Temporary Employees: Medical

Important Health Plan Information Update

As a reminder, as of July 1, 2026, the University's pharmacy administrator transitioned to CVS Caremark. With this change, it is important that you start using your new UPMC medical ID card for all prescriptions and medical services. Your new ID card includes your prescription plan information on the back, so no separate ID is needed.

The new medical ID cards for you and any covered dependents were recently mailed from UPMC Health Plan to the home address that you have on file with the University. 

Please also note that as of July 1, 2026, our medical plan names have been updated to indicate the plan type. This is simply a name change, with no changes to plan designs or your current coverage. This update was communicated during open enrollment.

NOTE that your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum will reset for the new plan year starting July 1, 2026.

Medical questions: UPMC Member Services at 888-499-6885.
Pharmacy questions: CVS Caremark at 833-296-1891.

This information presented on this page is specific to temporary employees.

Temporary employees who work 30 hours a week or more are eligible to enroll in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA). This plan includes Prescription Drug Program coverage. 

Medical Plan Rates & Descriptions

Download the past year’s plan details and rates (PDF) (July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026). You are only eligible to enroll in the Panther HDHP plan option.

Download the current year’s plan details and rates (PDF) (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027). You are only eligible to enroll in the Panther HDHP plan option.

Administered by UPMC, the Panther Basic Qualified High Deductible Health Plan (QHDHP) plan offers a broad network of providers across the United States with access to the Cigna Extended Network. The Panther Basic plan does not require the selection of a Primary Care Physician (PCP).

When you use health care providers who are in-network:

  • Preventative care services are covered at 100%.
  • In-network deductible will apply for non-preventative services.

Please review the Schedule of Benefits (SOB) below to view the member out-of-pocket costs for services.

When you use health care providers who are out-of-network:

  • All services, including preventative care, will be subject to coinsurance.
  • Out-of-network deductible applies to all services.

Please review the Schedule of Benefits (SOB) below to view the member out-of-pocket costs for services.

Panther Basic with HSA Option meets the requirements of a Qualified High Deductible Health Plan (QHDHP). This plan allows participants the option to open a Health Savings Account (HSA) (PDF). Learn more about HSAs in the “Health Expense and Savings Account” section of UPMC's FAQ.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Employees in the Panther Basic PPO plan can newly enroll, waive, or make changes to their HSA elections at any time throughout the year by submitting the HSA Election/Change/Termination Form via DocuSign. The change will be effective the first of the month following the submission of the form (for example, a form submitted on Oct. 31 will be effective on Nov. 1).

The maximum contribution for an eligible individual with self-only coverage is $4,300. The maximum contribution for an eligible individual with family coverage is $8,550.

HSA holders age 55 and older can save an extra $1,000, which means $5,300 for an individual and $9,550 for a family. These contributions are tax-deductible.

Under the Last Month Rule, if you are an eligible individual on the first day of the last month of the taxable year (December for most taxpayers), you are considered an eligible individual for the entire year. As such, you can make a full HSA contribution (plus a catch-up contribution if you will be age 55 or older by year's end).^ You must remain an eligible individual during a "testing period," which for most taxpayers would run from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31 of the following year.

 Contribution Limit55+ Contribution
Single$4,150+$1,000 
Family $8,300+1,000

Catch-up contributions are allowed for people older than 55 ($1,000). Catch-up contributions can be made at any time during the year in which the HSA participant turns 55.

For more detailed information on HSAs and taxes, visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury website or talk with your tax advisor.

Please note: you cannot participate in/contribute to the HSA through the Panther Basic plan if you or your spouse/domestic partner are age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare.

Schedule of Benefits (PDF) | Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) (PDF) | SBC for MHSF (PDF) | Certificate of Coverage (COC) (PDF) | COC for MHSF (PDF)

Accordion Container: Group 3 UPMC & Wellness Resources, Find a UPMC Physician o

UPMC & Wellness Resources

Searching for a new doctor or facility or want to know if your current doctor takes a certain medical plan? Learn how to find a UPMC physician or facility.

