NEW FOR 2026
Blue Shield medical, dental, and vision plans will be replaced with comparable plans from Anthem.
If you choose not to make any changes to your medical, dental, and vision coverage, you will automatically be enrolled in the equivalent level Anthem plan.
All current Blue Shield plans for medical, dental, and vision are moving to Anthem for 2026.
Action is required to participate in the following plans for 2026:
-
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
-
Health Care FSA
-
Limited Purpose FSA
-
Dependent Care FSA
-
Action is not required for these plans unless you would like to make changes for 2026:
-
Medical, Dental & Vision
- Voluntary Life & AD&D
Have benefit questions?
Contact your Benefit Resource Team
Available Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (PST)
For Internal Use Only
Home
Welcome to the Academy of Art University Benefits Website!
Here, you will find comprehensive resources designed to help you fully understand and maximize your benefits package, a vital component of your overall compensation. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about your health, wellness, and financial well-being. Explore this site to discover the many ways we support you and your family, ensuring you get the most out of your benefits.
Newly Eligible to ArtU Benefits?
Have you recently received a notification that you are eligible to enroll in ArtU Benefits? Well welcome to this site which is filled with information about ArtU's benefits offerings. Once you've reviewed the information on this site, click the button below to start your enrollment process.
Qualified Life Event
If you've experienced a qualified life event, such as marriage, the birth of a child, or a change in employment status, you may be eligible to adjust your benefits outside of the regular enrollment period. We encourage you to visit our dedicated section for life events to learn how these changes can impact your benefits. Here, you'll find detailed instructions on updating your coverage to ensure it continues to meet your evolving needs.
Contact benefits@academyart.edu with the request for a change in your benefits due to a qualifying event. Please note you have 30 days from the date of the qualified life event to make changes.
Medical, Dental, and Vision
Looking for a medical, dental, or vision provider near you? Need the nearest location for care?
Have benefit questions?
Contact your Benefit Resource Team
Available Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (PST)
For Internal Use Only
Employee Benefits Portal
Medical Plans
We offer a range of medical plans, allowing you to choose the best option for you and your family. See below for full details on eligibility requirements and coverage information.
Kaiser HMO
The Kaiser Permanente HMO plan is exclusively available to employees residing in California. It offers comprehensive coverage with a focus on preventative care.
- The plan requires a deductible of $3,000 for individuals and $6,000 for families.
- Preventative services are covered without needing to meet the deductible.
- Out-of-pocket maximums are $6,000 for individuals and $12,000 for families.
- Primary care visits have a copayment of $40, and specialist visits have a copayment of $50, both not subject to the deductible.
- ArtU provides reimbursement for deductible-related expenses of $1,500 for employee-only coverage and $3,000 for employee + dependent(s) through a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).
- The plan covers essential health benefits such as maternity care and emergency services. It excludes adult dental care and children's glasses.
Anthem Select HMO
Anthem Select HMO plan, available exclusively to employees residing in California.
- Offers comprehensive health coverage with a $2,000 deductible per individual and a $4,000 deductible per family for participating providers.
- The plan includes preventive care services at no charge and requires preauthorization for certain treatments.
- Employees benefit from a reimbursement for deductible-related expenses through a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), receiving up to $1,000 for employee-only coverage and up to $2,000 for employee plus dependent(s) coverage.
- The plan also features a $3,500 out-of-pocket limit per individual and $7,000 per family, with additional costs for certain services like emergency room care and outpatient surgery.
CaliforniaCare HMO Value
CaliforniaCare HMO Value Plan offered by ArtU is no longer available to new members.
- Members benefit from the Access+ HMO provider network, ensuring personalized care through a chosen Primary Care Physician. With a manageable $2,000 individual and $4,000 family deductible, and an out-of-pocket maximum of $3,500 for individuals and $7,000 for families, this plan is structured to keep healthcare costs predictable and affordable.
- Adding to its value, ArtU supports employees with a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA), providing up to $1,000 reimbursement for deductible-related expenses for employee-only coverage and $2,000 for employee plus dependents.
