Information about Benefits
University of Arizona Employed Postdocs
Benefit Options on the HR website
Qualified Tuition Reduction Program
For questions about benefits, contact HR Solutions at (520)-621-3360 or hrsolutions@arizona.edu.
Postdocs on Training Grants or Fellowships
Training grant or fellowship recipients and internationally funded scholars may not be benefits eligible because they may not be employed by the University of Arizona. For information about your status or health insurance options, contact postdoc@arizona.edu.
Health Insurance
Several options may be available. Explore the possibilities below.
Dependent coverage is not available, but if you are not insuring any family members, you could consider this option. You must elect coverage within 30 days of your appointment date, so please advise your business manager to submit a transaction to give you DCC status promptly. Your coverage is effective from the first to the last day of your appointment. The annual premium is $2,765.
- 91 healthcare plans are available through Ambetter, BannerAetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Bright HealthCare, and UnitedHealthcare.
- Subsidies may be available depending on your income level.
- 25 stand-alone dental plans are available, ranging from $10.60 to $55.08 per month, or you can choose a medical plan that includes dental coverage.
- If you are established with a medical provider or dentist, you can enter their names to filter on plans those providers participate in.
- Some high-deductible medical plans are paired with a health savings account that allows you to set aside pretax money to pay for medical expenses.
- Read 3 things to know before you select a health insurance plan on the Marketplace: https://www.healthcare.gov/choose-a-plan/comparing-plans/
Below are examples of Marketplace coverage costs using sample scenarios. The metal categories are based on how much of your costs are covered, not on quality of care. It is important to visit www.healthcare.gov for the actual costs based on your individual situation.
Example 1
Single male, age 30, income $55,000. Expected monthly premiums do not include an income-based subsidy.
Category | No. of Plans | Average Premium | Average Deductible | Average OOP* Maximum |
Bronze | 27 | $301 | $7,031 | $8,901 |
Silver | 34 | $361 | $4,570 | $8,520 |
Gold | 30 | $460 | $1,409 | $7,135 |
Example 2
Married couple, ages 30, income $55,000, 2 children (ages 3 & 5). Expected monthly premiums include an estimated income-based subsidy of $601/month.
Category | No. of Plans | Average Premium | Average Deductible | Average OOP Maximum |
Bronze | 27 | $17 | $14,062 | $17,803 |
Silver | 34 | $122 | $1,626 | $5,680 |
Gold | 30 | $319 | $2,791 | $14,600 |
There may be other insurance plans available to you outside of the Health Insurance Marketplace. You can find these plans through some insurance companies, agents, brokers, and online insurance sellers. You can also visit the Plan Finder website at https://finder.healthcare.gov/. This federal government website can help you find private health plans available outside the Health Insurance Marketplace. Premium subsidies are not available on these plans.
If you were enrolled in health insurance with the University of Arizona (or another employer) and then lost coverage, you are eligible to continue that coverage for a limited time (usually up to 18 months) through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). Coverage is the same as when you were an active employee, but you will need to pay the entire premium (employee plus employer amounts).
You will receive notification about COBRA within 2 weeks of losing coverage. You have 60 days to elect COBRA once your notification is received.