Everyone 5 years and older is now eligible to receive the COVID-19 Vaccination at no cost. Visit VaccineFinder for the latest information on vaccine availability and information on how to schedule an appointment. VaccineFinder is a free, online service that works in partnership with clinics, pharmacies, and health departments to provide accurate and up-to-date information about vaccination services and appointments.

In addition, individuals enrolled in a Princeton health plan have access to Castlight. Castlight’s Vaccine Center is a new feature within the app that answers questions about vaccine safety, its effectiveness, and allows individuals to find the most up-to-date information on where vaccines are available in their community. Register for Castlight or download the Castlight app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Faculty and staff who are diagnosed with COVID-19 can apply for short term disability benefits if:

• Symptoms are not resolving (fever within 24 hours or other persistent symptoms such as chills, cough, shortness of breath, etc.) AND
• A doctor certifies that the employee is unable to perform their job for 8 consecutive days or longer.

The University arranged for the following interim changes for employees enrolled in a Princeton medical plan. 

• Diagnostic testing and any provider visits associated with COVID-19 testing are covered at 100%.

Both Aetna and UnitedHealthcare have teams of experts monitoring COVID-19 to support members’ needs. For information and resources, go to their websites or call Aetna (800) 535-6689 or UnitedHealthcare at (877) 609-2273.

UnitedHealthcare has an Emotional Support Help Line, available to anyone who may be experiencing anxiety or stress. Call (866) 342-6892, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Aetna has a crises response line for members at (833) 327-2386.

Recent federal regulatory guidance requires health plans to provide coverage for over-the-counter (OTC) at-home COVID-19 tests.

Princeton is providing this coverage to medical plan members through the prescription plan, OptumRx. Employees and their covered dependents are eligible for coverage of up to eight at-home COVID-19 test per month per covered member. Note, if purchasing a kit with two tests, members may receive up to four kits per month per member.

What types of tests are covered?

FDA authorized or approved OTC at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests are covered without a doctor’s prescription. The tests must be used to diagnose COVID-19 infection, and may not be purchased to be used for employment, school, or recreational purposes.

Where can I get a test kit ?

• OptumRx is building a Preferred COVID-19 Test Kit Network, which currently includes Kinney Drugs, Rite Aid, Sam’s Club, Walgreens, and Walmart. Members can visit OptumRx’s test information website to view the most up-to-date list of preferred network retailers. To purchase a test kit from a preferred retailer, members will need to present their OptumRx ID card at the pharmacy counter to receive the test at $0.
• Test kits can also be ordered online at the Optum Store at $0 (shipping fees may apply). To access this benefit, members will:
  • Sign in through the OptumRx website.
  • Select the Optum Store link.
  • Click Order Now.
  • The system will generate a token to purchase the test kits. Members can order up to 4 boxes (8 tests).
  • At checkout, members have the option to checkout as a guest or to create an Optum Store account.
• At-home COVID-19 tests may be purchased at any store or at an online retailer outside of the preferred network, and OptumRx will reimburse up to $12 per test or the cost of the test if less. Members that purchase a kit with two tests will be reimbursed up to $24. Members will need to submit their receipt to OptumRx for reimbursement online or via a mail-in form.
• OptumRx will reimburse for all tests purchased on or after January 15, 2022.

To learn more about the current preferred retailer network, which tests are covered, and how to submit a claim form, visit the OptumRx test information website.

Keep in mind that the Omicron variant has created an overwhelming demand for OTC COVID-19 test kits, so supplies may be limited. To help address this the Biden-Harris Administration is expanding access to free, at-home kits through the federal government. Go to Free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests to receive up to 4 free tests per household.

For questions or assistance, reach out to the Benefits Team at (609) 258-3302 or benefits@princeton.edu.

Teladoc’s general medical services are a convenient low-cost option that provides individuals the ability to speak with a U.S. board-certified doctor by phone, video, or app at any time without appointment, 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Individuals enrolled in the Princeton Health Plan (PHP) or Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plan have no copays for using Teladoc for general medicine.

Individuals enrolled in the CDHP and J-1 Visa Plan will pay approximately $49 per visit for visits incurred from January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022, until the deductible is met. After the deductible is met, visits are covered at 100%. Visits incurred from April 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 will be covered at 100% and are not subject to the deductible.

Teladoc also provides mental health and dermatology services for employees and their dependents enrolled in a Princeton medical plan. Mental health visits are covered at the same cost as in-network in-person primary care physician visits, and dermatology visits are covered at the same cost as in-network in-person specialist visits.

Due to a significant increase in visits to Teladoc, members are experiencing longer than usual wait times. To assist Teladoc in serving the high demand, it is best to take the following actions:

• In advance of the first visit, employees should set up their Teladoc account and share medical history on the app or account set-up page.
• For fastest support, Teladoc encourages members to make visit requests by mobile app or on Teladoc’s website rather than by phone. Members can download the Teladoc app on the App Store or Google Play.
• After a visit request is initiated, members are encouraged to be available and ready to promptly answer Teladoc’s callbacks.

Immediate action may be required for employees who have a recurring order for monthly transit vouchers or passes in place and are temporarily not commuting to work due to COVID-19. All orders or changes to orders must be placed by the 10^th of the month prior to the month in which employees need them. To cancel recurring monthly orders for expenses for the month of May or later:

1. Log onto PayFlex’s website
2. Go to Online Commuter
3. Select Manage my commuter account or select Place an order to access the Commuter Benefits Dashboard.

For more information or for questions on the ability to get refunded for orders placed in March or April, review the information on this webpage. The refund policies are developed by the transit authorities themselves, not PayFlex.

Princeton University is enacting temporary provisions of the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) related to the Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts (HFSA) and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DFSA). To learn more, refer to Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Changes webpage.