Anthem Prudent Buyer PPO HSA
Anthem Prudent Buyer PPO HSA plan, available to employees in California and all other states, excluding Hawaii.
- This plan offers a deductible of $3,500 per individual and $7,000 per family, applicable to in-network providers.
- To help manage expenses, ArtU contributes $1,250 to a Health Savings Account for individual coverage and $2,500 for coverage that includes dependents.
- Preventive care services are covered before the deductible is met, and the plan includes an out-of-pocket limit of $6,000 per individual and $12,000 per family for participating providers.
- Members have access to a broad network of providers, helping to keep costs down, and don't need referrals to see specialists.
HMSA - Health Plan Plus HMO
Exclusively for employees working in the State of Hawaii, the Academy of Art University offers medical, dental, and vision coverage through HMSA - Health Plan Plus HMO.
For more information about the HMSA plan please refer to the Plan Summary below.
Need a new ID card?
Kaiser members
visit Custom Care & Coverage Just For You | Kaiser Permanente
or call 1-800-464-4000
Anthem of California members
visit Anthem of CA
or call 1-833-913-2236 for HMO
or call 1-800-888-8288 for HSA
or call 1-844-729-1565 for Dental PPO
or call 1-866-723-0515 for Vision
Have benefit questions?
Contact your Benefit Resource Team
Available Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (PST)
For Internal Use Only
Employee Benefits Portal
Dental & Vision
As part of the comprehensive health insurance coverage, you have the option to select dental and vision coverage for yourself and your dependents.
Anthem Dental - Base Plan
- The Anthem Dental - Base Plan plan provides dental coverage with an annual maximum benefit of $1,000, applicable to both in-network and out-of-network services.
- It has a $50 individual deductible and a $150 family deductible, which does not apply to diagnostic and preventive services.
- Preventive services are covered at no cost in-network, but basic services like fillings and extractions incur a 20% coinsurance, while major services like crowns and dentures require a 50% coinsurance.
- The plan does have orthodontic treatments for Adults and Children.
- The primary difference between this and the Buy-Up plan is the lower annual maximum benefit and slightly higher out-of-network coinsurance for some services.
Anthem Dental Buy-Up Plan
- The Anthem Anthem Dental Buy-Up plan offers comprehensive dental coverage with an annual maximum benefit of $1,500 for both in-network and out-of-network services.
- Similar to the Base Plan, it includes a $50 individual deductible and a $150 family deductible, applicable to all services except diagnostic, preventive, and enhanced benefits for pregnant women.
- The plan covers preventive and diagnostic services like oral exams and cleanings at no cost to the patient in-network, while basic services such as fillings and extractions require a 20% coinsurance.
- Major services, including crowns and dentures, are covered at 50% coinsurance.
- The plan does have orthodontic treatments for Adults and Children.
- The main difference between this plan and the Base plan is the higher maximum benefit and slightly lower out-of-network coinsurance for some services.
Anthem Vision
Anthem Vision plan offers a comprehensive vision care package designed to meet diverse needs while providing exceptional value.
- Key benefits include annual comprehensive eye exams and a choice of eyeglass lenses or contact lenses every calendar year, ensuring that you maintain optimal vision health.
- The plan's flexibility allows for the selection of eyeglass frames or plano sunglasses annually, catering to both corrective and style preferences.
- With no waiting periods or lifetime dollar limits, members can enjoy peace of mind knowing their vision care is both accessible and unlimited.
- Additionally, the plan offers significant savings when using participating providers, making high-quality vision care affordable and convenient.
Have benefit questions?
Contact your Benefit Resource Team
Available Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (PST)
For Internal Use Only
Employee Benefits Portal
Health Spending Accounts
Academy of Art University is providing both an HSA and FSA to help employees budget and save for qualified medical expenses incurred over the course of the plan year.