If you need access to a temporary medical card, you can view or print one online. Learn how to obtain a temporary medical card (PDF). You can also access your medical card from the UPMC Health Plan mobile app.

Faculty and staff can participate in the Wellness Incentives program by earning reward dollars for every healthy activity you complete. Get more information about the Wellness Incentive program and how you can earn rewards for your healthy activities.

Employees with UPMC Health Plan coverage can take advantage of the hearing aid benefit (PDF) through Amplifon. Visit Amplifon's website to learn more. For questions about the benefit through Amplifon, please contact Amplifon directly by calling 1-866-978-9379. Amplifon's hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.

If you are a UPMC Health Plan member currently in Pennsylvania, you and your family can take advantage of virtual visits through UPMC. These visits are available 24/7 at a low cost for faculty, staff, covered spouses and domestic partners with UPMC Health Plan coverage, and can help treat a number of symptoms and illnesses. Learn more about UPMC Virtual Urgent Care.

Accordion Container: Group 3: Coverage & Additional Documentation, Certificate o

Coverage & Additional Documentation

The Affordable Care Act includes an individual mandate that requires most Americans to obtain and maintain health insurance each month or pay a tax penalty. The penalty for not having coverage will be paid on your Federal Income Tax Returns for each full month you, or a family member, does not have health insurance.

The Affordable Care Act requires employers to send Form 1095-C to certain employees. This form contains detailed information about your health care coverage. The IRS will use the information reported on your 1095-C to determine whether you will pay a penalty for failing to have health care coverage as required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. If you received an Advance Premium Tax Credit, the information on the form will also help the IRS determine if you should repay any of the tax credit or receive an additional credit.

Understanding Form 1095-C 

Find more information about the Form 1095-C.

The UPMC medical benefit plans cover all eligible members for the diagnostic assessment and treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Please refer to the Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate of Coverage (PDF) to review the covered services, definitions, and procedures.

Coverage for Eligible Dependent Children

Under the University of Pittsburgh insurance plans, children, up to the age of 26, are eligible for medical, dental, and vision coverage under their parent's insurance, provided they meet the requirements under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

In the state of Pennsylvania, children (up to age 21) with significant, permanent, or longstanding hearing loss are provided with bilateral hearing aids through the Medical Assistance (MA) state program regardless of income. Providers bill the primary insurance first and whatever is not paid is then billed to the MA program. Medicaid pays in a bundled fashion (device + services); hearing aid companies all have “Medicaid” pricing (significantly reduced compared to typical pricing) that is offered if the provider indicates that they are providing hearing aids to an individual receiving Medicaid. This program ends when the young person turns 21 and then most of these individuals will not have insurance coverage to continue their hearing health care other than for hearing testing. With questions or for more information, please contact:

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC
Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
(412) 692-5580
Hearing Aids Webpage

UPMC Health Plan members who are interested in learning more about transgender coverage can call UPMC Member Services at 1-844-202-0126 or the phone number on the back of their insurance card.

This information is only applicable to employees or spouses/domestic partners enrolled in a PPO plan and living outside of the UPMC service area, or any member traveling outside the UPMC service area in need of Urgent Care.

UPMC Health Plan provides access to an extended network of providers, urgent and emergency care, and telehealth options. Learn more about the extended network and how to access providers (PDF).

To find a provider: 

  1. Go to the UPMC Health Plan website and select "Find Care."
  2. Enter the member ID number to find participating providers specific to the member's plan and then select the "Find my plan" button.
    1. If the member does not have their ID number, they choose the "I'm Just Browsing" tab.
  3. In the "I'm Just Browsing" tab, choose "Medical" or "Behavioral Health" and "My employer provides my health insurance" from the appropriate drop-down menus.
  4. The member can search for a specific provider or practice name by choosing the "By their name" option or search by specialty.
  5. Enter the zip code for the area, choose the mile radius, and select the "Search" button.
  6. When searching for a zip code outside of the service area, a statement will display that states "The location you entered is outside UPMC Health Plan's service." Select the message that states "Find care outside UPMC Health Plan's service area."
  7. The box will expand and display additional search options. Select the link that best matches your needs.

