Retiree Benefits

Employers are no longer required to distribute Form 1095-C to covered individual unless a form is requested.

Physical copies of form 1095-C for the 2025 tax year will be made available upon request. To request a physical copy, please submit the request form to [email protected] or mail to PO Box 90775, Henrico, VA 23273-0775, addressed to the attention of the HR Benefits Office for processing. Forms will be provided within 15 business days upon receipt of the request. If you have any questions, please contact the Benefits Office at [email protected] or 804-501-7371.

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Dental
Health Care
Survivor Benefits

The Retiree Digest

These newsletters are archived for historical purposes.

Retirement Planning

If you are thinking about retirement, please contact the Benefits Division of HR at least 60 days prior and visit the Retirement Planning (formerly When I Retire) page for more information.

Update Your Contact Information or Retiree Benefits

  • Please make the Benefits division has your up-to-date personal information, including your mailing address and phone number. To verify or change this information, please email the HR Benefits Division. or call 804-501-7371
  • Retirees who experience a mid-year qualifying event are eligible to make changes to their health and dental benefits within 60-days from the event date.​
  • Retirees have their own annual Open Enrollment period in November to make changes to their Anthem and Delta Dental plans.​
  • The Medicare Open Enrollment period is from October 15 – December 7 of each year to make changes to supplemental coverage.​

Medical Benefits

Rates and Forms

Medical Benefits – Anthem

Prescription Drug Benefits- Anthem

Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBCs) – a format required by health reform to help you compare plan benefits:

HK HDHP Health Savings Account (HSA)

Vision

Find a Doctor

Plan Notices and Plan Document

Anthem Machine Readable Files

Transparency in Coverage (TIC) regulations require health insurers and group health plans to create machine readable files (MRFs) that contain the negotiated rates for in-network providers and allowed amounts derived from historical claims for out-of-network providers and make those files publicly available. A machine-readable file is a digital representation of data or information in a file that can be imported or read by a computer system for further processing without human intervention.

To access Henrico County Anthem MRFs, enter EIN 54-6001344.

Programs & Additional Resources

Medicare eligible retirees will need to enroll for health coverage through the County sponsored enrollment service, Via Benefits (formerly OneExchange) to continue to receive health care coverage through the County. Via Benefits is an experienced, national leader in helping retirees to select and enroll in individual health care plans.

Via Benefits makes enrolling easy for you.

Through Via Benefits, trained and licensed benefit advisors are available to help you and your dependent(s) enroll. You also have access to resources, tools, and support to learn about the Individual Medicare Marketplace plans available in your area. The advisors will work with you to compare plan choices and choose the coverage that best meets your needs and budget.

The Henrico County Benefits Office will notify retirees who are aging into Medicare three (3) months prior to your 65th birthday to provide you with information regarding your Medicare enrollment. Once your information has been received by Via Benefits, they will send information about the enrollment process.

You can speed up the reimbursement process by taking advantage of two features Via Benefits* offers for your funding account.

Automatic Premium Reimbursement

Turning on our Automatic Premium Reimbursement feature enables you to be reimbursed for your premium payments without submitting a monthly reimbursement request. Most of the insurance plans offered through Via Benefits have the Automatic Premium Reimbursement feature. This means that as long as you make your premium payments and have funds available in your funding account, Via Benefits will reimburse you. If you have direct deposit, the money will show up in your account.

Direct Deposit

Direct deposit is a convenient feature that allows Via Benefits* to deposit reimbursements from your funding account into a checking or savings account, rather than mailing you a paper check. You can enroll in direct deposit or update your banking information by fax, or by mail, but the fastest way is to activate this feature online.

To take advantage of direct deposit, provide Via Benefits with the following information for your checking account or savings account:

  • Checking account: Checking account number and routing number (as found at the bottom of your checks).
  • Savings account: Savings account number and routing number (contact your bank for this information).

How to Enroll in Direct Deposit

Enrolling in direct deposit online is the most convenient and secure way to provide us with the necessary information. You can enroll through your online Via Benefits account.

You can also fax or mail us a completed form. If you need assistance with getting a form, or have any questions, please call Via Benefits.

