Email and fax are being eliminated for security reasons.
Cybersecurity threats continue to increase and become more sophisticated. To enhance our security measures and keep your personal information safe, we need to make a couple of changes to how you communicate with us.
Effective June 1, 2023, email and fax will be fully replaced by secure messaging and upload. This means email and fax will no longer be available.
Secure messaging is similar to email, except all messages and replies stay better protected within our system’s firewalls. All you have to do is (1) log in, (2) click the envelope icon 
, (3) choose your topic, and (4) type your message or question. You can even include attachments. Questions sent by secure messaging usually receive a response within one business day—just like email.
We understand secure messaging may feel somewhat awkward at first. Please know that we’re doing our best to protect your privacy and make things as easy as possible for you!
You don’t need Form 1095-B to file your taxes, but you should keep it on file.
If your HRA qualified as “minimum essential” coverage during any month in 2022, you can log in and print your Form 1095-B after January 15, 2023. Form 1095-B is informational only—just keep it with your tax documents. You don’t need to file it with your individual return. If you need a paper copy, give us a call after January 15, 2023 at 1-888-828-4953.
Your HRA doesn’t require any tax reporting…in most cases.
HRAs are generally tax-exempt and don’t require any tax reporting. However, if you’re the divorced spouse or non-dependent survivor of an HRA participant, you must report the value of your HRA coverage as taxable income. In these cases, be watching for a tax statement and instructions from us in the mail.
Do we have your separation date on file?
Make sure we have your separation date on file. Medicare should pay before (be primary to) your HRA if you’re no longer working for the employer who set up your HRA. If we don’t have your separation date, Medicare could take your HRA funds to cover prior Medicare claims.
Log in. If we have your separation date on file, it will be displayed on your landing (home) page inside the box with your account balance. If you don’t see your separation date, click the envelope icon at the top right of your screen to send it to us using our Secure Messaging Center. You can also reach us at 1-888-828-4953.
Is your HRA fully claims eligible? You might need to elect “limited HRA coverage.”
Electing limited HRA coverage can help avoid frustrating hassles down the road. If your HRA is fully claims eligible and you’re in any of the situations listed below, you might want to consider limiting your HRA coverage.
- Medicare Coordination. You’re still employed by the employer who set up your HRA and you, your spouse, or a dependent have Medicare coverage, and you don’t want to be forced to use up your HRA funds before Medicare will pay claims.
- HSA Eligibility. You, your spouse, or a dependent are making or receiving contributions to a health savings account (HSA). To be eligible for HSA contributions, IRS rules require that you have no other first-dollar coverage. This includes full HRA coverage.
- Premium Tax Credit Eligibility. You, your spouse, or a dependent are purchasing insurance through a marketplace exchange and are taking the Premium Tax Credit (subsidy).
You can avoid potential problems by electing limited HRA coverage for yourself, your spouse, and/or a dependent as needed. Just complete and submit a Limited HRA Coverage Election form. The form, which contains more details, is available online. Log in and click Resources.
Read this reminder if you have a post-separation (retiree-only) HRA and you’ve been rehired.
Does your HRA provide full coverage only after you have separated from service or retired? If so, and you leave employment and are later rehired by the employer who set up your HRA, your HRA coverage will once again be limited to dental, vision, and qualified long-term care expenses and premiums during your period of re-employment. You may still file claims for all qualified medical expenses incurred prior to re-employment while your HRA was fully claims eligible. Your HRA may once again provide full coverage after your re-employment ends.
Review your investment allocation annually.
Reviewing your investment allocation at least annually is a good habit. Making sure you’re in the right pre-mixed portfolio or have selected the right mix of individual funds can help reduce risk and increase potential returns over time.
Read our Choosing Your Investment Allocation brochure to learn more. To get a copy, log in and click Resources. The VEBA Board of Trustees and its agents do not give investment advice.
Videos are available online.
Go to home page and click the Videos button. You’ll find several videos that will help you understand and get the most out of your VEBA Plan benefit. The library includes How to File a Claim, Supporting Documentation for Claims, Using Your Benefits Card, How to Set Up an Automatic Premium Reimbursement, and How Your HRA Coordinates with Other Benefits. More will be added soon.
A Summary of Benefits and Coverage is included with your statement.
We’re required by federal law to provide you with a Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) each year. Keep in mind that the VEBA Plan is a health plan, but it is not insurance. Much of the information and many of the defined terms in the SBC that apply to insurance coverage don’t directly apply to your HRA coverage under the VEBA Plan. Your best HRA information resource is the Plan Summary. To get a copy, log in and click Resources.
You can keep filing claims while on military leave.
You can keep filing claims if you’re on military leave governed by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) and have a claims-eligible HRA. Also, you can make voluntary after-tax contributions to your HRA under COBRA if your employer has stopped making HRA contributions due to your military leave. Certain restrictions may apply.