Welcome to the Midway!
Below you will find booths that provide information to you and your family about the comprehensive benefits package Northwestern University provides.
Reminder: It is important to annually review your life insurance beneficiaries and your current benefit elections to ensure they still meet the needs of you and your family.
Please meander the Midway and enjoy!
Health Insurance
Click To Learn More About Health Insurance
Northwestern has partnered with health care providers to expand what is offered to those enrolled in Northwestern health plans. Watch videos and review materials from our vendor partners.
| Personal Health Clinicians - For PPO Plans |
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Your health plan includes the support of Personal Health Clinicians* with specialized training and clinical experience who are available to help you understand your benefits and navigate the health care system. These clinicians will help you:
Note, a Personal Health Clinician may reach out to you directly so if you get a call from BCBSIL, please answer it or call back later when convenient for you. To reach a Personal Health Clinician, call the number on the back of your member ID card. |
| Hinge Health | Livongo® | Learn to Live |
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Control your pain and move freely again. So you can take the stairs, go hiking, run errands—and everything in between. Available through PPO plans only. |
Livongo is a diabetes management program completely free to benefit eligible faculty and staff. Livongo can empower you to take control of your health and help you save money on necessary medical supplies. Free Test Strips! |
Learn to Live is a mental health resource available to faculty and staff that offers online programs and tools to help you improve your mental health by decreasing your anxiety, worry, and depression. These programs are confidential, available at no cost, and can be completed at your own pace. Available through PPO plans only. |
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Check out the programs included in the BCBSIL PPOs at no added cost: 1. Log in at bcbsil.com. 2. Click Wellness. 3. Choose Digital Mental Health. |
| Omada® | Wondr® | Ovia HealthTM |
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Omada is a digital program that provides you with the tools and support you need to build healthy habits that stick. If you have, or are at risk for, certain chronic health conditions such as diabetes, you may be eligible for this new program. Available through PPO plans only. |
Wondr Health (formerly Naturally Slim) is an online program which helps you change how you eat instead of what you eat. Learn the skills to lose weight and keep it off forever while still eating your favorite foods. Plus, you will improve your health and reduce your chance of developing a serious, chronic disease, like diabetes or heart disease. And, it's free to you. Available through PPO plans only. |
Ovia Health provides maternity and family apps to support you through your entire parenthood journey. Available through PPO plans only. |
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Dental Insurance
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| BCBS of Illinois PPO |
Guardian HMO |
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| You and your covered family members can go to any dentist, but you will generally receive greater benefits (and pay less out-of-pocket) for services you receive from a dentist who is a member of the BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois Dental PPO provider network. The plan pays the full cost of preventive services when using an in-network dental provider. | You and each family member you include under your coverage must choose a dentist who is a member of the Guardian Dental HMO provider Network as your primary dental care provider. The plan pays the full cost of preventive services. For all other covered services, the plan pays 100% of the cost after you pay a specified Copay. |
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Vision Insurance
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| Vision Plan |
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| Northwestern’s vision plan is through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. The plan utilizes the EyeMed network. The Plan offers comprehensive coverage, including eye exams and allowances for eyewear. With open access to see any eye care provider, you can see the one who is right for you. Eye exams are an important part of overall health care for you and your entire family. |
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Retirement
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| 403(b) Retirement |
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It's never too soon to start saving for retirement. Northwestern can help you build financial resources for a more secure and comfortable future through the Retirement Plan and Voluntary Savings Plan. You can make changes to your contributions at any time during the year. You do not need to wait for Open Enrollment. |
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Retiree Benefits |
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| New retirees have 31-days from their date of retirement to elect retiree benefits. For the Medicare Advantage Plan you and eligible dependents must be 65 and older and eligible for Medicare. This plan does not require you to be covered in University health plans at the time of retirement for eligibility. For the Legacy Plans eligible retirees can continue coverage for themselves and eligible dependents who are covered under your benefits plans at the time of your retirement. Coverage is effective the 1st of the month following when you active coverage terminates. |
