We offer two Consumer Directed Health Plans (CDHP): Core and Core Plus.
A CDHP, also known as a High Deductible Health Plan, combines:
- A higher deductible amount than other kinds of health plans with generally lower premiums
- A tax-advantaged health savings account (HSA), which may be funded in part by UBS
- If you are enrolled in Medicare or any other government sponsored medical plan you will have the option to elect a medical plan that is paired with a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA).
We encourage you to invest time to learn more about CDHPs and the plan options before making a decision.
Both the Core and Core Plus plans work the same way. You also have a choice of health carrier networks (via Aetna, Cigna, and Anthem; and Kaiser in California, Colorado, Georgia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, Washington State, and other Northwest locations).
You can go in- or out-of-network when you need care (except if you opt for Kaiser which requires you to use Kaiser's network, unless you require emergency medical services). But you’ll pay significantly more when you use a doctor or provider who does not participate in your network.
The difference between the two plans lies in how much you pay out of your own pocket (deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and coinsurance) vs. how much you pay out of your paycheck in monthly premiums.
- In-network preventive care. Covered at 100% and includes preventive prescription drugs. The deductible does not apply.
- Annual Deductible. You must meet the annual deductible before the plan pays for other care and prescription drugs. The entire family deductible applies if you cover one or more family members. Prescription drugs count toward the deductible.
- Coinsurance. After you meet the deductible, you and UBS share in the cost of coverage for most covered care, including prescription drugs. In-network primary care office visits are covered at 100%. Your portion of the cost is called coinsurance.
- Out-of-pocket maximum. If you reach this cap, UBS generally pays 100% of covered services for rest of the year. Coinsurance, annual deductible and prescription drugs all apply toward the out-of-pocket maximum.
How the plans compare to each other
CDHPs let participants decide how they want their healthcare dollars to be spent.
Enrollees can use their tax advantaged Health Savings Account dollars to pay their higher out-of-pocket healthcare costs (e.g., coinsurance expenses, annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum amounts).
And they can make alternative choices that help manage their healthcare expenses.
For example, they can effectively manage healthcare expenses by:
- Opting for an urgent care facility instead of a hospital's high-cost emergency room, if it's appropriate.
- Access Telehealth at $0 cost to you after 1/1/2026
- Electing to use a generic drug instead of a brand-name drug.
- Selecting doctors and specialists who are in network rather than out of network.
- Following up on preventive care recommendations to keep a health issue from escalating, ultimately costing much more in medical care.
- Participating in wellness programs.
- Using funds from a Health Savings Account (HSA).
As you review the medical plans, consider your (and your family's) healthcare needs.
How much you expect to use healthcare beyond preventive care will affect how much you pay out of pocket. So take a moment to understand what is covered as preventive care.
When using the Find a Doctor option, please be sure to use the appropriate UBS network for your selected medical carrier.
- Aetna: Choice POS II Network, https://www.aetna.com/individuals-families.html
- Cigna: Open Access Plus Network, https://sites.cigna.com/ubs/
- Anthem: Anthem National PPO (Blue Card), https://www.anthem.com/
- Kaiser: https://kp.org/doctors
Your contributions for the medical plan you choose will be deducted from your pay on a pre-tax basis and will be based on your Benefits Base Salary (BBS), the plan you elect and whether you cover any family members. Families are charged a cost for each child (up to three children). Read more about BBS in Terms & Concepts on the Enrollment Resources page of this microsite.
One way to demonstrate our commitment to affordability and fairness is through the medical plan annual deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and payroll contributions, which are tiered to align with Benefits Base Salary (BBS). Refer to the newsletter you received in the mail to understand how much you'll pay in premiums.
The following surcharge applies, and will be added to 2026 medical premiums:
The following surcharge applies, and will be added to 2026 medical premiums:
A Tobacco User Surcharge will be added to your monthly medical premiums if you and/or your covered spouse/ partner use tobacco. The Tobacco User Surcharge is equal to $80 per month ($960/year) if you use tobacco or $160 per month ($1,920/year) if both you and your covered spouse/partner use tobacco.
If you and/or your covered spouse/partner use tobacco, UBS offers the Quit for Life Smoking Cessation Program at no cost to you to help you and/or your covered spouse/partner. If you complete the program in 2026 you can avoid the Tobacco User Surcharge by receiving a refund of the entire surcharge you paid in 2026. Information on the Quit for Life Smoking Cessation Program can be found under Health & Insurance > Health Plans on the Alight Worklife website. If you or your medical provider have any questions regarding the Quit for Life Smoking Cessation Program, please contact Quit for Life at +1-866-784-8454. If your medical provider advises you not to complete the Quit for Life Smoking Cessation Program, we will work with you and your medical provider to accommodate an alternative method for achieving your health goals.