*Via Benefits funding accounts are administered by Extend Health, LLC.

  1. Why is the County sponsoring retiree coverage through the individual market for Medicare eligible retirees?
    • We are seeing changes in the health care industry and uncertainties about federal subsidies. Henrico County’s goal is to offer valuable health coverage in a way that meets the varied needs of our Medicare eligible retirees. In today’s health care market, the best federal subsidies are in the individual market which offers a broad range of plans to meet different coverage needs and household budgets. We also know that comparing the numerous plans available, making an informed enrollment decision and completing the enrollment process can be a daunting experience. A dedicated and licensed Via Benefits benefit advisor will listen to your specific needs and preferences and will help you find the health coverage that works best for you. A Via Benefits benefit advisor will personally enroll you over the telephone for the coverage you select. Later, if you have claims or billing concerns, your Via Benefits benefit advisor will facilitate a resolution for you. You may also contact Via Benefits each fall during the Medicare Annual Enrollment period to evaluate new enrollment options for the upcoming year.
  2. Is Henrico County dropping Medicare eligible retirees?
    • No, Henrico County is providing a way for Medicare eligible retirees to enroll in an individual plan for health care coverage. To provide coverage in an individual plan that works best for each retiree’s health and budget needs, Henrico County has contracted with Via Benefits to personally assist each Medicare eligible retiree and Medicare eligible dependent with enrollment for health care coverage.
  3. I will become Medicare eligible prior to my spouse. My spouse is covered under the County’s pre-65 healthcare plan (currently Anthem). What will happen when he/she becomes Medicare eligible at age 65?
    • If you enroll in a plan through Via Benefits, your spouse’s pre-65 healthcare coverage will continue until he/she reaches age 65. Several months prior to his/her 65th birthday, Via Benefits will contact your spouse by phone and/or U.S. Mail with information about his/her upcoming opportunity to transition to coverage through Via Benefits.
  4. Are the individual plans available through Via Benefits part of the Affordable Care Act public health care exchange?
    • No. Via Benefits offers post-65 retirees enrollment in a broad range of health plans through their privately-operated exchange and has no affiliation with government-run exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act.
  5. Can I use the same doctors and hospitals?
    • Your Via Benefits benefit advisor will ask you about the doctors and hospitals that you want to utilize so that you may select from health care plans that offer the access that is important to you.
  6. Can I meet with someone to enroll in person?
    • No, Via Benefits handles enrollments over the phone.
  7. I am hearing impaired and have difficulty with phone calls. Can I enroll online or with a paper form?
    • Via Benefits does offer online enrollment from a variety of carriers; however, the carrier best suited for you may NOT be available online. Paper applications are not accepted by Via Benefits due to the potential for errors in completion which could delay your coverage start date. TTY service is available.
  8. My daughter/son/friend helps me with my financial decisions and handling bills. May this person participate in the phone call with the Via Benefits benefit advisor when we discuss my plan options and enroll?
    • Yes! Please share your appointment time with the person(s) you would like to participate in your phone appointment. The Via Benefits benefit advisor can set up a conference call to include the person(s) you choose to participate. Remember, however, that you alone can complete your enrollment, unless the person participating with you during your calls to Via Benefits has a Power of Attorney (POA) for you.
  9. Who should I contact with questions about the Via Benefits enrollment process and coverage?
    • If you are enrolled in retiree coverage and are between age 64 and 65, or if you are soon retiring at age 65 or older, you may call the Via Benefits/Henrico County toll-free number at 1+844- 256-0914. A benefit advisor for Henrico County will answer your questions.
  10. How can I find the premium costs for plans available through Via Benefits?
    • Your Via Benefits benefit advisor will provide you with information about premium costs and out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums during your enrollment appointment. To avoid selecting a plan based solely on the premium costs, your Via Benefits benefit advisor will guide you in considering both premium costs and out-of-pocket costs to find the plan that will work best for you. You must have Medicare Parts A & B to enroll through Via Benefits.
    • You may also go to the Via Benefits website and click on the Shop and Compare link. Not all plans offered by Via Benefits are on the website.
  11. I am a pre-65 retiree and have a Henrico County Health Care Supplement. How will I receive this supplement after I enroll for coverage through Via Benefits?
    • You will pay your full premium directly to the insurance carrier(s) you select for coverage. Henrico will provide your monthly supplement through a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) with Via Benefits from which you can receive reimbursement for premiums paid up to the amount of your monthly supplement. Your Via Benefits benefit advisor will discuss this process with you in your phone appointment.
  12. Will unused funds in my Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) roll over to the next plan year?
    • No, unused funds will not rollover. You have until June 30th each year to submit reimbursement requests to Via Benefits for eligible expenses incurred in the prior plan year.
  13. I receive a Health Insurance Credit (HIC) from the Virginia Retirement System (VRS). How will this be affected?
    • Some retirees are eligible to receive this state health insurance credit based on the position they held (such as teachers, constitutional officers and their employees) and their length of service. VRS includes your HIC with your monthly benefit deposit as an eligible retiree. The amount of your HIC is based on your years of service and will not exceed the amount of your health and dental premiums. After selecting your plan through Via Benefits, complete VRS Form 45 (available from VRS at www.varetire.org or 1+888-827-3847) to notify VRS of your new coverage, premium and effective date. Submit the form directly to VRS in order to receive your proper HIC. You must notify VRS whenever there is a change in your coverage and premium.
    • General Government: HR Benefits: 804-501-7371
      Schools: HCPS Benefits Office: 804-652-3624
      Via Benefits: 1+844-256-0914