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
At Academy of Art University, we recognize that the cost of health care increases with each passing year. Our goal has always been to offer you the most comprehensive, cost-effective and competitive benefits package possible. Academy of Art University will continue to support our employees' expenses by contributing towards your deductibles through a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) administered by HSA Bank.
- For Employee Only the plan reimburses the first $1,500 of Deductible expenses
- For Employees with Dependents the plan reimburses the first $3,000 of deductible expenses
- For Employee Only the plan reimburses the first $1,000 of deductible expenses
- For Employees with Dependents the plan reimburses the first $2,000 of deductible expenses
Health Savings Account
A Health Savings Account (HSA) is a tax-free account that you can use to pay for current and future medical expenses.
If you enroll in the Anthem Prudent Buyer PPO plan, you are eligible to contribute on a pre-tax basis to an HSA. The Academy will contribute up to $1,250 for employee only and $2,500 for employees with dependents into your HSA, prorated on a per pay period basis. In addition to the Academy’s contribution, individuals may contribute the following amounts pre-tax into the HSA to reach the maximum allowable amount per IRS guidelines:
Employee Only: $3,150
Employees with Dependents: $6,250
Employees over 55 can contribute an additional $1,000
You can use these funds to cover medical, dental and vision expenses.
Money you don't spend rolls over from year to year. So, if you change jobs, switch to another medical plan or even retire, your HSA and the money in it is still yours to keep. You can choose to save it for eligible healthcare expenses tax-free in retirement.
Flexible Saving Account
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a plan that allows you to budget and save up to $3,400 of pre-tax dollars through payroll deductions to pay for qualified expenses (as defined by the IRS) incurred for the plan year. ABC Company partners with Peak Benefits for FSAs.
Dollars invested in an FSA are tax-free and the entire amount is available on the first day of the plan year. However, any money not used by end of the plan year is forfeited.
An FSA covers eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses such as medical copays, coinsurance, prescription drugs, dental and vision costs. It's available to you and any eligible dependents including spouse, children and any other person who is a qualified IRS dependent.
Dependent Care FSA
A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) is a pre-tax benefit account that allows you to set aside money to pay for eligible dependent care expenses. These expenses can include childcare, adult daycare, preschool, summer day camp, and before or after school programs. The purpose of a DCFSA is to help you and your spouse work, look for work, or attend school full-time while still being able to care for your dependents.
For 2026, the limits have increased to $7,500 per household and $3,750 per spouse if married filing separately. Any contributions that exceed the limit are treated as taxable income. You can't change your contribution amount for the year unless you experience a qualifying event, such as a change in your marital status, employment status, or the number of dependents you have.
Limited Purpose FSA limit $3400
The Limited Purpose FSA works the exact same way as the healthcare FSA except it can only be used for eligible Dental and Vision expenses. It allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible Dental and Vision expenses not covered by your dental and vision plans.
You decide how much money you want to place in your Limited Purpose FSA based on your estimated dental and vision expenses for the coming plan year. This amount will be deducted on a pre-tax basis each pay period and contributed to your Limited FSA Account. It is important to note a FSA is use-it or lose-it, so plan carefully when trying to decide if and how much you'd like to contribute.
San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (SFHCSO)
ArtU is fully compliant with the San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (SFHCSO). ArtU Employees are entitled to employer health care spending under the SF HCSO, if they meet the following qualifications:
- Employed for at least 3-months (90 days)
- Employee must work at least 8 hours per week in San Francisco
- Not currently enrolled in ArtU’s full-time health coverage
- Does not currently have an SFHCSO waiver on file with ArtU
If you are eligible, ArtU will make contributions to your SFMRA on a monthly basis. For more information on the SFMRA, check out these resources:
Have benefit questions?
Contact your Benefit Resource Team
Available Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (PST)
For Internal Use Only
Employee Benefits Portal
Wellness Resources
We believe that providing robust wellness initiatives is key to promoting a healthy lifestyle and controlling healthcare dollars while encouraging and rewarding healthy living behaviors.
