty (30) hours per week and to faculty who teach twelve (12) or more credited hours in a semester.
Additional Information
A nonopioid directive helps fight the opioid epidemic by allowing patients to notify health professionals they do not want opioids. A patient, a person’s legal guardian, or patient advocate can now fill out a State of Michigan Form that directs health professionals and emergency medical services personnel to not administer opioids. The form should be submitted to the patient's primary care physician and included in the patient’s medical records.
A link to the directive form can be found by visiting www.michigan.gov/opioids. Click on the “Find Help” section and then scroll down to the bottom to "Additional Resources."
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, or COBRA, allows you to continue group medical insurance, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage on an individual basis when you or your dependents become ineligible for University benefits. At that time, the COBRA notice and current rates will be mailed to your, or your dependents losing the health benefits.