The Vanderbilt University Postdoctoral Trainee Benefits Program
The Vanderbilt University Postdoctoral Trainee Benefits Program

Medical Plans

The Vanderbilt University Postdoctoral Trainee Benefit Program offers the choice of two PPO plans through Aetna, a well-known international insurance company. Please find a brief description of both types of plans below to assist you in choosing the right plan for you and your family.

Once you have reviewed the descriptions of the plan types, please click on Aetna Plans for access to benefit plan summaries.

Aetna Open Choice PPO 80/60 Base Plan

The Aetna Open Choice PPO 80/60 base plan offered through Aetna provides you comprehensive benefit coverage with an in-network and out-of-network benefit as well as prescription drug benefits. This plan represents what is termed the ‘base plan’, in that it does not offer coverage as rich as the buy-up plan option. In addition, your premiums are covered by the university for this plan. Your dependents’ premiums may be covered as well, depending on your department. Before enrolling your eligible dependents, please check with your Department Administrator to assure that your dependents are eligible for the plan. Please review the benefit comparison below for more information.

Aetna Open Choice 90/70 Buy-Up Option Plan

The Aetna Open Choice PPO 90/70 buy-up option plan offered through Aetna offers you comprehensive benefit coverage with an in-network and out-of-network benefit as well as prescription drug benefits. Before enrolling your eligible dependents, please check with your Department Administrator to assure that your dependents are eligible for the plan. In addition, to review the billing and payment process for this plan, please click on Medical PPO Buy-Up Costs. This sheet provides information on the processes and the actual monthly premium amounts you will pay for this plan. If you are currently enrolled and are making a change to this Aetna 90/70 Buy-up Option, you will not be able to pay during the enrollment process. You will receive an invoice via email.

Please note: If you are currently enrolled and are making a change to the Aetna 90/70 Buy-up Option, you will not be able to pay during the enrollment process. You will receive an invoice via email to allow you to make your payment online.

Medical Plans Comparison

The basic copay/coinsurance differences between the two plans are illustrated below:

  80/60 Base PPO Plan 90/70 Buy-Up Option PPO Plan
Physician Copay $25 $20
RX Generic $10 $15
RX Brand $20 $35
Emergency Room $100 + 20% $150 +10%
Co-insurance 20% In-Network 40% Out-of-Network 10% In-Network 30% Out-of-Network
Individual Deductible $500 $250
Family Deductible $1000 $500

Provider Directory Information

Please click on Provider Directory Info to access detailed instructions on locating a physician, facility or specialist in the Aetna DocFind directory.

Urgent Care Facilities

Visiting an urgent care facility as opposed to the emergency room can save you time and money if it is applicable to the health situation that you or your dependent is experiencing. Emergency rooms are for life-threatening situations, as chest pain and excessive bleeding. Urgent care provides treatment for situations like the flu, asthma attacks, broken bones, cuts requiring stitches and more. Please click on Urgent Care Facilities for a list of the centers in the Nashville area.

Mail Order Prescriptions

You can order maintenance medications through Aetna’s Rx Home Delivery for chronic conditions as asthma, arthritis, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart conditions and usually save one copay. Please click on Aetna Rx Home Delivery/Order Form for more information, as well as directions on how to order your prescriptions.

Summary Plan Descriptions

The Summary Plan Descriptions are comprehensive documents that provide details about your plan benefits and coverage. They describe how to get medical care, what health services are covered and not covered, and what portion of the health care costs you will be required to pay. Please read these documents carefully and refer to them whenever you require medical services.

Aetna Wellness Programs

Aetna offers a broad scope of wellness programs that can assist you and your family maintain your good health or learn how to achieve better health. Please click on Aetna Wellness Programs to learn of those that may be of interest to you.

We thank you for the opportunity to be of service to you and your family.

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Program and benefit information contained on this site has been deemed reliable, but can change without notice.

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