Life Assistance Plan (LAP)
The Life Assistance Program by New York Life Group Benefit Solutions offers 24/7 support to help you and your family to:
- Manage life's challenges with ease.
- Enjoy benefits such as three face-to-face sessions with a behavioral counselor and enroll in monthly educational webinars
- Receive free legal and financial consultations
Kaiser Permanente Wellness Resources
Kaiser members have access to many tools including self-care apps at no cost, wellness coaching, and classes.
Anthem Wellness Resources
Anthem members have no cost resources available to members that can assist in losing weight, treating diabetes, quitting smoking, and help with your mental well-being.
CredibleMind
It’s ok, not to be ok! CredibleMind: The One Stop Shop for Mental Wellbeing Resources. CredibleMind is the free online platform that brings together expert rated and vetted videos, podcasts, apps, online programs, books and articles all in one easy to use place. Confidential and available 24/7, with CredibleMind you can learn new skills, understand your own mental health, take a mental health assessment and browse our library of thousands of mental wellbeing resources. CredibleMind covers over 200 topics including stress, burnout, depression, mindfulness, time management, sleep, and more. No matter what you are going through, CredibleMind has resources to help with science-backed evidence you can trust. Visit at artu.crediblemind.com to get started today.
ArtU Gym
You will need a valid Academy ID card for entry. Additionally, you must fill out a safety waiver to use the gym, pool, basketball courts and/or skateboard ramp. You can find the safety waiver here.
Please contact campuslife@academyart.edu if you have any questions.
Have benefit questions?
Contact your Benefit Resource Team
Available Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (PST)
For Internal Use Only
Employee Benefits Portal
Life, Disability & Voluntary Benefits
While no one likes to think about it, planning for your family’s financial security in the event of sickness, serious injury, or death is one of the greatest gifts you can give your loved ones.
Basic Life/AD&D
Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance through New York Life, provides financial security to you and your family if you pass away or become seriously injured.
- Basic Life and AD&D: As an eligible employee, you receive both Basic Life and Basic AD&D insurance of $15,000. The cost of Basic Life and AD&D coverage is sponsored by Academy of Art University.
- Life/AD&D benefits will reduce by 35% at age 65 and by 50% at age 70.
Voluntary Life/AD&D
In addition to Basic Life and AD&D, you may buy Voluntary Life and AD&D coverage at discounted rates that you may not be able to secure on your own.
Please note the following election guidelines:
- You can not purchase Life or AD&D for your dependents without enrolling yourself.
- Insurance benefit by up to $20,000 (up to the guarantee issue limit) without needing to complete a medical questionnaire.
- However if you waive Life coverage when you are first eligible and later decide to enroll, you will be required to complete a medical questionnaire. In this case, New York Life may decline your application based on medical underwriting if you are deemed uninsurable due to a medical condition.
- It’s important to note that Voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage is not subject to medical underwriting.
- Additionally, if you previously enrolled your Spouse/Domestic Partner in Life Insurance, you can increase their Life Insurance benefit by $5,000 during open enrollment without a medical questionnaire, as long as the total coverage remains within the guarantee issue limit.
Short Term Disability
For employees outside of California, the Academy is offering Short-Term Disability coverage, through New York Life. This coverage provides you with a portion of income replacement if you are unable to work due to a non-occupational illness or injury. You are automatically enrolled in STD at no cost to you.
The STD plan provides 60% of your weekly salary, to a maximum of $1,540 per week for the first 25 weeks of disability (after a 7-day waiting period).
Long Term Disability
Long-Term Disability coverage, through New York Life, pays you a portion of your earnings if you cannot work for an extended time due to a disabling illness or injury. You are automatically enrolled in LTD at no cost to you.
LTD coverage replaces 60% of your base salary to a monthly maximum of $5,000 if you are disabled for more than 180 days and are unable to work. You will continue to receive benefits if you meet the definition of disability or reach your Social Security Normal Retirement Age.
Benefits are reduced by other sources of disability income you may qualify for such as Social Security and Workers’ Compensation.
