# Open Enrollment Resource Center ## Welcome to the Harvard University Group Health Plan (HUGHP) Open Enrollment Resource Center. ![Member Services sitting and holding signs that read "HUGHP is Harvard"](/sites/g/files/omnuum11506/files/styles/hwp_21_9__1920x825/public/2025-09/team%20pic%208%202025_0.jpg?itok=SEmOIn42) ## We're glad you're here! Open enrollment is your annual opportunity to review your benefit options and choose the ones that best meet your needs. As you review your options this year, we invite you to explore HUGHP and consider us for your health plan needs. Open all sections Close all sections ### The University's 2026 Open Enrollment Changes expand\_more **What’s changing in 2026?** Changes to benefits have a direct impact on all of us. The updates for 2026 were recommended by the University Benefits Committee (UBC) and approved by the University to address rising health care costs and ensure the continued strength of our plans. We’ve highlighted the changes to HUGHP on our [**What's New for 2026 webpage**](/medical-and-prescription-changes-2026 "Medical and Prescription Changes for 2026"). Visit Harvie to learn more about the [**University’s changes**](https://harvie.harvard.edu/open-enrollment-2026). **Important:** these changes apply to all medical carriers (HUGHP and BCBSMA). ### Why Choose HUGHP? expand\_more We believe in a comprehensive, integrated healthcare system so you can receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place. > “After having had many different insurance plans and healthcare providers all across the country, HUGHP and HUHS were the fastest and easiest I've ever had to deal with. They were helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly!” Learn more about what it means to experience the [**HUGHP advantage**](/hughp-advantage "The HUGHP Advantage"), including our partnership with BCBSMA. ### Our Provider Network expand\_more When you join this plan, you must choose a primary care provider (PCP) for you and each member of your family from the HUGHP network of participating providers. **Adult Primary Care** Our adult primary care physician network includes Harvard University Health Services and all Atrius Health locations. **Pediatric Primary Care** Our pediatrician network includes any pediatrician or family medicine physician provider in the BCBSMA HMO Blue network for child dependents under age 26. This includes Atrius Medical Groups and Mount Auburn Pediatrics. **Specialty Care and Mental Health** For specialty and mental health care, members can access the BCBSMA HMO Blue network for providers in addition to the specialists at the designated primary care locations. ### Learn More About the Value of Harvard University Health Services expand\_more ## A message from HUGHP’s Medical Plan Director and HUHS Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Kathy Niknejad: Dear Colleagues, At HUHS, it is our privilege to serve the health care needs of the Harvard community. We are dedicated to caring for our patients at every stage of their health journey. Whether you are focusing on prevention and wellness, navigating a new diagnosis, or managing a chronic condition, our commitment is to help you achieve your best health. Our main clinical practice is located at the Smith Campus Center in Harvard Square, making high-quality care accessible at the center of campus life. With additional practices at the Law School and the Medical School in the Longwood area, we bring care to where many of you live and work. By uniting Primary Care, Urgent Care, and Specialty Medicine across these sites, we provide not only comprehensive and coordinated care, but also a trusted home for your health right here on campus. [ Read Dr. Niknejad's full message. arrow\_circle\_right ](/message-hughps-medical-director-and-huhs-chief-medical-officer-dr-kathy-niknejad) ### Book a Remote Appointment With Our Team expand\_more We’re here to navigate you through the complex world of insurance. If you would like to meet with us one-on-one, [**please contact our office**](/contact-us "Contact Us") to schedule a meeting via Zoom. Please include your name, your Harvard or Insurance ID number, the times that work best for you, and topics or questions you may have in your email. If a remote appointment is not convenient for you, we are also available by email ([**mservices@huhs.harvard.edu**](mailto:mservices@huhs.harvard.edu)) and phone (617-495-2008). ### Meet Us at the University's Benefit Fairs expand\_more We’ll have a table present at the University’s Open Enrollment fairs. Stop by to meet us and ask questions about HUGHP! There will be giveaways and a raffle. Note: All fairs will be held from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. - **Thursday, October 23** – School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) Su Family Gallery, 150 Western Avenue, Science and Engineering Complex, Allston - **Tuesday, October 28** – Harvard Business School, 25 Harvard Way, Chao Hall 120 (first floor), Boston - **Wednesday, October 29** – Harvard School of Dental Medicine, 188 Longwood Ave., Research and Education Building Lobby, Boston - **Monday, November 3** – Smith Campus Center, 1350 Mass. Ave., Mount Auburn Room, Second Floor