For assistance with finding a provider or facility in the Extended Network, please contact UPMC Member Services by calling 1-888-499-6885.

To find a pharmacy:

  1. Go to the UPMC Health Plan website and select "Find Care."
  2. If you are a member, select "I’m a Member" and enter your ID number. For members that do not have their ID number, select the "I'm Just Browsing" tab.
  3. Select the kind of care you need (medical, behavioral health, dental, vision, home- and community-based services, or pharmacy). Select "pharmacy."
  4. Select "My employer provides my health insurance" from the "How do you get your health insurance" dropdown menu.
    1. Members will not have this message displayed if they entered their UPMC member ID at the start of the search.
  5. The member can search by pharmacy name or pharmacy type. Enter the place, address, city, or zip code where you want to receive services. Select the distance, and then select Search.

It's important for your dependents (up to age 26) to have access to the care they need and where they need it. UPMC Health Plan provides access to an extended network of providers, urgent and emergency care, and telehealth options. Learn more about the extended network and how to access providers (PDF).

Enrolled dependent children and adult dependents up to age 26 that live or attend school outside of Western Pennsylvania have full access to all UPMC-owned providers, the community-based doctors and hospitals in UPMC's Premium Network, and a national extended network. This national network is composed of the Cigna PPO Network for members who are outside of the UPMC Health Plan service area and not in Ohio, and the SuperMed PPO Network for members in Ohio. The Cigna PPO Network has more than one million health care providers and 6,100 hospitals.

To find a provider: 

  1. Go to the UPMC Health Plan website and select "Find Care."
  2. Enter the member ID number to find participating providers specific to the member's plan and then select the "Find my plan" button.
    1. If the member does not have their ID number, they choose the "I'm Just Browsing" tab.
  3. In the "I'm Just Browsing" tab, choose "Medical" or "Behavioral Health" and "My employer provides my health insurance" from the appropriate drop-down menus.
  4. The member can search for a specific provider or practice name by choosing the "By their name" option or search by specialty.
  5. Enter the zip code for the area, choose the mile radius, and select the "Search" button.
  6. When searching for a zip code outside of the service area, a statement will display that states "The location you entered is outside UPMC Health Plan's service." Select the message that states "Find care outside UPMC Health Plan's service area."
  7. The box will expand and display additional search options. Select the link that best matches your needs.

For assistance with finding a provider or facility in the Extended Network, please contact UPMC Member Services by calling 1-888-499-6885.

To find a pharmacy:

  1. Go to the UPMC Health Plan website and select "Find Care."
  2. If you are a member, select "I’m a Member" and enter your ID number. For members that do not have their ID number, select the "I'm Just Browsing" tab.
  3. Select the kind of care you need (medical, behavioral health, dental, vision, home- and community-based services, or pharmacy). Select "pharmacy."
  4. Select "My employer provides my health insurance" from the "How do you get your health insurance" dropdown menu.
    1. Members will not have this message displayed if they entered their UPMC member ID at the start of the search.
  5. The member can search by pharmacy name or pharmacy type. Enter the place, address, city, or zip code where you want to receive services. Select the distance, and then select Search.

Dependent college students are also covered for urgent and emergent care obtained on or near their campus locations (i.e. Student Health Clinic), even if the provider is not participating with one of these networks.

Employees traveling on an academic or work-related assignment can utilize a travel and security assistance protection plan through International SOS. Learn about this travel coverage and find other resources if you're traveling on the Coverage While Traveling page.

Additional Body Text: Group 3: Note: Benefits premiums for health and welfare cov

Note: Benefits premiums for health and welfare coverage are deducted from the employee’s paycheck. These deductions can occur on a pre-tax or after-tax basis depending on the election and employee’s job category. Review the Benefits Premium Collections page for more information about premium collections and the taxation of certain benefits.

Please visit the Glossary of Terms page for commonly used medical terms and definitions.