Benefits

Eligibility for benefits is based on hours scheduled to work in the college's fiscal year (July 1–June 30).

Medical

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) adminsters Hope College's self-insured preferred provider organization (PPO) health insurance plan. BCBSM provides a network of local, national and international providers. Currently 100% of Michigan hospitals and approximately 95% of providers in the West Michigan area participate in the BCBSM network. This access provides our employees with great options for their health care needs.

provider Information

BCBSM
1.877.671.2583

Lost or need to replace your BCBSM ID card? Access your member site to request a new one.

Need to find a form for Blues (Coordination of Benefits, Reimbursement for Out-of-Pocket Medical, etc.), simply log into your www.bcbsm.com member account. 

 view 2024–25 medical plans at a glance  &  employee premiums Resources

• Sword (digital physical therapy program)
  • Watch a video about Sword
  • Schedule a call with a physical therapist and get started with Sword
• Bloom (digital physical therapy program for women)
  • Learn more and enroll in Bloom
• Your Choices for Care
  
• BCBSM Virtual Care Benefit (what services are available, how to use, etc.) 
• Free 24/7 Nurse Line 
  
• Spouse Eligibility Requirements Form
• Member Handbook
  
• Understanding EOB's
  
• In-Network Provider Search (when prompted, select PPO Plan as "your network" if prompted) or call 1.877.671.2583 (in Michigan) or 1.800-810.2583 (outside of Michigan) 
  
• International Coverage with Global Core (formerly know as BlueCard)
• International Coverage and Claim Form (select info for PPO Plans)
• Medical Cost Comparison Tool (access member site and select your choices for care – compare cost & quality)
• BCBSM Cost Estimate FAQs (frequently asked questions)
• Blue Cross Rewards Program and Intro Video
• Automobile Exclusion Notice Letter to Auto Agent

REQUIRED FEDERAL POSTINGS SPECIFIC TO MEDICAL PLAN

• BCBSM Machine Readable File (Transparency in Coverage required posting)  To view ~ right click link ~ select copy ~ paste in separate tab on your computer's browser.
• Notice of Health Coverage Options (ACA required posting)

 

Prescription Drugs/Rx

CVS/Caremark administers Hope College's self-insured pharmacy benefit and provides both a retail pharmacy network and mail-order option for member's prescription drug needs. Employees and their family's coverage is automatic with their Medical Plan election (Blue or Orange) and coverage is dependent on that plan's design.

provider Information

CVS/Caremark
1.888.321.4206
Lost or need to replace your CVS/Caremark ID? Access your member site through CVS/Caremark link above to print a replacement.

PrudentRx Co-Pay Program for Specialty Drugs
1.800.578.4403
Monday - Friday, 8a-8p, ET
Optional $0 copay program for employee assistance with specialty drugs expense.

VIEW 2024–25 prescription drug plans at a glance & Employee premiums 

resources

• Shopping Resources for Short Term Prescription/Rx (Good Rx & New Benefits Rx)
• COVID-19 Test Kit Reimbursement Claim Form
• Drug List
• Retail Pharmacy Search
• Caremark's No Cost Preventative List of Drugs

Dental

Blue Dental (division of BCBSM) provides Hope College's dental insurance plan. Blue Dental provides a network of local and national providers. West Michigan has approximately 75 in-network providers.

provider information

BCBSM
1.877.671.2583

Lost or need to replace your Blue Dental ID? Access your member site to request a new one.

VIEW 2024–25 DENTAL PLANS AT A GLANCE & Employee premiums 

resources

• Understanding EOB's
  
• In-Network Provider Search or 1.888.826.8152 (when prompted, select Blue Dental PPO as "your network")
  
• Non-Participating Providers Blue Dental Claim Form
  

 

Vision

EyeMed provides Hope College's vision insurance plan. EyeMed provides a network of local and national providers. West Michigan has approximately 50 providers in network.

provider information

EyeMed
1.866.939.3633

Lost or need to replace your EyeMed ID? Access your member site to print a replacement.

resources

• In-Network Provider Search (use Insight Network in search)
  
• Out-of-Network Claim Form
  

plan at a glance

summary of benefits and coverage	Vision BAAG
employee premiums (per pay 2x/mth)	Single: $4.98 Double: $9.45 Family: $13.88

Flexible Spending and Health Savings

provider information

PNC BeneFit Plus
1.844.356.9993

Lost or need to replace your PNC Debit Card? Contact PNC Bank @ 1.844.356.9993 for assistance.

