HomeHome < Employees < Health and Welfare Benefits < Medical Plans < Available Plans < How the CIGNA Choice Fund HRA Plan Is Different Than a PPO

While the Choice Fund HRA Plan is similar to a standard PPO plan, there are some very important differences and advantages.

  • Health Reimbursement Account Feature (HRA). The HRA, which UC funds, automatically pays first for 100% of eligible medical and pharmacy expenses until the balance is exhausted. If you use up your HRA dollars, the traditional health plan features begin.
    Your HRA:
    employee $1,000
    employee + adult $1,500
    employee + child(ren) $1,500
    family $2,000

  • Unused HRA Balances Roll Over. Any unused balances left over in your HRA at the end of the plan year carries over to the next year - reducing the amount you may have to pay for future health care expenses. This is the only plan that lets you save your dollars for a year when you need them more.

  • Deductible Isn't Upfront. The deductible works differently than with a PPO. When you use the plan, payment for services is deducted from the HRA. If you exhaust your HRA, then you pay the remaining share of the deductible. If you don't use all of your HRA, the deductible doesn't come into play and you pay nothing.

  • No Copays. There are no copays with the Choice Fund HRA Plan. As long as you have a balance on the HRA available, you pay nothing out-of-pocket.

  • Tools and Resources. Choice Fund includes many tools and resources, such as a discount program for items not covered by your plan such as Weight Watchers and Lasik eye surgery, a 24-hour nurse line, a personal website to track your account, and CIGNA's specially trained Customer Service representatives.

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