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**Retiree Open Enrollment has been extended to Friday, November 17, 2023**
2024 Retiree Coverage
New Health Care Provider
Pre-65 Retirees: On January 1, 2024, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield will begin as our new healthcare plan provider for all active employees and pre-65 retirees. The new benefit plans and enhancements are focused on increasing overall well-being and affordability for APS retirees (under 65) and their families. In the event you are currently enrolled in a Cigna or Kaiser Permanente plan you will be required to select a CareFirst plan to continue coverage. MORE INFORMATION
65+ (Medicare) Retirees: On January 1, 2024, Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage and United Healthcare Medicare Advantage will continue to be options for retirees 65+ (Medicare). MORE INFORMATION
If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the HR Service Support Center, HR.Support@apsva.us or 703-228-2726.
Open Enrollment Options
Pre-65 Retiree Open Enrollment Information
Open Enrollment for APS Pre-65 Retirees is now open through November 17, 2023. During this time, retirees can elect to change their benefits between our available health plans or drop coverage. Please note, if you drop or cancel your coverage, you are not eligible to re-enroll later. If you previously dropped your dental coverage or previously dropped your medical coverage, you cannot re-enroll in the coverage during this Open Enrollment.
As a Pre-65 Retiree, you have the following options available to you for the 2024 Plan Year Open Enrollment.
Pre-65 Retiree Medical Coverage
- Option 1: Accept the default plan option of the CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Option 2: Change your plan option from the default CareFirst BlueChoice HMO to either (1) CareFirst BluePreferred PPO – Low Option or (2) CareFirst BluePreferred PPO – High Option
- Option 3: Decline medical retiree coverage
Pre-65 Retiree Dental Coverage
There are no plan changes to the dental plan for the 2024 Plan Year.
Open Enrollment Sessions
We understand electing a new plan option can be overwhelming and information is needed to make the best decision possible. To assist, we have included the dates and times of the remaining 2024 Open Enrollment sessions and fairs:
| October 25, 2023 Annual Benefits Fair | Syphax Education Center 2110 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA 22204 | 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
| November 1, 2023 | Wakefield High School 1325 Dinwiddie St. Arlington, VA 22206 | 2:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
| November 7, 2023 | Syphax Education Center 2110 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA 22204 | 2:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. |
65+ Retiree (Medicare) Open Enrollment Information
Open Enrollment for APS 65+ Retirees (Medicare) is now open through November 17, 2023. During this time, 65+ retirees can elect to change their benefits between our available health plans or drop coverage. Please note, if you drop or cancel your coverage, you are not eligible to re-enroll later. If you previously dropped your dental coverage or previously dropped your medical coverage, you cannot re-enroll in the coverage during this Open Enrollment.
65+ Retiree (Medicare) Medical Coverage
- Option 1: Keep your current plan option (either currently United Healthcare (UHC) or Kaiser Permanente (KP)
- Option 2: Change your plan option from UHC to KP
- Option 3: Change your plan option from KP to UHC
- Option 4: Decline medical retiree coverage
65+ Retiree Dental Coverage
There are no plan changes to the dental plan for the 2024 Plan Year.
Open Enrollment Sessions for Kaiser
We understand electing a new plan option can be overwhelming and information is needed to make the best decision possible. To find out more information about the 65+ Medicare Advantage plan offered through Kaiser Permanente, please attend one of our Information Sessions:
Monday, November 6, 2023
- 11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. (In-Person) 2110 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA (Third Floor, Conference Room 356)
- 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. (In-Person) 2110 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA (Third Floor, Conference Room 356)
- 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Virtual (Join the Information Session)
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
- 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Virtual (Join the Information Session)
Open Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions
1. I am currently enrolled in the Kaiser HMO plan and I am under 65. Can I remain on my current Kaiser HMO plan or will I have to change coverage for January 1, 2024?
No, you cannot remain on the Kaiser HMO plan effective January 1, 2024. All active APS employees and pre-65 retirees are required to select a CareFirst plan. Kaiser will no longer be available for pre-65 retirees effective January 1, 2024. It is important that you select a CareFirst plan during the Open Enrollment period. If you do not select a plan, you will automatically default to the CareFirst BlueChoice HMO.
2. I am currently enrolled in the Cigna PPO plan and I am under 65. Can I remain on my current Cigna plan or will I have to change coverage for January 1, 2024?
No, you cannot remain on the Cigna PPO plan effective January 1, 2024. All active APS employees and pre-65 retirees are required to select a CareFirst plan. Cigna will no longer be available for pre-65 retirees effective January 1, 2024. It is important that you select a CareFirst plan during the Open Enrollment period. If you do not select a plan, you will automatically default to the CareFirst BlueChoice HMO.