Resources and forms

• Child/Dependent Care Eligible Expense Guidelines
• Health Savings Contribution Form
• PNC Reimbursement Request Form
• Assistance for "When Receipts Are Needed"

child / dependent care

Flexible Spending Child/Dependent Care accounts are avenues to set aside pre-tax money for out-of-pocket dependent care expenses. Eligibility for Child/Dependent Care FSA is not dependent on your health insurance election.

medical plans

Flexible Spending Medical and Health Savings accounts are avenues to set aside pre-tax money for out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision and other health related expenses. Limited Purpose Flexible accounts are available for ONLY out-of-pocket dental and vision expenses of HSA participants.  Eligibility for Medical FSA and HSA/LPFSA accounts are dependent on your health insurance election. 

medical tax savings plan comparison

	FSA	HSA	LPFSA
Eligibility	Must be enrolled in traditional health plan (college's Blue or similar plan)	Must be enrolled in a high deductible health plan (college's Orange Plan only)	Must be enrolled in HSA
normal Provisions	Use-it-or-lose-it with $610 carryover (2024) and $640 (2025) only	Roll-over annually, no use-it-or-lose-it rule	Use-it-or-lose it with $610 carryover (2024) and $640 (2025) only
Maximums	$3,200 (per benefit year)	Single: $4,150* (per calendar year) Double/Family: $8,300* (per calendar year) *if aged 55+, an additional contribution of $1,000 is allowed.	$3,200 (per benefit year)
medical plan Eligible Expenses	FSA Eligible Expense List	HSA Eligible Expense List	Dental & Vision Expenses Only
Reimbursement process & to Monitor/check balance	PNC BeneFit Plus Website
Option to Change Amount during Benefit Year	Not applicable unless eligible for Special Enrollment (see Benefit Changes section)	HSA Contribution Form	Not applicable unless eligible for Special Enrollment (see Benefit Changes section)

Dependant Verification

Letter on this important initiative from HR Director Sara Dorer.

Hope College’s Comprehensive Dependent Verification Process will take place August 1–October 31, 2024. Any dependents who have not been verified by October 31 will lose coverage as of November 1, 2024.  

Provider Information
Alight Verification Center Customer Care
1.866.271.8638 
For email inquires use the Secure Email Option found on the "Contact Us" link (bottom of portal page)

NOTE:  All email correspondence will be sent directly from vendor with email dependentverification@alight.com (however, this is a no-reply email)

Resources

• Colleague Tips for Completing Verification Process
• Verification Documentation Requirements
• FAQs

Financial

Retirement

Hope College provides a retirement plan called "INVEST" to all eligible (scheduled to work 1,000+ hours annually) employees after one year of employment. The college contributes, on a per-pay basis, an amount equal to 10.5% of an employee's base salary. Employees may also contribute, either pre-tax or post-tax (ROTH), on a voluntary basis. Vesting (ownership) is 100% upon participation. Participants may direct the College contribution into a variety of investment alternatives.

provider information

Transamerica (best viewed in Internet Explorer)
1.888.676.5512

TIAA-Cref (legacy provider prior to October 1, 2013)
1.800.842.2776

resources

• Enrollment Kit
  
• Manage Voluntary Contributions (access your account & select details > manage > contributions)
• Asset Consolidation Group (Transamerica information and contact for incoming direct rollovers for employees)
• Getting Ready to Retire (Transamerica is here to help)
• Managed Advice Program (an add-on option for your INVEST Retirement Plan Investment Advice)
• Do you have a personal financial plan in place?  (our 403b plan investment advisor IBS Financial can help.)
• On Campus Individual Consultations with Transamerica Reps (held each semester)
  Next Date: TBD March 2025 (link to be activated when dates are finalized)
  
• On Demand Phone or Video Consultation with Chris Clinton, Transamerica Customer Care Rep (ongoing opportunity to 1x1 meeting to discuss retirement accounts)

PLAN DOCUMENTS & ANNUAL REQUIRED NOTICES

• INVEST Plan Summary Plan Document
  • 20220201 Amendment
• INVEST Plan SAR Notice (Can be accessed through individual's participant Transamerica portal.  Select edocs ~ plan document ~ plan related notifications to view.)

Life Insurance

Hope College provides term life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance coverage for our employees, at no cost to the employee, equal to one-and-one-half times annual salary. The benefit amount is reduced at age 65 and again at age 70 if still actively employed. Employees may also purchase additional Voluntary Life Insurance, at group rates, post tax, via payroll deduction.