Dental Benefits

Henrico County has contracted with Delta Dental to provide dental coverage options to our employees and retirees. Explore the resources below and learn about the benefits available to you through our plan offerings, including 24/7 virtual visits and hearing savings via Amplifon Hearing Health Care.

Rates and Forms

Dental Resources

Plan Options

Delta Dental PPO plus Premier – High Plan Option
  • Offers diagnostic and preventive care services, which covers in-network oral exams and cleanings twice a year at 100%.
  • Basic dental care (fillings, periodontic care) is covered at 50% to 80% depending on which network is used.
  • Major dental care (crowns and bridges) is covered at 50%. This plan also covers orthodontics at 50% with a lifetime maximum of $1500.
  • The annual calendar year maximum is $1500 per patient, which does not include the cost of preventive care.
Delta Dental PPO plus Premier – Low Option Plan
  • Offers diagnostic and preventive care services, which covers in-network oral exams and cleanings at 75%.
  • Basic dental care (fillings, periodontic care) and major dental care (crowns and bridges) are covered at 50%.
  • This plan does not include orthodontics.
  • The annual calendar year maximum is $1500 per patient, which does not include the cost of preventive care.
Delta Dental PPO – EPO Plan Design

This plan provides many covered services at no cost and offers low copayments on certain procedures. A major benefit to this plan is that you know the cost of services before you receive treatment.

  • Offers diagnostic and preventive care services, which covers in-network oral exams and cleanings twice a year at 100%.
  • Basic and restorative dental care.
  • Orthodontics are covered under this plan.
  • There is a $3,000 calendar year maximum and no annual deductible with this plan.
  • To learn more, check out this article: Understanding PPO Dental Plan Benefits

