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Discounts Available to Rice Faculty & Staff
Working at Rice is a hoot, but did you know that you can actually save money as a Rice employee? Yes, you can, and your discounts are related to:
Aetna
Log in to Aetna Navigator to view all of the up-to-date information about your benefits, including discount programs. Current programs inlcude:
- eDiets Discounts (To enroll call:1-800-265-6170) – eDiets.com is a leading provider of online weight loss services, information and products.
- Fitness Discounts – Visit www.globalfit.com/fitness - You can view details about any fitness club, including rates and amenities, and register for membership online. Call GlobalFit toll free at 800-298-7800. A GlobalFit representative can answer your questions, send you a free guest pass, and help you join the club of your choice.
- Hearing Discounts – The Hearing discount program helps you and your family (including parents and grandparents) save on hearing exams, hearing services and hearing aids. This program is offered in conjunction with HearPO® and includes access to over 1,500 participating locations — at no additional premium cost. To find a participating location in your area log on to www.aetna.com, click on our DocFind® online provider directory and select Hearing Services or call 1-888-HEARING (make sure they know that you’re an Aetna member).
- Mayo Clinic Bookstore Discounts (Shopping cart promotion code: AetnaMayo) – Now the expertise of the world-renowned Mayo Clinic is available to all through newsletters, books, and DVDs that provide practical, understandable health information.
- Natural Products and Services Discounts – The Aetna Natural Products and ServicesSM discount program provides you and your family members with savings on complementary health-care products and services not traditionally covered by your health benefit plan. All products and services are provided through American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) and its subsidiaries, American Specialty Health Networks, Inc. (ASH Networks) and Healthyroads, Inc. Go to http://www.ashcompanies.com/applications/members/providersearch/default.aspx to find a provider.
- Oral Health Care Discounts
- You and your family have access to savings on oral health care products through our discount program with Epic Dental — free of charge! The program offers discounts on a wide array of Epic products that contain xylitol — a natural sweetener shown to stop tooth decay. Use Epic Dental products to help fight cavities and keep your smile the best it can be! Visit www.epicdental.com/aetna and get 50 percent off your first order up to $25.00. Promotional code: AE25FT. A 20 percent discount on all subsequent orders. Promotional code: AE25DN.
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Waterpik® Discount Program -- Two Special Offers for Aetna Members:
Waterpik Ultra Dental Water Jet -- Easier and More Effective than Floss, for Healthier Gums in 14 Days - Guaranteed. Your mouth will be cleaner and fresher than ever, and you can save money over time on expensive dental procedures. Buy the Waterpik Ultra now for only $44.99 plus shipping and handling.
Waterpik Sensonic Professional Sonic Toothbrush -- 25% faster and clinically proven to remove significantly more plaque than other Sonic Toothbrushes! Special Features: 2 minute time, 30 second quadrant pacer, dual speed control, and 3 brush heads included - Standard, Small, and Interdental Brush. Buy the Waterpik Sensonic Professional now for only $49.99 plus shipping and handling.
Please visit www.AetnaWaterpikOffer.com or Call 1-800-290-1568 and use the promotional code: AetnaWP09 to take advantage of these exciting offers.
- SpaWish Gift Certificates Discounts (Shopping cart promotion code: Aetna84572) – buy discount spa gift certificates!
- Vision Discounts – We're changing the name of our vision discount program from Vision One® to Aetna VisionSM Discounts. As we complete this change during the next several months, you may continue to see the old name in print materials. Whether it's called Vision One or Aetna Vision Discounts, it's the same great savings program! Aetna Vision Discounts helps you save on eyeglasses, sunglasses, contact lenses and solutions, LASIK, and more. Best of all, it's automatically included with your Aetna health benefits plan and health insurance plan, so you don't pay any extra to get the program. We've contracted with EyeMed Vision Care to bring you a broad network of eye care providers including Pearle Vision®, Lenscrafters®, JCPenney Optical®, Target Optical® and participating Sears Optical® locations. In addition, there are thousands of independent eye care providers available. Most participating locations have doctors of optometry practicing right on the premises or at a nearby location. Even if you don't have eye exam coverage through your health benefits plan, you can still get a great rate on eye exams for eyeglasses or contact lenses. You also get discounted LASIK procedures: 15% off the surgeon's fee through the U.S. Laser Network. Call 1-800-422-6600 for additional information.
- Weight Management Discounts – The Aetna Weight ManagementSM discount program provides you and your eligible family members with access to discounts on Jenny Craig® weight loss programs and products. With a discounted program membership you receive personalized weight loss consultation services, menu planning, motivational materials and much more. Depending on which Jenny Craig program you choose, you may also save on your weekly food purchases. Start with a FREE 30-day membership. Then, join a program and save: 50% off 6-month program (gold) or 1-year program (platinum) or 20% off Jenny Rewards 1-year program. Call 1-800-96-JENNY to talk with a Jenny Craig consultant to locate the Jenny Craig centre nearest you or to learn more about the Jenny Direct
- Zagat Healthy Dining Discounts – Compliments of the Aetna Member Services group, we are pleased to offer you a one-year full-access subscription to Zagat.com for $17.50 (30% off the regular $24.95 subscription price).
