Below is a summary of current employee benefits offered at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL). An employee must work full-time or part-time (working 30 hours or more each week) to qualify for our benefits. Excluded are part-time employees working less than 30 hours each week and seasonal employees (those who are employed for a limited period of time).
For most plans, eligibility is the date of hire unless noted otherwise.
If your spouse/domestic partner has access to their employer’s health plan, he/she is not eligible for CSHL’s health plan.
medical benefits Health/Dental/Vision
Choice Plan
CSHL offers 2 health plans through United Healthcare, Choice and Choice Plus.
In Network Benefits Only
Office Visit Copay – Primary Care Physician (PCP): $20
Office Visit Copay – Specialist: $35
Urgent Care Facility Copay: $50
Annual Deductible: $500/$1,000 for all services not requiring a copayment and are hospital based
Coinsurance: Laboratory and Radiology Services: 5% coinsurance for services provided at a free-standing facility (deductible does not apply); 20% coinsurance after deductible for outpatient services performed in a hospital-based setting; Outpatient Surgery: 5% coinsurance for services provided at a free-standing facility (deductible does not apply); 5% coinsurance after a $250 deductible per occurrence for outpatient services performed in a hospital-based setting
Out of Pocket Maximum: $3,500/$7,000
Inpatient Hospital Coinsurance: 5% coinsurance – deductible does not apply
Emergency Room Copay: $200
Prescription Copay (Retail – 31 Day Supply): $10/$35/$55
Prescription Copay (Mail Order – 90 day Supply): $20/$70/$110
Choice Plus Plan
CSHL offers 2 health plans through United Healthcare, Choice and Choice Plus.
In Network Benefits
Office Visit Copay: $40
Urgent Care Facility Copay: $50
Annual Deductible: $600/$1,300 for all services not requiring a copayment
Coinsurance: 30% after deductible is met
Out of Pocket Maximum: $3,500/$7,000
Inpatient Hospital Copay: $1,000
Emergency Room Copay: $200
Prescription Copay (Retail – 31 Day Supply): $10/$35/$55
Prescription Copay (Mail Order – 90 day Supply): $20/$70/$110
Out of Network Benefits
Annual Deductible: $1,000/$2,400
Coinsurance: 30% after deductible is met
Out of Pocket Maximum: $5,000/$10,000
Prescription Copay (Retail – 31 Day Supply): $10/$35/$55
Prescription Copay (Mail Order – 90 day Supply): Not covered
Cigna—Dental Carrier
A choice between a Dental HMO (DHMO) or Dental PPO (DPPO) plan. Both plans cover similar services however there are two primary differences.
- DPPO members can use both participating and non-participating dentists, while DHMO members can only use participating DHMO dentists and must select a Primary Dentist prior to receiving services.
- DPPO members pay coinsurance for services, up to a calendar year maximum, while DHMO members pay fees based on a schedule of services and have unlimited benefits during a calendar year.
EyeMed—Vision Carrier
Provides one annual routine eye exam ($10 copay) for all benefits eligible employees. Employee can also purchase additional coverage for eyeglasses and contact lenses.
income protection benefits Income Protection
Short Term Disability Salary Continuation
The Short Term Disability (STD) Salary Continuation plan is provided at no cost to benefit eligible employees, excluding Graduate Students. If you are absent from work for more than five consecutive workdays due to illness or injury that happens on or off the job, you may be entitled to STD Salary Continuation benefits. The benefits are based on your status, benefits-eligible service, and approval by our disability carrier or workers’ compensation carrier.
Long Term Disability
60% of your monthly salary will be paid to you after 6 months of continuous absence due to illness or injury (excluding Graduate Students). You have the option to have CSHL pay for your LTD premiums, and your monthly benefit will be taxed, or you can elect to pay for your own LTD premiums through post-tax payroll deductions, and your monthly benefit will not be subject to taxes.
insurance benefits Life Insurance and Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D)
Life Insurance and AD&D for Faculty and Administration
Full time benefits eligible employees – 2 times annual salary
(maximum $1,000,000) at no cost to employee
Part time benefits eligible employees – 1 times annual salary
at no cost to employee
Optional Coverage available at own expense
Life Insurance and AD&D for Post Doctoral Fellows
1 times annual salary at no cost.
If you are paid in whole or in part by a grant that is paid directly to you, you will be provided with $50,000 coverage.
Optional Coverage available at own expense
retirement benefits Retirement Plans
401(a) Retirement Plan
Must be at least 21 years of age and have worked a minimum of 1,000 hours for two consecutive years. CSHL currently contributes the equivalent of 7.3% of your annual salary up to the social security taxable wage base and a 13% contribution on any compensation earned after compensation equal to the social security taxable wage base has been earned up to the limitation on annual additions.
For Postdoctoral Fellows, the Laboratory contributes the equivalent of 1% of your annual salary.
403(b) Plan
You may contribute to the 403(b) Plan with pre-tax contributions, Roth Contributions or a combination of both. Pre-tax contributions are not taxed when you contribute to the Plan but those contributions, and any related earnings, are taxable upon withdrawal.
Roth Contributions, on the other hand, are made with after-tax dollars so they are not taxed when you withdraw them from the Plan. Earnings on Roth contributions are also not taxed when they are withdrawn from the plan provided your withdrawal is a qualified distribution (as long as it has been five tax years since your first Roth 403(b) contribution and after you are age 59½ or on account of you being disabled, or to your beneficiary after your death).