SunLife Group Policy #952772

Employer-Paid Term Life and AD&D Insurance

• FT Faculty, Administrative and Hourly Staff Benefits At A Glance
  
• FT Faculty, Administrative and Hourly Staff Life Insurance Certificate of Coverage
• FT Faculty, Administrative and Hourly Staff AD&D Certificate of Coverage

Employee-Paid Voluntary Term Life Insurance

• Voluntary Life Insurance Benefits At A Glance
• Voluntary Life and LTD Enrollment EOI Electronic Form or Paper Form
• Voluntary Certificate of Coverage
  

PROVIDER INFORMATION

SunLife Insurance

1.800.247.6875

www.sunlife

RESOURCES

• Life Insurance Beneficiary Form (submit completed form directly to Human Resources)
  
• Travel Connect Brochure with ID & Program Description (provides a wealth of travel-, medical- and safety-related services you can access while traveling)

Tuition Waiver

Tuition Waiver benefits are available for full-time employees, their spouses and children. Eligible programs include on-campus courses as well as several off-campus programs. Additionally, Hope College participates with a tuition remission program within the Great Lakes College Association and a tuition exchange program within the Council of Independent Colleges.

RESOURCES

• Tuition Waiver Policy
• Tuition Waiver Application Form
  
• GLCA Application Form
  
• CIC-TEP Application Form

PLAN AT A GLANCE

	STAFF (hourly & Administrative)	faculty
employee taking classes on campus (One course per semester maximum)	100% waiver (after one-year employment)	100% waiver (immediate eligibility)
employee taking classes via Tuition exchange program with the council of independent colleges (CIC) (supervisor approval required)	100% waiver (after one-year employment)	100% waiver (immediate eligibility)
employee's spouse and Children (natural and adopted children until the age of 30 and dependent stepchildren until the age of 25) up to 10 semesters max.	10% waiver for each year of employee's service up to maximum of 100%, less financial aid, of courses taken on Hope College campus. Once 100% waiver earned, eligible for Tuition Exchange Program with The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and/or  the waiver remission program for dependents at schools within Great Lakes College Association (glca.org) (up to eight semesters maximum).	100% waiver, less financial aid, of courses taken on Hope College campus. Immediate eligibility for Tuition Exchange Program with The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and/or  the waiver remission program for dependents at schools within Great Lakes College Association (glca.org) (up to eight semesters maximum).

Paid Benefit/Leave Time

Holidays & Campus Shut Down

NOTE: Employees working shifts other than M–F should contact their supervisor for revised holiday calendars.

2024

Floating Holiday	Employee selects, no carryover allowed
New Year's Day	Monday, January 1
Good Friday	Friday, March 29
Memorial Day	Monday, May 27
Independence Day	Thursday, July 4
bonus holiday	Friday, July 5
Thanksgiving	Thursday–Friday, November 28–29
Christmas Eve	Tuesday, December 24
Christmas	Wednesday, December 25
Campus Shut-Down	December 23, 26-31

 2025

Floating Holiday	Employee selects, no carryover allowed
New Year's Day	Wednesday, January 1
Good Friday	Friday, April 18
Memorial Day	Monday, May 26
Independence Day	Friday, July 4
bonus holiday	Wednesday, November 26
Thanksgiving	Thursday–Friday, November 27–28
Christmas Eve	Wednesday, December 24
Christmas	Thursday, December 25
Campus Shut-Down	December 26, 29-31

Policies per employment status:

• Hourly Staff
• Administrative Staff
• Faculty (not applicable, eligible for college calendar-recognized holidays and breaks)
  

Summer Hours

• Summer Hours information

Vacation

• Hourly Staff
• Administrative Staff
• Faculty and academic-year-only staff (not applicable; eligible for college calendar-recognized breaks)

Jury Leave

• Hourly Staff
• Administrative Staff

Funeral/Bereavement Leave

• Hourly Staff
• Administrative Staff

Sick Pay, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Hope College provides financial assistance for absences due to illness, hospitalization, surgery or other medical condition. The benefit is composed of three components: Sick, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability.