Voluntary Benefits
Rice offers you access to a completely new set of voluntary benefits. Take advantage of Answer Financial today to shop and buy these popular insurance and financial products:
- Vehicle Insurance
- Home Warranty
- Homeowners/Renters Insurance
- Healthcare
- Life Insurance
- Pet Insurance
Get all the information, choice and help you need with:
- No-obligation quotes by phone or the Internet
- Affordable plans from highly rated providers
- Advice you can trust from experienced agents
- Personalized service from quotes to claims
- An information-rich Web site for quotes … and much more!
Explore your options today! Call 1-866-581-8111 (toll-free) for no-obligation quotes and mention Affinity Group Name: RICE.
Or visit Answer Financial's web site and do your own research. Then call them if you need help in refining your quote.
As an employee of Rice University, you have free access to Answer Financial. Although taking advantage of this service is optional, we hope you and your family find it to be a convenient way to get more for your protection dollars.
Weight Watchers
Rice provides a 50% subsidy to all benefits eligible faculty and staff to join Weight Watchers at Work program on campus. Go to a Weight Watchers meeting (Mondays at 11:30 am in McNair 217) to enroll.
See the Wellness web site for additional healthy options and free services provided to benefits eligible faculty & staff.
Dental Benefits
Rice now subsidizes 50 percent of the cost of dental benefits for all faculty & staff earning less than $35,000 per year (annualized) for fiscal year 2009 (July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009). This is in recognition of the critical link between dental health and overall health. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled. Salary is determined on April 1 of each year for the next fiscal year, or at the time of hire in a newly hired employee.
Pharmacy Benefits
As of July 1, 2008, Rice started a program in conjunction with Aetna to offer many prescriptions for certain conditions at no cost or at a reduced cost. These conditions include:
- Asthma (inhaled steroids)
- Diabetes (anti-diabetic agents)
- Heart disease (beta blockers)
- Hypertension (anti-hypertensives)
- Hyperlipidemia (anti-hyperlipidemics)
Your first copayment with this diagnosis/drug combination will be as stated in the plan, but copayments thereafter will be:
- Covered @100% if generic
- Covered @ 50% of copayment amount if preferred brand name
Travel Benefits
Medical Insurance
Aetna medical coverage offers you emergency care (treated as in-network coverage) anywhere in the world. Also, Rice’s Flexplan (POS) and PPO plans cover non-emergency services outside of the U.S. under the non-network coverage. Please note that not all facilities accept US insurance for payment – you may need to make arrangements for payment and then submit your receipt to Aetna as a claim. The claim forms are found on the benefits website and a member of the benefits team is always available to assist you with this process.
Also, please note that Aetna’s National Medical Excellence (NME) program can coordinate your urgent or acute care outside of the U.S.. This includes assessment of the urgent or acute care facility, appropriateness for the required care, transfer of the member to a more appropriate acute care facility for stabilization, transfer of the member back to the United States, and/or transfer of the member back home.
Aetna’s NME may be contacted at 877-212-8811 (fax 215-775-5781) or after business hours at 215-775-6445.
Travel Insurance
Rice carries a travel accident insurance policy covering faculty, staff and students who are in the service of the University and travel for the University. Benefits are afforded for accidental death and dismemberment subject to certain exclusions referenced in the policy.
See the Travel Services website for additional information regarding Rice's travel benefits.
Provista Savings Programs
Provista provides supply and service contracts to members of CCCS (Coalition for College Cost Savings), which is a national consortia of 18 college and university member organizations. As a founding member of this consortia, ICUT (Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas), of which Rice is a member, is able to bring you this opportunity for employee savings, as well. Now you can enjoy additional savings on cell phone service, tax preparation services, household paint, car rentals, moving expenses and much more.
Click here to find out more about Provista's Employee Savings Program, or contact Provista at 1-888-538-4662 or ProvistaCustService@provistaco.com.
HedgeHopper
The Student Association negotiates deals with local businesses so you pay less. We call this the HedgeHopper Program. Every student is issued a HedgeHopper card, but faculty & staff can get them, too. You may be asked to show your HedgeHopper card and/or your Rice ID card when requesting a HedgeHopper discount.
If you need a replacement card, please contact the SA External Vice President (see http://sa.rice.edu for contact information).
For a list of vendors and discounts, please visit the Student Association's Hedge Hopper website.
Information Technology
Faculty & staff can receive discounts through negotiated deals from IT. They include:
Computers
Software
- Includes discount software for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.
- Includes free PC-cillin (anti-virus) software for your personal computer at home.
- You can also get free software to connect to Rice from home.