Well-being
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| Well-being Breaks |
Faculty Wellness Program |
Eight Dimensions of Well-being |
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Well-being breaks are intended to help support day-to-day well-being by providing opportunities to engage in brief, facilitated well-being activities throughout the workday. Breaks are provided in 15-minute virtual sessions in partnership with Northwestern Recreation. On-demand activities are also available on the Well-being Activities YouTube channel. |
The Faculty Wellness Program provides assistance for full time faculty members who are experiencing difficulties in their professional or personal lives. The program offers free consultations for Northwestern faculty members to identify appropriate resources for personal and professional concerns. Resources may be offered over the phone, or the faculty member can meet with the director for further discussion. Possible resources include:
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Well-being can be described as a state of being healthy and judging life positively, and it is also multifaceted. There are Eight dimensions of well-being and the dimensions fluctuate throughout life for several reasons. As such, well-being is an ongoing process and a life-long journey, not a one-time event. University resources are available in each dimension to help support you. |
| Well-being Champions | Workplace Strategies |
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| The Well-being Champions Committee is a group of faculty and staff members who are passionate about well-being in all its eight dimensions. This group participates in monthly meetings to receive program and resource updates, learn about, initiate, and lead well-being initiatives within their schools and units, and serve as advocates across the University. |
Northwestern recognizes that the implementation of workplace strategies supports a variety of goals related to staff engagement and well-being and recruitment and retention. The policy on workplace strategies establishes a common, ongoing framework and definitions, with which school and unit leadership can implement various workplace strategies—including but not limited to remote work—in accordance with their operational needs. Please see the policy for the range of workplace strategies and visit the website for resources. |
Life Insurance
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| Life Insurance |
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Starting January 1, 2025, Northwestern's Life Insurance will be underwritten by MetLife. Northwestern provides a combination of Basic Term Life Insurance for you and the opportunity to purchase additional Supplemental, Spouse, and Dependent Child Term Life Insurance. Northwestern pays the cost of your Basic Term Life Insurance. You pay the cost of any Supplemental, Spouse, and Dependent Child Term Life Insurance you elect based on group insurance rates. One-time Enrollment Offer During Open Enrollment for 2025, faculty and staff not enrolled in Employee Supplemental Life Insurance may elect 1x salary without Evidence of Insurability (EOI). Faculty and staff not enrolled in Spouse Supplemental Life Insurance may elect $10,000 in coverage without EOI. This one-time offer will not be available after this Open Enrollment period. |
Spending Accounts
Click To Learn More About Flexible Spending Accounts
| Inspira | |
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| You can save money when you use tax-free dollars from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay eligible health and dependent care expenses incurred by you, your spouse or your dependent child(ren). | |
| Dependent Care FSA Match |
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Employees with a family adjusted gross income up to $130,000 can apply for Northwestern matching funds by completing the online Dependent Care Employer Match Application. For assistance completing this form, review this User Guide. To begin the match on the first of the month, an application must be received by the Benefits Office by no later than the 15th of the preceding month. You must enroll every year during Open Enrollment for the following year. |
Discount Providers & Transit
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| PerkSpot | NEW! LegalEASE |
MetLife Pet Insurance |
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PerkSpot is your personal savings resource online. You can find discounts and rebates on goods and services from many U.S. brands. This program complements the Wildcard Advantage Discount program, which will continue to be offered by the Procurement and Payment Services office. |
LegalEASE offers a legal insurance plan that provides support and protection for personal legal issues, including:
You and your eligible family members, including your spouse/domestic partner, dependent child(ren), and parents can take advantage. Enroll in this benefit via myHR during Open Enrollment. Cost is $15.27 per month. Contact LegalEASE at 800-248-9000 for more information about covered services and fees. |
Northwestern offers pet insurance for dogs and cats for U.S. based faculty and staff. Now more than ever, pets are playing a significant role in our lives. MetLife Pet Insurance can help with unplanned vet expenses for covered accidents or illnesses.