Have benefit questions?
Contact your Benefit Resource Team
Available Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (PST)
For Internal Use Only
Employee Benefits Portal
Retirement, Additional Benefits & Legal Notices
ArtU recognizes how important it is to invest in your future, which is why we provide the following additional benefits.
- The ArtU 401k plan provides a discretionary employer match to help increase your savings for retirement.
- The ArtU Tuition Remission program covers the tuition of one undergrad class per semester to help increase your knowledge and skills.
401(k)
Employees may elect to participate in the traditional pre-tax 401(k) or the Roth 401(k) after-tax Retirement Savings Plan or a combination thereof. The 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan offers varied investment options via July Services website https://www.julyservices.com/ to assist employees in the planning of their personal retirement fund.
-
Employees can contribute up to $24,500 of annual earnings on a pre-tax basis ($32,500* for anyone age 50 and older). These limits may increase due to cost of living adjustments.
-
You must be 21 years of age at the date of entry.
-
You are eligible to participate on the first of the month following your date of hire.
-
Beneficiaries need to be entered online at https://www.julyservices.com/.
*Beginning 2026, if you earned more than $145,000.00 in wages in 2025, your catch-up contributions must go into a Roth account.
Financial Wellness Support
All active part-time and full-time staff and faculty members can meet one-on-one with a Cerity Partners Financial Wellness Coach at no additional cost. This is an excellent opportunity to get answers to your personal finance questions; no question is too easy or too complicated. Your coach can provide guidance on a range of topics including:
- Debt reduction
- Budgeting
- Emergency savings
- Saving for children’s education
- Insurance
- Wills, trusts, and estate planning
- Retirement planning
Commuter Benefits
The Academy of Art University Commuter Program is administered by Commuter Check Direct. By participating in this program, you can set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for the transit and parking costs associated with your commute to and from work. The transit portion of the Commuter Program allows you to set aside pre-tax contributions to pay for bus passes, transit passes and/or commuter check vouchers. You may choose to have a reloadable Smart Card, a reloadable Commuter Check Card Prepaid MasterCard, a pass or commuter funds deposited directly onto a valid commuter transit card. If a physical pass is ordered, it will be delivered to your home.
The parking portion of the Commuter Program allows you to set aside pre-tax contributions to pay for commuter parking expenses. You may choose to place orders for one of the following options: send automated monthly payments electronically directly to the parking vendor (Monthly Direct Pay), a reloadable Commuter Check Card Prepaid MasterCard, Commuter Check for Parking Vouchers, or a Parking Cash Reimbursement.
You may deduct pre-tax money from your paycheck to pay for commute-related expenses which reduces your taxable income. The maximum contribution is:
- Transit: $340 monthly for 2026
- Parking: $340 monthly for 2026
How to Enroll or Make Changes
To enroll or make changes, please register by visiting https://login.commuterbenefits.com. From the landing page, select “New User Signup” from the Employee Login area. To register you will need Academy of Art University’s Company ID (1539), your first and last name and your home zip code. Note, the name you use must match what is in Academy of Art University’s system (example, if you are in the Academy’s system as “James”, you must use that name when registering vs. “Jim”).
If you are no longer working for the Academy, you have until the end of the month in which your employment terminates to use all available funds. Otherwise, you forfeit your available funds.
Pet Insurance
We know how much you love your furry kids at home. We also know how expensive veterinary care can be. That’s why we are excited to announce the addition of Figo Pet Insurance to our benefits package!
What you get when you purchase one of Figo’s pet health insurance plans:
- Customizable plans with annual limits of $5,000, $10,000, or unlimited.
- Coverage for chronic, hereditary, and orthopedic conditions, plus cancer treatments.
- User-friendly mobile app for claims, vet consultations, and pet health management.
- No upper age limit for coverage.
- Flexible deductibles ($100-$1,500) and reimbursement rates from 70% to 100%.
