Notice to current retirees and those planning to retire in the next 3 – 6 months
Retiree health benefits will no longer be provided through the Fund beginning January 1, 2024. Instead, the Fund will provide assistance to eligible retirees and their spouses, and eligible surviving spouses in choosing individual coverage through Via Benefits. This change applies to all the Fund’s eligible retirees and their spouses, and eligible surviving spouses regardless of their current medical plan election. All claims incurred for medical and pharmacy charges covered by the Fund prior to January 1, 2024 will be paid by the Fund. If you need assistance purchasing your new coverage or regarding your eligibility for the HRA, contact the numbers below.
Via Benefits Enrollment Assistance & HRA Questions
| Pre-65 Non-Medicare | Medicare age (65 and up) |
|---|---|
| Phone lines are open from Monday-Friday: 4am – 3pm AKDT | |
| (800) 849-4163 www.marketplace.viabenefits.com/Alaska |
(800) 849-4158 www.my.viabenefits.com/Alaska |
Eligibility
Eligible retirees who satisfy the service and age requirements outlined in the Retiree Health Reimbursement Account Summary Plan Description (Retiree HRA SPD) are eligible to purchase individual health coverage through Via Benefits, and may also be eligible to participate in the Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement Plan.
Your eligibility for the HRA plan will be determined at the time of your retirement. If you are considering retirement, contact the Administrative Office to discuss your eligibility and retiree coverage options.
You should also contact the Administrative Office when:
- You want to defer enrollment in the plan
- You have a loss of other coverage
- You become Medicare eligible (turn 65)
- You return to active employment after retirement
Contact the Administrative Office by phone at (800) 276-1246 or (907) 276-1246. You can also email: aetfhw@aetf.com
Notifying the Administrative Office
When you are ready to retire, contact the Administrative Office. To ensure timely commencement of benefits, you should do so no fewer than three months prior to your intended retirement date. You can elect to begin your Retiree HRA Plan participation immediately or defer your commencement to a later date. They will connect you with Via Benefits who will assist you in purchasing your individual medical plan, and help you determine if you are eligible to participate in the Fund’s Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan.
Contact the Administrative Office by phone at (800) 276-1246 or (907) 276-1246. You can also email: aetfhw@aetf.com
Via Benefits Marketplace
The Fund has contracted with Via Benefits to offer retirees individual insurance options from private carriers and the state and federal marketplaces, as well as administer the Fund’s new Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan.
Why Via Benefits?
Via Benefits has helped over two million people find new coverage in the individual health insurance plan marketplace. Operating a health insurance marketplace, Via Benefits offers insurance options from private carriers and the state and federal marketplaces. Via Benefits helps you narrow down your choices and see if you can lower your costs.
Working with Via Benefits
Via Benefits offers health insurance benefit advice and guidance throughout all the stages of your retirement. You can access the Via Benefits insurance marketplace by going online, speaking one-on-one with the US-based Via Benefits Care Team, or do a little bit of both.
Before and during enrollment Via Benefits will:
- Work with you to understand your healthcare and budgetary needs to evaluate the options that work for you
- Enroll you in your new individual medical coverage
- Provide guidance about how you can lower your costs – whether to take the HRA if you are eligible or, if eligible, the federal subsidy
- Help you to opt in to the HRA if you are eligible, should you choose to accept it
Throughout the year Via Benefits
- Administers your HRA to reimburse you for eligible medical expenses
- Supports you with any insurance carrier issues you may have
- Provides valuable resources through The Groove online magazine
When you become Medicare-eligible Via Benefits
- Guides you through transitioning from your Pre-Medicare plan to a new Medicare supplement plan
- Continues to administer your HRA
Purchasing Retiree Coverage through Via Benefits
When you retire, the Administrative Office will notify Via Benefits about whether you are eligible for the Retiree HRA Plan. You will receive materials in the mail from Via Benefits, and they will contact you by phone to set up a pre-enrollment consultation.
You can also contact Via Benefits to learn more about your options. Their phone lines are open from Monday-Friday: 4am – 3pm AKDT.
Via Benefits Enrollment Assistance
| Pre-65 Non-Medicare | Medicare age (65 and up) |
|---|---|
| (800) 849-4163 www.marketplace.viabenefits.com/Alaska |
(800) 849-4158 www.my.viabenefits.com/Alaska |
Note: If you have questions about your eligibility for Medicare Part A or Part B, or if you want to apply for Medicare, please call Social Security at (800) 772-1213 (toll-free) or (800) 325-0778 (TTY); or visit or call your local Social Security office.
The Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan
How the Retiree HRA Plan Works
A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is a reimbursement account the Fund establishes on your behalf, if you are eligible. Each year, the Fund credits a specific dollar amount to your HRA to help cover the cost of eligible health care expenses for you and your eligible dependents. You can use the HRA for any eligible health costs you and your eligible dependents incur that are not otherwise reimbursable by other medical coverage. These expenses must be incurred while the Plan remains in effect, you are eligible, qualified, and participate in the Retiree HRA Plan.
Eligibility
Employees who retire from the Fund’s Plan for active members and their spouses are eligible to participate in the Retiree HRA Plan if they have satisfied the requirements outlined in the Retiree Health Reimbursement Account Summary Plan Description (Retiree HRA SPD).