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| Blue365 Discount Program |
Chicago Campus Fitness Center |
Pre-tax Transit Benefit |
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Blue365 is just one more advantage of being a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) member. With this program, you and your family can save money on health care products — and services — that are most often not covered by your health plan. You'll see a full range of savings from top national and local retailers. Some discounts include:
There are no claims to file and no referrals or prior authorizations needed. After you've registered you can also sign up to receive weekly deals sent directly to your email. Visit Blue365 to start enjoying these exclusive deals. First time users will be asked to sign up. Be sure to have your BCBSIL member ID card handy. |
Join one of the premier health and fitness clubs in Chicago. This program is part of Northwestern's Procurement and Payment Services department. Northwestern provides discounted membership to Fitness Formula Clubs for the following Northwestern community members based on the Chicago campus: |
The University has partnered with Inspira, a major processor of commuter benefits, to administer our pre-tax Commuter Transit and Parking programs (the campus parking programs administered by Transportation & Parking Services are not included). If you want to place a new order or change an existing order, you must log into mybenefits.inspirafinancial.com/ before the monthly cutoff date (5th of each month) and shut off your deduction. If you do not place or update your order before the cutoff date you will receive your transit benefit for one more month. No refunds or adjustments can be provided. |
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Learn more about membership at Fitness Formula Clubs and the Lake Shore Field House: |
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Caregiving Resources
Click To Learn More About Caregiving Resources
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Tuition Plans
Click To Learn More About Tuition Plans
| Employee Reduced Tuition |
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| The University provides financial assistance to full-time, benefits eligible employees taking courses at Northwestern. This assistance can be applied toward the cost of undergraduate or graduate courses taken at the University, as well as non-credit, on-campus Professional Development Programs through the School of Professional Studies. |
| Dependent Reduced |
Dependent Portable |
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| The Dependent Reduced Tuition plans pay benefits toward the cost of tuition for eligible spouse/partner and eligible dependent child(ren) enrolled in a Northwestern University undergraduate degree program or in the University’s School of Professional Studies undergraduate level classes. A list of some eligible Northwestern programs can be found in the Professional Development section of our website. | The Dependent Portable Tuition Plans pay benefits toward the cost of tuition for eligible dependents (up to age 24) enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited, FAFSA-approved college or university other than Northwestern University. |
Business Resource Groups
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Faculty and staff are valued members of the Northwestern community. The University actively strives to attract and retain a diverse and exemplary workforce. Various affinity groups aim to enhance personal and professional development, foster a sense of community, and help Northwestern create a workplace where everyone feels they belong and thrives.
| Association for Higher Education Administrators' Development | Association of Northwestern University Women | Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Staff Affinity Group |
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| AHEAD is an affinity group open to all staff at Northwestern and dedicated to helping staff get ahead at Northwestern by providing networking opportunities and personal and professional development programming through a grass-roots, peer-to-peer approach. | The Association of Northwestern University Women (ANUW) is committed to encouraging and supporting the professional development of all those who self-identify as women in administration at Northwestern University. Our goals are to support women’s careers in administration, to build networks for the exchange of information, to foster a sense of community among women staff, and to serve as role models and mentors for other women. | The APIDA Staff Affinity Group (ASAG) is an affinity space open to all Northwestern staff members who self-identify as part of the APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) community –which is inclusive of, but not limited to, East Asian, Southeast Asian, South Asian, and Pacific Islander diasporic identities, as well as multiracial and multiethnic APIDA identities. ASAG was formed in January 2018 as a way to support APIDA staff members on campus and start a conversation about APIDA representation within institutional diversity initiatives. |
| Black Professionals Network | Latinx Professionals Coalition | Northwestern University Staff Advisory Council |
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| The Northwestern University Black Professionals Network strives to build community through our shared experiences to foster open dialogue, leadership and mentorship that will improve the NU Black professional experience. | Northwestern Unidos: Latinx Professionals Coalition was founded in 2017 by a group of staff who were committed to enhancing the professional experience of Latinx identified staff at Northwestern. Over the course of several months, the group charter and by-laws were developed and voted upon by the membership. | The Northwestern University Staff Advisory Council (NUSAC) serves as an advisory voice and change-agent for Northwestern staff in matters relating to community engagement, professional opportunities, and workplace concerns. This is accomplished through active engagement with staff, the University President, the Office of Human Resources and/or various senior administrators. |
| Northwestern University Organization of Women Faculty | Society of Women Engineers | Mixed Backgrounds and Origins Staff Space |
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| Founded in 1981, the Northwestern University Organization of Women Faculty (OWF) has long been a national leader in its efforts to improve conditions in higher education for women faculty and graduate students. Both an advocacy group and a networking resource, the OWF offers women faculty at all institutional levels an opportunity to be heard and to help shape University policy. | SWE's mission is to empower members to fulfill their full potential as engineers and leaders. Our continuous programming aims to provide a constant support system among women and non-binary engineers both academically and professionally. In addition, we seek to inspire the next generation of engineers through STEM outreach programs. | The Mixed Backgrounds and Origins Staff Space (MBOSS) carves out space for multiracial, mixed-race, or biracial staff members to foster a sense of individual belonging and build community. Additionally, the group aims to challenge members to cultivate a deeper understanding of the multiracial experience and how we contribute to the pursuit of social justice. |
Disability Insurance
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| MetLife |
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| Starting January 1, 2025, MetLife will administer Northwestern's Long Term Disability (LTD) plans. LTD provides a monthly benefit if you are unable to perform your regular job (during the first two years of your disability) or any reasonable job (after two years of disability) due to illness or injury. |