Backup Care is available to eligible Harvard University employees. Before you can access Backup Care through Wellthy, you will need to complete Harvard's waiver which can be found here.

After you’ve completed the waiver, it will be sent to Wellthy within 24 hours. You’ll then create your account at wellthy.com/member/hu and confirm your eligibility as a Harvard University employee by providing your HU ID. From there, you can access Wellthy anytime at wellthy.com/member/hu.

‍Please note that if you have not completed the waiver you will receive an error that your eligibility cannot be verified. You must complete the waiver before creating an account with Wellthy. If you have not yet signed the waiver and you have an urgent care need, please contact Harvard’s Office of Work/Life at worklife@harvard.edu who can help you access your Wellthy benefit.

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As a benefits-eligible Harvard University employee, you can access up to 20 backup care days for child or adult loved ones per fiscal year, which runs July 1st through June 30th each year. Harvard subsidizes the cost of backup care based on the provider network. You are responsible for a copayment based on your salary and any costs that exceed the subsidized amount provided by Harvard.

Yes! Backup Care Specialists are here to help you find and secure care when you need care. They can also proactively help you build a list of potential options for when the time comes — this is called building your Backup Care Circle. Backup Care Specialists are available 24 hours, 7 days/week. 

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Yes, backup care helps you cover unexpected gaps in your regular care, allowing you to come to work without needing to use your sick leave or vacation time.

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Backup care helps you cover unexpected gaps in your regular care, allowing you to come to work without needing to use your sick leave or vacation time. Wellthy provides various flexible options for Backup Care so that you can choose the option that makes the most sense for your family.

Wellthy’s Care Network of backup care options are vetted providers that go through a rigorous screening process.

• In-Center Care: Verification of state and federal licensing, online reviews across multiple platforms and direct contact with centers
• Community-Based Programs: Online review assessment, licensing verification where applicable, and direct contact with programs.
• In-Home Providers: Review of past experience and comprehensive background checks — criminal, sex offender, SSN trace, global watchlist.

If employees use a caregiver or center from their personal network, they are fully responsible for all vetting and verifying.

*Please note that Wellthy does not directly employ or oversee any provider in the Care Network or within an individual’s personal network. Wellthy does not take responsibility for the final selection, whether they are sourced by Wellthy, the family, or through other means.

The set reimbursement rate of backup care based on the provider network:

• Wellthy’s Care Network: Up to $225 per day
• Harvard’s Network: Up to $200 per day
• Personal Network: Up to $175 per day (a maximum of 3 days per fiscal year can be booked using your Personal Network)

You are responsible for a copayment per backup care day. Additionally, if the cost of care exceeds the set reimbursement rate which includes your copay, you are responsible for the overage. You can use a personal credit or debit card for those costs.

Copayment Requirements:

• Employees earning less than $110,000/year: $50 per day
• Employees earning $110,000/year or more: $100 per day

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Our digital platform is available 24 hours, 7 days/week

For Backup Care requests, Backup Care Specialists are available 24 hours, 7 days/week via messaging on our platform or via phone at (518) 243-8025.

‍For technical support, our Member Support team is available Monday-Friday 8am-10pm ET via phone (518-243-8025) or via email (support@wellthy.com)