Furman University is pleased to offer you a comprehensive benefits program. The goal of our benefits program is to provide benefit options that allow you to choose the coverage that best meets your needs and the needs of your family.
View the 2026 Benefits Guide
View the 2025 Form 1095-C information
ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES: Employees will become eligible for benefits if they are working at least 30 hours per week for 39 weeks per year or more.
EFFECTIVE DATES: Benefits will become effective the 1st of the month following date of hire. If date of hire is on the 1st of the month, benefits are effective on the 1st of the same month in which the individual was hired.
ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS:
1. Your lawful spouse
2. Your domestic partner (*See “Pre-tax Advantage” paragraph on page 3 of the Benefits Guide)
3. Any child of yours who is less than 26 years old or 26 or more years old and primarily supported by you and incapable of self-sustaining employment by reason of mental or physical disability, which arose while the child was covered as a dependent under this plan, or while covered as a dependent under a prior plan with no break in coverage.
Furman University will continue to provide employees with the opportunity to receive a reduced medical premium if the following initiatives are completed by the employee and their covered spouse/domestic partner no later than December 1 of the previous year:
New employees hired January 1 through November 30 will automatically receive the medical premium discount for the full calendar year in which they are hired. However, they and their spouse / domestic partner will need to complete the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) and Biometric Screening by December 1 in order to receive the following year discount.
New employees hired in December will automatically receive the medical premium discount for the full calendar year after they have been hired. However, they and their spouse / domestic partner will need to complete the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) and Biometric Screening by December 1 of the following year in order to receive the following year discount.
You have the option of choosing between three different plans provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield. In addition, you have access to Telemedicine as a benefit of being enrolled in one of the medical plans. Furman and the employee share the cost of these plans.
Furman University Wrap Plan Summary Plan Description
Summary of Material Modifications to the Wrap Plan
Furman University Cafeteria Plan and Flexible Spending Account Summary Plan Description
How to create your BCBS My Health Toolkit online account
My Health Toolkit Mobile App Demo
My Health Toolkit registration link
Contact BCBS:
(855) 819-0960
There are two dental insurance options provided through Blue Cross Blue Shield. Both options cover preventative care as well as basic and major dental treatment. Both options also include orthodontia for dependent children up to age 19. Dental insurance is funded by the employee.
First time users will need to go to the member portal to register with a username and password.
BCBS Dental Standard Plan Summary
BCBS Dental Premium Plan Summary
Vision insurance is provided by EyeMed, through Unum (not directly through Unum). You will get great savings on your eye exam and eyewear, and discounts on laser vision correction. Vision insurance is funded by the employee.
Go to: www.EyeMedVisionCare.com/Unum
First time users will need to go to the member portal to register with a username and password.
Contact the Customer Care Center at (855) 652-8686. Please indicate that your insurance is with EyeMed.
Furman employees have the option of participating in a Flexible Spending Account for Medical and/or Dependent Care Expense Reimbursement. Payroll deductions for the FSA plans are subtracted from your gross income before taxes are calculated; therefore, reducing the tax amount on your paycheck. Enrollment in these plans takes place once a year (during November open enrollment) so employees can define their payroll deductions for the next calendar year.
Furman employees enrolled in the HDHP medical plan have the option to contribute to their Health Savings Account to help pay for medical, dental, and vision costs with pre-tax earnings. Payroll deductions for the HSA plan are subtracted from your gross income before taxes are calculated; therefore, reducing the tax amount on your paycheck. Enrollment in these plans takes place anytime during the year, as well as during Open Enrollment.
Employees may make changes at any time during the year in the Workday System.
As a part of enrolling in the HDHP medical coverage, Furman automatically contributes money (amount based on the coverage tier) to an employee’s HSA.
Contact Accrue Health: (844) 643-3099
Access Accrue portal here.
Term life insurance equal to one and one-half times annual earnings rounded to the nearest $1,000 is provided for all benefit-eligible employees (maximum $400,000; minimum $5,000) through Unum. This term life includes Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance coverage. AD&D insurance provides coverage in the event of an accident resulting in dismemberment or death. Dependent life insurance of $10,000 is available for the spouse of an employee and up to $10,000 for each dependent child, depending on the child’s age. Furman pays the premiums for the employee life policy. Furman and the employee share the cost of any dependent life coverage.
Optional term life insurance is available through Unum. The premium is based on the amount of coverage selected and the age of the insured. Term Life Insurance is funded by the employee.
The long-term disability benefit program is required for all benefit eligible employees. The monthly income benefit, including any income benefits payable from Social Security for the employee or dependents, Worker’s Compensation, and any disability benefits payable under any insurance or retirement plan sponsored by the University, is equal to 60 percent of the covered monthly salary as of the date the disability began (maximum $12,000 monthly). Monthly benefit payments begin after 90 calendar days of continuous total disability. Premiums are paid by the employee and are dependent upon salary. Actual cost can be viewed when completing benefits onboarding in Workday.
Short-term disability insurance is available to full-time staff. The plan will help provide financial security in the event of disability caused by injury, sickness, or pregnancy. The plan will provide coverage after seven consecutive days of approved absences with a doctor’s certification and will provide weekly payments for up to 13 weeks of disability. The plan provides a weekly income benefit equal to 60% of your base salary, up to a maximum weekly benefit of $1,000. Premiums are paid by the employee and are dependent upon salary. Actual cost can be viewed when completing benefits onboarding in Workday.
Voluntary benefits help reduce the employee’s financial impact. Premiums are paid by the employee.
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – the Employee Assistance Program through HealthAdvocate provides counseling services, referrals and resources for work-life needs, as well as legal and financial information. Up to eight (8) complimentary counseling services per individual. The services are free, confidential, and available for employees and their families.
To get started, log in or register with these steps:
If accessing the site for the first time: Use Registration Code 9V3DBBG
For additional information call 866.799.2485 or download the PDF.
The Health Advocacy Concierge benefit is a group of registered nurses, medical directors and other experts who support members with clinical concerns to help them make informed health care decisions. Faculty, staff, spouses / domestic partners, dependent children, parents and parents-in-law are eligible, regardless of coverage on the Furman Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.
Contact HealthAdvocate at: 866-695-8622
The Client Advocate team is familiar with Furman’s benefits and allows our OneDigital partner to advocate on your behalf and help resolve issues with insurance carriers. For example, when you need help with researching a claim question, finding an in-network provider, or finding answers to questions about our medical insurance, you are welcome to contact the Client Advocate team for their assistance.
Direct: 1.888.617.7644
As a member of Furman’s Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Plan, effective October 1, 2024, you now have SmartShopper as part of your benefits plan. It’s an easy-to-use tool that helps you save money on over 100 medical procedures – and earn cash rewards!
Prices for the same procedure can vary greatly by location. With SmartShopper, it’s quick and easy to compare high-quality, in-network locations before you go. And by choosing a cost-effective option, you can earn a cash reward up to $750.
Getting started with SmartShopper.
May 2026 SmartShopper Promotion Flyer
Compare providers at SouthCarolinaBlues.com or call the Care Concierge Team at 888-216-8138.
The Insurance Benefits Guide provides information about each benefit including not only medical, dental, and vision, but also life, AD&D, and disability insurance.