South, Cambridge ### Our Team expand\_more We’re Harvard employees – just like you! We love supporting the Harvard community, with an average of over 21 years of experience working for the health plan. Last year, we helped 5k+ unique members over the phone – and we’d love to help you, too! > "Every time I've called member services it's been a stellar experience. Being able to give my HUID as an identifier instead of having to look up my health insurance number to start with, but mostly getting to talk to someone without ridiculous wait times and someone who is knowledgeable, caring, and feels like a happy and able to help kind of person, easy to understand, with a great phone connection, just kind human beings. Many of these things are rare in customer service, and I so, so, SO appreciate them!!" Interested in learning more about our individual team members? [**View our profiles here**](/staff "Staff"). ### Open Enrollment Raffle expand\_more Thank you for your interest in HUGHP. Please complete [**this form**](https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=9CL6b2hFBUGtQy461HJpV3SvC52FxohFrGOde9sUpCtUQTJZSU9RRFNSTVM2QTZPNk9ORjVZRkwxOS4u&route=shorturl) to enter our open enrollment raffle. You do not need to be a current member to enter. Prizes include: - 1-hour massage at the Center for Wellness (1 winner) - Laptop sleeves (4 winners) - Laptop Backpack (6 winners) - Power bank (1 winner) ### Reasons to Keep HUGHP as Your Plan of Choice for 2026 expand\_more **Access to Harvard University Health Services/Primary Care Providers** If you have a Harvard University Health Services primary care provider (PCP) and leave HUGHP, you will have to change your PCP and will no longer be able to have scheduled care at HUHS. The only exception is if you enroll in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA (BCBSMA) High Deductible Health Plan. **Pediatric Care** Dependent children (under age 26) can select a pediatric primary care provider with any HMO BCBSMA pediatrician or family medicine physician, including Atrius Health and Mount Auburn Pediatrics. **Lower Premiums** HUGHP has the same [**medical benefits**](/benefit-summaries "Benefit Summaries") as other University health plan options, with lower monthly premiums. **Personalized Customer Service** Our Member Services team is staffed by Harvard employees. Because it’s one of our health plan options, we can guide you through the healthcare experience in a way that no other health plan can. If you switch to one of the BCBSMA plans, the HUGHP Member Services team will no longer be able to assist you. You will have to contact the BCBSMA Member Services team directly. **Exclusive Discounts** Exclusive discounts on massages and classes at the [**Center for Wellness and Health Promotion**](https://wellness.huhs.harvard.edu/). **HUGHP Out-of-Area Dependent Coverage** In addition to emergency and urgent care, child dependents (under age 26) living outside the Massachusetts service area can receive in-network coverage for non-emergency medical and mental health care when they register with HUGHP. This applies to all child dependents enrolled in the HMO, POS, and POS+ plans. [**Learn more about this coverage**](/dependent-children-living-outside-massachusetts "Dependent Children Living Outside of Massachusetts"). ### Differences Between the Two Health Plans Offered by the University expand\_more 1. **Get expert help from your Harvard colleagues** Our experienced member services team is made up of Harvard employees. Being part of the Harvard community allows us to guide you through the health care experience in a way that no other health plan can. 2. **Pay lower premiums** HUGHP monthly premiums are lower than other Harvard HMO and POS plans. Check your Open Enrollment guide to calculate potential savings. 3. **Access our extensive physician network** - **Adult primary care:** Our physician network includes more than 25 primary care physician groups throughout eastern Massachusetts, including Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) and Atrius Health Groups. - **Pediatric primary care:** For child dependents under age 26, our physician network covers all Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) HMO Blue pediatricians and family medicine practitioners in Massachusetts, including Mt. Auburn Pediatrics and Atrius Health. - **Specialty care:** Our members have access to medical and behavioral health specialists within their own primary care physician groups, as well as a vast network of specialists through the BCBSMA HMO Blue network. 4. **Experience unbeatable convenience** When you choose an on-campus primary care physician at HUHS, you also get access to all HUHS specialty care providers- for the ultimate in convenience. 5. **Enjoy exclusive discounts** With HUGHP, you enjoy discounts on everything from massages to exercise classes at the Harvard [**Center for Wellness and Health Promotion**](https://wellness.huhs.harvard.edu/). ### A Voice-Guided Overview of HUGHP expand\_more ## Discover what your coverage with HUGHP could look like. Making a change to your insurance can feel intimidating, which is why we’ve put together a self-paced, voice-guided presentation. Watch the voice-guided presentation below!