Dependents
If you are under age 65 and not yet Medicare-eligible, you may choose a plan that provides coverage for your dependents. Your dependent’s eligibility will be determined by the plan you choose for coverage.
If you are Medicare-eligible, your dependents cannot participate in a plan purchased on the Via Exchange with your HRA. If your spouse is Medicare-eligible, they may choose their own plan using funds in your HRA. (Alternatively, if they are under age 65 and not yet Medicare-eligible, your spouse may elect an individual plan in Via Benefits’ non-Medicare marketplace.)
The Fund makes separate Contributions for you and your spouse but does not make any contribution on your dependents other than your spouse. See the Eligibility section of the Retiree Health Reimbursement Account Summary Plan Description (Retiree HRA SPD) for complete details.
Enrollment
Your first opportunity to enroll in the Retiree HRA Plan is when you retire if you meet the Plan’s eligibility requirements. You may enroll later if you still meet the plan’s eligibility requirements. If you choose to defer enrollment in the Retiree HRA Plan you may only enroll in the future if you elected to defer coverage while you were eligible.
See the Enrollment section of the Retiree Health Reimbursement Account Summary Plan Description (Retiree HRA SPD) for complete details.
Contributions
Each year, the Board of Trustees will determine the amount to be contributed to the HRA of eligible retirees and their dependents. One HRA will be established for you and your spouse. Contributions will be credited each calendar quarter to your HRA.
- At any time, the participant may receive reimbursement for eligible health care expenses up to the full amount in his or her HRA.
- Unused contributions remaining in your HRA for the year will be available to reimburse eligible health care expenses incurred during the plan year until June 30 of the following year. Following that, those unused contributions will be forfeited.
- Remaining HRA contributions can only be distributed through reimbursement of actual eligible health care expenses incurred while you are eligible. You may opt out of future contributions to the HRA at least annually.
See the Contributions section of the Retiree Health Reimbursement Account Summary Plan Description (Retiree HRA SPD) for complete details.
Eligible Expenses
Health care expenses include the premiums you pay for insurance and certain out of pocket expenses.
- Premium expenses for: medical, prescription drug, and Medicare Part B incurred while you are eligible for your funding program can be submitted for reimbursement.
- Out of Pocket expenses for: Health care, prescription and over-the-counter drugs and supplies incurred while you are eligible for your funding program can be submitted for reimbursement.
See the Eligible Expenses section of the Retiree Health Reimbursement Account Summary Plan Description (Retiree HRA SPD) for examples of eligible expenses.
If you have questions about whether an expense is eligible, contact Via Benefits. Their phone lines are open from Monday-Friday: 4am – 3pm AKDT.
| Pre-65 Non-Medicare | Medicare age (65 and up) |
|---|---|
| (800) 849-4163 www.marketplace.viabenefits.com/Alaska |
(800) 849-4158 www.my.viabenefits.com/Alaska |
Another resource that may be helpful is IRS publication 502 – Publication 502, that explains the itemized deduction for medical and dental expenses that you claim on Schedule A (Form 1040).
How to Use the HRA
When you pay for an eligible health care expense, you want to put your HRA to work right away. Via Benefits gives you several options to use your money the way you choose.
Using Your Smartphone or Mobile Device
Using the Via Benefits mobile app, you can submit claims, upload, and submit receipts, and check your account balance any time.
To use the Via Benefits mobile app:
- Visit the App Store or Google Play Store to download the Via Benefits Accounts mobile app.
- Log in to your account. If you normally access the website through the Fund (using single sign-on), you’ll need to create a login ID and password to use the mobile app.
- Check your balance, request reimbursement, upload receipts and check claim status, among other activities. All activities are easily accessible from the app home screen.
Using the Via Benefits Website
Using the Via Benefits website means you will never need to fill out a paper claim form again. It’s quick, easy, secure, and available 24/7/365.
Pre-65 Non-Medicare: www.marketplace.viabenefits.com/Alaska
Medicare age (65 and up): www.my.viabenefits.com/Alaska
Once you’ve logged in:
- You’ll be asked to provide details about the claim, including date of service, reimbursement/payment amount, and provider. You’ll also choose whether to reimburse yourself or pay the provider and you’ll upload/attach your receipt or EOB.
See the How to Use the HRA section of the Retiree Health Reimbursement Account Summary Plan Description (Retiree HRA SPD) for how to submit paper claims, and what information to include with your claim.
Continuation Coverage
COBRA continuation coverage is a continuation of Retiree HRA Plan coverage when you would otherwise lose such coverage because of a life event known as a “qualifying event.” Specific qualifying events are listed in the Retiree HRA SPD. After a qualifying event, COBRA continuation coverage must be offered to each person who is a “qualified beneficiary.” You and your covered spouse could become qualified beneficiaries if covered under the Plan at the time of a qualifying event, and such coverage is lost because of the qualifying event. Under the Plan, qualified beneficiaries must pay for the COBRA continuation coverage they elect, as described in the “Paying for COBRA Continuation Coverage” section in the Retiree HRA SPD.
See the Retiree Health Reimbursement Account Summary Plan Description (Retiree HRA SPD) for full details.
Forms & Documents
Find forms and documents in one convenient document library. Visit the Forms & Documents page to find forms, notices, and up-to-date documents regarding your benefits.
Eligibility, benefit, or other questions?
Call (907) 276-1246 or email the Admin Office.
