Temple University and Temple Health have been collaborating to provide university employees and their families additional opportunities to receive the outstanding care provided by Temple Health physicians and facilities at the most affordable rates possible.  The changes will build on existing incentives and will be rolled out between now and July 1, 2025. 

For years, Temple Health has waived co-pays for university employees for visits at Temple Health physician offices and this will continue. In addition, several new enhancements are now in place for nonbargaining unit university employees covered by university health plans, and more are on the horizon. 

Some of the new enhancements that went into effect on Dec. 1 include the following. 

• All co-pays for the use of Temple Health facilities with the exception of Emergency Department visits will continue to be waived. This includes visits to Temple urgent care facilities. When checking in with any provider, employees should inform them that they work for the university, and that the co-pay should be waived. 
• For nonbargaining employees, the 20% co-insurance payment that was implemented a few years ago will now be waived for all services at Temple Health facilities, such as radiology and lab work. Once again, at check-in, employees should let the provider know that they work for the university. Deductible liabilities will remain the employee’s responsibility. 

Additional improvements coming later in 2025 include the following. 

• Temple and Temple Health continue to work on additional changes to the PPO plan for nonbargaining employees that will further minimize out-of-pocket expenses for use of Temple Health physicians and services. These changes are expected to be implemented and be effective by July 1, 2025. More information will be shared in the near future, well in advance of the effective date. 
• Temple Health will also make available to university employees a “Family First” scheduling line for expedited appointment scheduling, at 215-707-5300. 

The enhancements come shortly after John Fry assumed office as Temple’s 15th president, and they reflect the president’s desire to ensure that both Temple and Temple Health are working in tandem to best serve the larger Temple and Philadelphia communities. 

“Temple Health is one of the region’s top academic health systems, and it is a driver of both innovation and economic impact,” Fry said. “Across both the university and Temple Health, we have more than 20,000 employees, and it only makes sense to further encourage our employees to utilize the exceptional inpatient and outpatient services that are a hallmark of Temple Health. This is a great step in the right direction, and I look forward to continuing future collaborations between our university and our health system.” 

“This collaboration was a great opportunity for the university to provide employees and their families access to the excellent care and services offered by Temple physicians at Temple Health facilities while also providing much needed savings at a time when healthcare costs are increasing at a rapid pace,” added Sharon Boyle, vice president for human resources. “This is part of a larger effort to provide expanded well-being resources for our employees and their families and we are fortunate to have natural partners in this effort in our health system.” 

If a Temple employee uses any of the aforementioned Temple Health services and ultimately receives a bill after the fact, they should contact Anita Colón, vice president of revenue cycle operations for Temple Health, to have the bill rectified. She can be reached at 215-707-3522.