PROVIDER INFORMATION

Hope College Human Resources Office (self-administration of sick and short-term disability)
1.616.395.7818

Sunlife Insurance (long-term disability provider effective July 1, 2022)

PLAN AT A GLANCE

	Hourly	Faculty and Administrative staff
Sick pay	Earned on an accrual basis at the rate of 40 hours per year. Balance reflected in Leave Balance on plus.hope.edu employee secure log-in. (policy)	Regular pay for work missed due to illness. (policy)
Short-Term Disability (for surgeries and illnesses requiring >3 days absence as well as maternity leave)  FMLA applies	60% of normal rate of pay for medically necessary leave, up to 26 weeks. (policy)	100% wage continuation for medically necessary leaves, up to 26 weeks. (policy)
Long-term disability (available after six months continuous disability)	60% of base monthly earnings (up to $6,000 max). (policy)	60% of base monthly earnings (up to $6,000 max). (policy)
long-term disability buy-up (additional employee cost)	An additional 10% LTD coverage, for total of 70% (up to $7,500 max.), may be purchased.	An additional 10% LTD coverage, for total of 70% (up to $7,500 max.), may be purchased.
Summary of benefits & buy-up cost formulas	Core and Buy-Up FT Faculty & Administrative (Classification  1 & 2) and Hourly (Classification 3 & 4)
Certificates	Core with Buy-Up FT Faculty & Administrative (Classification 1 & 2) and Hourly (Classification 3 &4)

Non-Medical FMLA, Other Unpaid Leaves, and Parental Leave

• Non-Medical FMLA
• Other Unpaid Leaves
• Parental Leave Policy
  • Hourly Staff
  • Administrative Staff
  • Faculty

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

Wellness

Hope College Wellness seeks to inspire, educate and promote healthy living for the faculty and staff in our community. We desire to create a culture that has an excellent quality of life by addressing the whole person — body, mind and spirit. For more details and current classes and education opportunities:

Visit our wellness website 

On Campus & Community Offers for Employees

Human Resources receives special discount information and opportunities for our employees. While we do not endorse any particular off-campus company, we want to share the potential discounts and group rates available to you. You will be required to show a valid Hope College Faculty/Staff ID.

On-Campus

• 30% off apparel and 15% office supplies at Bookstore
• Discounted meals $5 for breakfast, $7 for lunch and $7 for dinner. A $0.50 per meal discount will be applied when paying with Dining Dollars. Employees can add Dining Dollars to their account at any time for no charge!
• DeWitt Tennis Center and/or Dow Center use
• Free athletic admission
• Theater discounts
• Personal computer repair
• Mail services
• Van Wylen Library privileges

 Vision & Hearing

• Comprehensive Ear & Hearing
• RX Optical (web access)
• RX Optical (pdf version)

Banking Institutions

• Old National Mortgage (faculty)
• ONB Partnership Program (for faculty and staff)
• United Federal Credit Union
• PNC Bank
• Fifth Third Bank

Health & Wellness

• Ideal Bodywork Massage LLC - $5 off one hour massage with Hope ID
• Pure Barre Holland — 10% off membership of your choice:
  1) Pure Lifestyle — $140/month (unlimited access to classes; cancel anytime with no fee), or 
  2) Pace Yourself (4 Pack/Month) — $70/month (4 classes per month, classes do not carry over, cancel anytime with no fee).
  
• MVP Fitness Center
  
• Orangetheory (visit website for current classes)
• Velo City Cycles

Entertainment

• Working Advantage (discount program for hotel, car, entertainment, etc. offered through Ulliance EAP provider) NOTE: Using this link will connect this program directly through Ulliance, simply register by using your Hope email address.
  

 Miscellaneous

• T-Mobile
• Corrigan Moving & Relocation Services
• Car Rental Discounts
• Home2 Suites by Hilton Holland (use discount code 0560074494)
  

Adoption Reimbursement Benefit

In order to assist families with the cost of adoption, Hope College will provide reimbursement for adoption expenses up to the actual cost or current benefit amount.

resources

• Adoption Benefit Plan
• Adoption Benefit Reimbursement Request Form

 

Walk to Work

Resources

• Program Details and Targeted Area Map
• Declaration of Interest Application

Employee Assistance Program

The Ulliance Life Advisor EAP^® is an employer sponsored benefit for employees that offers total well-being services to employees, spouse/live-in partner and dependents through the age of 26 at no cost to the employee and is 100% confidential.  Services include counseling, coaching, crisis intervention, resources and more.  To access your benefit or to learn more, contact your Life Advisor Consultant at 1.800.448.8326 or visit LifeAdvisorEAP.com.    

Provider:

• Ulliance Life Advisor EAP^®
• 1.800.448.8326

Resources:

• Introduction to Your EAP Benefit Video
• Employee Assistance Program Overview
• LifeAdvisorEAP Website (Company Name: Hope College; Password: Holland)
• Identity Theft Credit Monitoring