  1. What does the HELPS (Healthcare Enhancement for Local Public Safety Officers) Act benefit provide?
    • The HELPS Act provision of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows eligible retired public safety officers to use up to $3,000 per year from their qualified government retirement plan, on a pre-tax basis, to pay for health insurance or long-term care insurance premiums.
    • For you to get the pretax benefit, the money can either be paid directly from your Empower account to a health insurance company or you have the option to receive the distribution as a payment to self and the check will be mailed to your address of record.
  2. Which retirees are eligible to take advantage of this benefit?
    • Those public safety officers who have separated from service as a public safety officer
      and have attained normal retirement age or who are separated due to a disability are
      eligible for the benefit.
  3. What happens if both my spouse and I are eligible retired public safety officers?
    • Both you and your spouse would be eligible to use up to $3,000 each on a pre-tax basis
      to purchase health insurance for a total family limit of $6,000. The premiums, however,
      would have to be directly deducted from both you and your spouse’s 457 deferred
      compensation account.
  4. Can I take a distribution of more than $3,000 from my account each year?
    • Yes. As permitted by the plan, you may take any amount out of your account as needed.
      However, you can only exclude $3,000 or the amount of your insurance premium —
      whichever is less. The amount excluded from your income can’t be used to claim a
      medical expense deduction.
  5. How do I arrange for direct payment of the monthly premiums on my health insurance?
    • All eligible public safety officers who elect this benefit will need to complete the
      “Eligible Retired Public Safety Officers Special Election Form & Distribution Request,”
      provided by HR.
  6. When will Empower send my first payment to my health insurance carrier?
    • Per policy, retirees have a 30-day waiting period from their retirement date before a
      distribution can be processed. The start date of periodic payments will be the first of the
      month following your retirement date.
    • For example, if your retirement is effective January 1st, the distribution to your
      health carrier will not be effective until February 1st.
  7. I am enrolled in retiree health care through Henrico County, where should payments be sent?
    • If you are enrolled in the County-sponsored healthcare plan through Anthem
      HealthKeepers, the “Insurance Carrier Information” is as follows:
      • Insurance Type: Medical
      • Company Name: Anthem HealthKeepers
      • Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5283
      • City/State/Zip Code: Carol Stream, IL 60197-5283
      • Group Number: Varies, retirees can reach out to HR for their group number.
  8. I do not wish for my full premium amount to be sent to my health carrier. Can I set-up partial
    payments?
    • Per IRS guidelines, the distribution amount cannot exceed $3,000 on an annual basis. You have the option to elect periodic monthly payments and can choose the amount that is withdrawn from your Empower account.
  9. If I opt-in the make partial payments, how do I pay the remaining balance?
    • Eligible retirees have two options to pay the remaining balance of their premium.
      Retirees can set up automatic bank draft authorization to draft the remaining balance. If
      retirees choose not to set up an automatic draft, they will be billed monthly for the
      remaining balance.
      • Note: The automatic withdrawal will debit the member’s bank account for the
        balance due on the 5th. If the Empower payment has not been received and
        posted to the account by the 2nd, it will deduct the whole premium on the 5th.
        If the payment is received after the 5th, it will be applied to the next month’s
        premium and only the balance due will be deducted. Anthem HealthKeepers
        does not adjust the automatic withdrawal.
  10. I am eligible for a retiree health care supplement. Will this be automatically reduced from my
    premium amount?
    • Yes. Retirees who are eligible for a health care supplement are assigned group numbers
      based on their supplement amount. The HR Representative you meet with to process
      your retirement will be able to provide your monthly premium amount, to include your
      supplement amount. If you have questions regarding your supplement amount, please
      refer to the “Retiree Health Care Supplement” handout.
      • Note: This supplement will be paid only to eligible retirees who remain in the
        Henrico County group plan. Retirees may NOT receive both the VRS health
        care credit and the Henrico County supplement.
  11. I have completed the form. What is next?
    • Eligible retirees must obtain the Plan Administrator signature. Our Plan Administrator is
      Lauren Law, Benefits Manager. Once signed by the Plan Administrator, the completed
      form will be sent to Empower by our office for processing.
  12. Will I be required to renew this IRS tax benefit each year?
    • No. Opting for this IRS tax benefit is an “evergreen election.” This means once you
      complete the Election Form, your election of this benefit remains in effect unless and
      until you cancel it in writing. You do not have to renew it each year. If you cancel your
      qualified plan(s), you also lose the benefit.
  13. Do I need to report this distribution when I file my taxes?
    • Yes. The plan must report this distribution as taxable income on IRS Form 1099-R. You
      may reduce your taxable income on your federal income tax return for the tax year in
      which the distribution was made.

  • After you retire, you can work for any employer that does not participate in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and continue to receive your retirement benefits.​
  • If you wish to return to work with the employer from which you retired, you must have a bona fide break in service of at least one full calendar month from your retirement date. This applies to part-time and temporary positions, including ENCORE positions with the County. ​
  • No pre-arrangements to return to work in any capacity should be made.​
  • If you return to work full-time with any VRS-covered employer, your retirement benefits will stop, and you will become an active member.​

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