Employee Tuition Remission
Academy allows eligible classifications of employees to take one class Academy of Art Undergraduate course (on-site or online) free of tuition charge every semester. Employees will still be responsible for any additional materials/ course fees. Academy students will be given first priority to enroll in courses each semester.
- Full time staff employees working 40 hours per week
- Full time and part time faculty teaching at least one course for the entire semester
- Part time employees working a minimum of 20 hours per week for the entire semester
- Part time Educational Support Services department (Academy Resource Center) staff and faculty working a minimum of 20 hours per week for the entire semester
- Employees may not enroll in more than one (1) online course per semester, whether paid for by the employee or covered under this tuition remission policy.
- Employees are not permitted to enroll in courses that are at capacity.
- In order to have tuition waived, the 3-unit course must be taken in the same semester in which the employee is working at Academy. This means that:
- No 'credits' will be given for future semesters in which the employee will not be working full time.
- The 3-unit course tuition waiver does not roll over from one semester to another.
- Employees may not 'save up' course credits for future semesters.
- Employees must register for the course at least two working days prior to the semester start but no sooner than one week prior to the start of the semester.
- The 3-unit course may only be used by the employee. The course may not be assigned, sold or transferred to another individual.
- Employees must attend class for the duration of the semester and receive a passing grade of C- or better. Approval from the Executive Office must be granted before enrolling in future courses if grade and completion requirements are not met.
Employees will not be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses related to the course if prior to completing coursework they terminate voluntarily or are terminated for not fulfilling job responsibilities or for violating expected rules of conduct. An employee who terminates their employment voluntarily (i.e. resigns) will have the option to pay applicable pro-rates fees and costs to continue in the class, or be immediately dropped from the class on their last day of work at no additional cost. An employee who elects to pay applicable pro-rated fees and costs to continue in the class will be contacted by the Student Services Department and/ or Accounts Receivable Department regarding payment. When an employee is terminated involuntarily they will be dropped from the class effective their last day of work.
We hope that you will take advantage of this program and experience some of Academy's wonderful course offerings first-hand. To enroll in a course, please contact the Student Services Department.
NY Life Benefit Solutions
Travel Assistance
The NYL GBS Secure Travel program provides comprehensive travel protection with pre-trip planning, travel assistance, and emergency medical transportation for those traveling 100 miles or more from home. Available 24/7, this service ensures that help is just a phone call away, offering peace of mind for travelers facing unexpected situations.
Survivor Assistance Plan
The NYL GBS Survivor Assurance program provides beneficiaries with timely support during challenging times, offering easy access to funds and comprehensive assistance including emotional, financial, legal, and estate support. With 24/7 access to resources and professional consultations, beneficiaries can navigate their needs with confidence and ease.
Perks at Work
We’ve partnered with Perks at Work to bring exclusive perks to you and your families exclusive discounts and rewards on everything from travel and tech to movie tickets and more.
-
Access to better than public pricing on everything you need to buy from 30,000 merchants worldwide.
-
Support what matters to you: browse collections of local, sustainable, and minority-owned small businesses.
-
Refer a favorite business or entrepreneur you know—over 2,000 new brands join the program each year.
-
Earn cash-back rewards that can be redeemed on thousands of brands and never expire.
Want to start saving? Begin your shopping now by clicking the button below. Click on Register for Free and enter Academy of Art University when prompted.
Legal Notices
This section includes required notices regarding ArtU's Health, Welfare, and Retirement Plans. As notices are updated they will be posted here. These notices include:
-
Medicare Part D Credible Coverage Notice - updated annually in October.
-
HIPAA Notice of Special Enrollment - updated as required
-
Women's Health Care & Cancer Rights Act - updated as required
-
Chilren's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Notice - updated as required
-
San Francisco Health Care Security Ordinance (SFHCSO) - updated annually in January
-
Summary Annual Report for ArtU Welfare Plans
-
Annual 401k Statement
-
Summary Annual Report - ArtU 401k Plan
Have benefit questions?
Contact your Benefit Resource Team
Available Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (PST)
For Internal Use Only
