Eligibility and Enrollment

Faculty and Staff

These employees are eligible for insurance benefits and contributions by Berklee to retirement plans:

• Full-time faculty
• Full-time staff*
• Part-time faculty as defined by the Faculty Contract Agreement
• Part-time staff* scheduled to work 910 hours or more per year
• Other staff as required by the federal Affordable Care Act

*Regular, non-temporary staff

Family Members

As eligible faculty or staff you may enroll yourself and the following family members in Berklee insurance benefits:

• Your legally married spouse. A copy of your marriage certificate will be required to complete your enrollment.
• Your children younger than age 26. A copy of a birth certificate or similar document will be required to complete your enrollment.

Enrolling in Insurance Benefits

You may enroll in medical, dental, and voluntary life insurances during the first 30 days following your employment (or upon becoming eligible for benefits, if later).

Important: depending on when you complete your enrollment, insurance coverage may take effect retroactively.

When to Start Using Your Medical Insurance and/or Dental Insurance ID Card

You will receive medical insurance ID cards from Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare Plan approximately three–four weeks after you have completed the enrollment process. As a result, although your coverage will be effective the first of the month, you might not receive your cards until later. If possible, contact Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare Plan member services before scheduling your first appointment. If you need health care services before you receive your insurance ID card, you and your doctor may contact Harvard Pilgrim HealthCare Plan for proof of coverage. In an emergency, seek treatment immediately.

You will receive dental insurance ID cards from Delta Dental approximately three–four weeks after you have completed the enrollment process. As a result, although your coverage will be effective the first of the month, you might not receive your cards until later. If possible, contact Delta Dental member services before scheduling your first appointment. If you need dental care services before you receive your dental insurance ID card, you and your dentist may contact Delta Dental member services for proof of coverage.

When adding a spouse and/or dependent(s) to your dental insurance, you will not automatically receive a new ID card. You must request an ID card for your newly enrolled spouse and/or dependent(s) by contacting Delta Dental directly or downloading their app. 

When Coverage Ends

Generally, insurance coverage for you and your covered family members ends at the end of the month when your employment (or eligibility) ends. Any person whose coverage ends is eligible to continue that coverage for a period of time via COBRA. 

Changing Your Coverage (Medical or Dental)

Except during your initial 30-day enrollment period or during annual open enrollment, federal regulations prohibit you from enrolling in, canceling, or changing your participation in the plan unless you experience a qualifying life event. Examples of these events include marriage, divorce, birth of a child, and loss of non-Berklee insurance. Any change must be consistent with your qualifying life event. The deadline for making these changes is 30 days from the date of the event.