Health & Dental Benefits

The College offers two options for health insurance through contracts with Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. Eligible employees may choose a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or a Point of Service (POS). In California eligible employees may choose a HMO or PPO coverage through HealthNet.

Dental insurance is provided through Delta Dental of Massachusetts.

The cost of the insurance is shared between the College and the employee, based on employment classification.

Enrollment

Enrollment in these insurance plans is not automatic. Eligible employees may enroll on the first of the month after their date of hire or during the annual Open Enrollment period with an effective date of January 1. New hire employees have until the last day of the month of their initial eligibility period to enroll. 

To enroll at any other time during the year, an eligible employee must have a “change in family status” as defined by the IRS, must notify the Office of Human Resources within 30 calendar days of the change, and must provide appropriate documentation.

Loss of Medicaid/CHIP Eligibility

If an employee loses Medicaid or CHIP eligibility, or the eligibility for state assistance, he or she may enroll himself/herself and any eligible dependents in medical coverage under one of the College's approved plans. He or she must enroll no more than 60 days after the Medicaid or CHIP coverage or the state assistance terminates.

Health Insurance Responsibility Disclosure (HIRD)

If you decline to participate in Emerson's health insurance program, you must fill out one of two HIRD forms:

• HIRD Form - Eligible for Group Insurance
• HIRD Form - Not Eligible for Group Insurance

Termination/COBRA

If an employee terminates his/her employment with the College, medical and dental coverage ends on the last day of the month in which he/she separates from service. View our information on continuing health/dental benefits under COBRA (which will also be mailed to a terminating employee's home address).