The 2025 IRS limit for the 403(b) Plan is $23,500, and the additional catch-up contribution for employees aged 50 and over is $7,500. There is a separate super catch-up limit of $11,250 for employees aged 60 to 63 as of December 31st, for a total contribution up to $34,750. Once employees turn 64, they revert back to the standard 50+ catch-up limit. The IRS contribution limits are a cumulative maximum that applies to all employer-sponsored plans (e.g., 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), etc.) to which you contributed in 2025. It should also be noted that the limit applies to both pre-tax and Roth contributions.
Must have a valid social security number in order to participate in the CSHL 403(b) Plan.
pre-tax benefits Pre-tax Benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts
The plan helps you save money by allowing you to set aside pre-tax income to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses up to $3,300 per year, or on your dependent care expenses up to $5,000 per year.
TransitChek Program
TransitChek is a program that allows employees to pay for New York Metro-area commuting costs using pre-tax dollars. You may set aside up to $325 per month to purchase TransitChek cards, or MetroCards for use on the LIRR, NYC subway and bus system, PATH, MetroNorth, NJ Transit and more.
wellness benefits Wellness Benefits
SightMD Center for Health & Wellness
On-site health facility operated and managed by Northwell Health. All benefits-eligible employees, graduate students, and covered spouses can obtain services free of charge. Services available are:
- Blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol screenings
- Treatment of minor injuries and illnesses
- Preventative care services and referrals
- Ongoing wellness programs
- On site counseling
Optum EAP
Information and resources, available 7 days a week/24 hours per day that can help you and your family identify and resolve problems affecting emotional and physical health.
MSK Direct
MSK Direct is a program that offers guided access to exceptional cancer treatment for all our employees and their family members. The MSK Direct team includes experienced nurses, social workers, and Care Advisors who promptly connect patients with cancer specialists at MSK—one of the top hospitals for cancer care in the country—while providing practical and emotional support along the way.
Hinge Health
Hinge Health offers employees and dependents 18 and older enrolled in one of our United Healthcare plans free access to their full suite of coach-guided, digital programs that addresses neck, shoulder, back, knee, feet, ankle, and hip pain, as well as other areas of concern.
One Pass Select
One Pass Select is a complete subscription-based fitness and well-being network that supports a healthier lifestyle and is available to you and your eligible dependents (18+) enrolled in a CSHL United Healthcare medical plan.
Real Appeal
A free weight loss and healthy living program is available to benefit eligible employees, spouses, and dependents 18 and older enrolled in our United Healthcare plan with a body mass index (BMI) of 23 or higher.
Maven Maternity Support Program
United Healthcare sponsors a program for expectant mothers enrolled in our UHC medical plan to assist you through your pregnancy. If you join the program within your first trimester and complete the program, CSHL will reimburse you 5% up to a maximum of $500 towards your in-patient hospital cost when you submit the required documentation within 6-months of delivery.
Fitness Center
Free access to Onsite Fitness Centers are located on our Main Campus and Woodbury Genome Center. Fitness Centers are available to employees and their immediate family members.
Child Care
Located on our main campus is the Mary D. Lindsay Child Care Center operated by Bright Horizons, a leading provider of employer-sponsored child care services. The Center is open from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. The Center is only open to children of CSHL employees and they can accept children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age.
Wellbeats
All benefits-eligible employees and graduate students have free access to Wellbeats, an on-demand fitness wellbeing program to inspire you to stay healthy and feel better than ever.
optional employee paid benefits Optional Employee Paid Benefits
Hospital Indemnity Plan
You can’t always predict a hospital stay, but you can plan for it. Whether an unexpected accident or a planned event, like childbirth, requires you to stay in the hospital for an extended period – you don’t have to face it without a financial safety net. Health insurance will cover your medical costs. But these hospital indemnity benefits help provide an additional layer of financial protection with a cash benefit in the event of a hospital stay. You can use the cash for anything, including medical deductibles, housing, in-home help, or groceries.
Identity Theft Protection
Your safety and security are important, including protecting your personal, financial, and health information. That’s why we’re pleased to offer an identity theft protection plan—powered by the top-ranked provider in the industry, IdentityForce.
MetLife Legal Plan
The MetLife Legal Plan provides you with easy access to a network of more than 9,300 carefully selected, experienced attorneys nationwide who can provide you with a wide range of services. You have unlimited access to our attorneys for all legal matters covered under the plan. For a monthly premium conveniently paid through payroll deduction, an expert is on your side as long as you need them.
The Hartford Accident Insurance
Provides cash benefit(s) to you for a covered injury and related services, which are independent from any claims or coverage provided by your medical insurance.
NYS College Savings Program
Set up Tuition Savings Account for future college students. Make contributions via payroll deduction.
Nationwide Pet Insurance
Nationwide pet insurance helps you cover veterinary expenses so you can provide your pets with the best care possible without worrying about the cost. Simply pay for coverage through a convenient after-tax payroll deduction.
work life balance benefits Work-Life Balance Benefits
Holiday/Vacation/Sick/Personal Time
The Laboratory offers generous time-off including holiday, vacation, sick and personal time. Eligibility and accruals subject to policy guidelines.