When can I start using my HRA?

Depending on your HRA plan design, you can use your money right away or save it up for later, such as during retirement. You can file claims at any time for expenses incurred on or after your claims eligibility date. Your claims eligibility date is: (1) the date specified by your employer upon enrollment; (2) the date upon which we have received both your enrollment and a contribution from your employer; or (3) the date you separate from service or retire. Depending on your plan design, claims eligibility may be limited while you’re still working.

Who is eligible for benefits?

Your HRA covers you, your spouse, and dependents. This includes your young-adult children through the end of the calendar year in which they turn age 26.

Read our Definition of Dependent handout for more details. To get a copy, log in and click Resources, or contact our Customer Care Center.

Do I have to use my HRA funds right away?

No, your unused HRA balance carries over from year to year. There are no “use-or-lose” rules or annual carryover limits.

How can I check my HRA balance and account information?

Just log in online or through our mobile app, HRAgo®. Your available account balance and other information will be displayed or easily accessible from the landing page.

What happens if I change employers, go on a leave of absence, or retire?

Your HRA is yours to keep until funds are exhausted, subject to your employer’s vesting requirements, if any.

What happens if I pass away?

If funds remain after all outstanding claims have been reimbursed, your HRA will be transferred to your surviving spouse. All of your dependents will remain covered until they no longer qualify as a dependent. After your surviving spouse passes away, or if you have no spouse, any remaining HRA funds may be transferred equally (and only once) to your survivors in the following order of priority:  (1) dependents and non-dependent (adult) children; (2) designated beneficiary(ies); or (3) other survivor(s) as follows: state-registered non-dependent domestic partner, grandchildren, siblings, parents, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, or cousins.

For more details, read our What Happens if I Pass Away? handout.

What’s the difference between the Standard and Post-separation HRA Plan designs?

The main difference has to do with claims eligibility. Under the Standard HRA Plan, you can file claims at any time (subject to limitations, if any, set by your employer). Under the Post-separation HRA Plan, you must first separate from service or retire from your employer before becoming fully claims eligible. All other terms and conditions are the same.

How do I know which Plan I’m in?

After logging in online, the Plan you’re in (Standard HRA or Post-separation HRA) will be listed directly under your account number on the landing page (dashboard).

What are the fees?

Keep in mind this is a group health plan, not a retirement plan. Plan administrative expenses include claims processing, customer service, account administration, printing, postage, legal, consulting, local servicing, auditing, etc. To cover these costs, a flat monthly fee and an annualized asset-based fee are charged to participant accounts. The monthly fee is $1.50 (if claims-eligible) or $0.75 (if not claims-eligible). This fee is charged only to your first account (if you have more than one), and it is waived if your account balance(s) total more than $5,000. The annualized asset-based fee averages around 1%. A .25% discount applies to any portion of your account balance(s) in excess of $10,000. Participant account values change daily based on activity, which includes investment earnings/losses, contribution and claims activity, and assessment of the asset-based fee.

To the extent permitted or required by law, certain fees, assessments, or other amounts payable to the federal government, including the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee, may also be deducted from participant accounts. Investment fund operating expenses vary by fund. You can view these fees on our quarterly Investment Fund Overview.