Cell Phones
There are currently discount programs from:
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AT&T = 15% off Monthly Service on AT&T calling plans (for new and existing customers, available on some plans). $50-$150 mail-in rebates on many different types of phones and devices. Discounted phone-plan packages. Faculty and Staff are encouraged to use the Individual Rice University number, IRU# 2457446, when ordering online or when visiting ATT retail stores. This number, along with your Rice ID card, will garner the contract percentage discount.
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Verizon = Rice faculty or staff can save 15% - 20% on their monthly access for Verizon calling plans and equipment. This discount is not available in stores, and is only available for Rice employees with a valid Rice e-mail address. Start the process by entering your Rice email address on this Verizon discount web page.
Accessories
- Apple and CDW-G offer many different categories of accessories (printers, computer parts, digital cameras, MP3 players, flash memory, office supplies, etc.). More information about these vendors is available at the Vendors page. This page lists recommendations in different categories, although more products are available. Prices may not be up to date. Keep in mind that these prices may not be the lowest available.
For the latest discounts and services for personal purchases, visit the IT Marketplace website.
Continuing Studies
Discount for Rice Faculty, Staff and Students
A 50 percent discount on all non-limited enrollment courses, including most courses in the categories of Arts, Humanities and Sciences and Personal Finance, is offered to Rice University faculty, staff and students and their immediate family members. The discount is 10 percent on limited enrollment, professional development and information technology courses. No discounts are offered for wine tasting classes. Discounts do not apply to the cost of books or supplies. Please indicate your Rice University status on the registration form. For information on Rice discounts on language courses, call 713-348-4019. For information on tuition and fees for Rice Summer School, call 713-348-4803.
Visit the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies' website for more information about courses, prices and schedules.
Barnes & Noble
Receive 10 percent discount at Barnes & Noble at Vanderbilt Square (3003 West Holcolmbe Blvd, 77025) through a discount card available at the Rice University Bookstore (just request the discount card at the front desk – you may need to show your ID). You need to get a new card each calendar year.
Procurement
You can receive the Rice University contracted price for personal office supplies, Enterprise car rentals, and other services through Rice's Procurement team.
Please visit http://www.procurement.rice.edu/ for more information.
Children’s Programs
Child Care
Montessori Country Day School
Rice community members who are benefits-eligible faculty, benefits-eligible staff, graduate students, or undergraduate students will be given preferential placement on all Montessori Country Day (MCD) School waitlists, as with the current policies for preferential placement of siblings and alumni of MCD.
To take advantage of this service, please contact Veronica Villasenor (x4759) or Elaine Britt (x6074) prior to registering your child in MCD.
Montessori Country Day is located at 5117 La Branch St. (77004), within the Museum District and close to the Rice Campus.
YMCA - Texas Medical Center
Rice community members who are benefits-eligible faculty, benefits-eligible staff, graduate students, or undergraduate students will have no child care application fees, and Rice has five child care slots reserved at the center.
Just let the YMCA staff know that you are a Rice community member, and the application fee should be waived.
Summer Camps
- Rice's Recreation Center has a summer youth activity program, and Rice employees receive early registration and a discount.
- Rice's Athletics Department runs many summer camps for the Houston community, and Rice employees receive a 10% discount.
- Rice has partnered with KiDVENTURE to offer summer camp programs to faculty and staff at their convenient locations across Houston -- as a Rice employee you receive free before and after camp care!
- KiDVENTURE is also expanding the free before and after camp care to Rice employees for the winter camp program. Read the flier for additional details.
Banking
Chase Bank
As a Rice university employee, you have access to lots of free and discounted services at Chase Bank. This includes:
- No monthly service fees on Workplace Checking and Savings accounts with direct deposit
- Earn interest on higher balances
- No minimum balance requirement with direct deposit
- Free Chase Online banking with free bill payment and free debit card
- Up to $500 off closing costs on a Chase mortgage
- Receive a 1% origination fee discount with a Chase Education Once loan
Smart Financial Credit Union
As an employee of Rice University, you are eligible for Credit Union membership. Smart Financial Credit Union is a full-service, not-for-profit, financial institution that is committed to providing superior service to our members. We have been serving our members with this focus in mind since 1934.
Stop by your Human Resources department and pick up a membership packet or e-mail them at 1Businessdevelopment@smartcu.org for additional information.
Here are just a few examples of their array of products and services. Click on each item for more information or click here to see our current promotions!
- Savings Accounts
- Auto Loans
- Checking Accounts
- Student Loans
- Free Online Banking / Bill Pay
- Real Estate Loans
- Debit MasterCard
- Personal Loans
- CDs & IRAs
- Payroll Deduction / Direct Deposit
- Credit Cards
- And Much More…
Housing
AMLI at the Medical Center
Rice University employees receive $150 of of their first month's rent (in addition to any other current offers) at any AMLI apartments. See the letter here.
For any questions or updates to this page, please contact Elaine Britt.
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