3. I am currently enrolled in the Kaiser Medicare Advantage Plan. Can I remain on my current plan or will I have to change coverage for January 1, 2024?
Yes, you can remain on the Kaiser Medicare Advantage Plan.
4. I am currently enrolled in the United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan. Can I remain on my current plan or will I have to change coverage for January 1, 2024?
Yes, you can remain on the United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan.
5. My spouse is under the age of 65 but I am currently 65 and enrolled in the Kaiser Medicare Advantage Plan. Can my spouse also receive coverage from Kaiser?
No, your spouse will have to enroll in a CareFirst plan to continue to have medical coverage. The same would apply to any dependent under the age of 65.
6. I will turn 65 in February 2024 and I am currently enrolled in the Kaiser HMO. Can I remain on the Kaiser HMO plan until I am Medicare eligible in February 2024?
No, you will have to enroll in a CareFirst plan to continue coverage until you are eligible for Medicare in 2024. It is important to sign up early for Medicare to avoid a delay in coverage. While you can sign up three months in advance of your 65th birthday, you will not be eligible for Medicare until the 1st of your 65th birthday month.
7. I am currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan. If I do not make a choice during Open Enrollment will I default to the CareFirst HMO plan?
No, you will not default to CareFirst plans. There are no changes to the Medicare Advantage plans. Your enrollment will remain the same if enrolled in a Medicare plan.
8. I am currently enrolled in the Kaiser HMO plan. If I do not make a choice during Open Enrollment will I default to CareFirst HMO plan?
Yes, the default plan is the CareFirst BlueChoice HMO.
9. Who can I contact if I have additional questions regarding plan options and coverage?
Please contact the HR Service Support Center at 703-228-2726 or hr.support@apsva.us between the hours of 8:00 a.m. EDT and 5:00 p.m. EDT Monday-Friday.
2024 Benefit Information
Medical and Dental Rates for Non-Medicare and Medicare-Eligible Retirees
Medical Benefit Information for non-Medicare Retirees
Medicare Advantage Information for Medicare-Eligible Retirees
Dental Benefit Information for All Retirees
General Retiree Benefits Information
In recognition of the service our Retirees have rendered to Arlington Public Schools (APS), the School Board provides medical and dental benefits to those employees who, at the time of their retirement, are enrolled in the group medical and dental coverage.
For Retirees with 20 or more years of service with APS, the School Board makes the same contribution towards the Retiree’s premium as it does for an active employee. The School Board’s contribution is reduced for Retirees with less than 20 years of service. Full-time, Virginia Retirement System (VRS) covered A, E, G, T, P-scale employees, and Extended Day Supervisors who retire with 15 or more years of service, are entitled to receive a Health Insurance Credit of $4.00 per month for each year of VRS service.
Medicare Advantage Coverage (For Retirees and eligible spouses age 65+)
The retiree and their eligible spouse have the option to enroll in one of two (2) Medicare Advantage plans with Arlington Public Schools. The 65+ plans, are not predicated on the previous active plan the retiree was enrolled in. For example, if the retiree and their eligible spouse were enrolled in Kaiser as an active retiree, they have the option to enroll in the United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plan once they turn 65 or remain with Kaiser on the Kaiser Medicare Advantage plan.
Retirees Under Age 65 (For non-Medicare Retirees, eligible spouses, and dependent children )
If the Retiree and their eligible spouse and/or dependent children are under age 65 at the time of retirement, the Retiree and covered spouse and dependents will continue to be covered under the same “active employee” medical plan in which the Retiree was enrolled immediately prior to retirement. (The Retiree must also elect medical coverage if the Retiree wishes to cover any eligible dependents.) Retirees, spouses and dependent children who do not elect to continue medical coverage at the time of retirement will not be eligible to enroll at a future date.
Dental Coverage
Retiree dental coverage is offered through Delta Dental of Virginia. If the Retiree, spouse and dependent children are enrolled in the dental plan immediately prior to retirement, the Retiree, spouse and dependent children will be offered Retiree dental coverage. (The Retiree must also elect dental coverage if the Retiree wishes to cover any eligible dependents.) Retirees who do not elect to continue dental coverage at the time of retirement will not be eligible to enroll at a future date. Retirees pay the full premium for this coverage.
Important Information
Retirees who do not elect medical and/or dental benefits at the time of retirement will not be eligible to enroll at a future date.
A Retiree’s spouse and/or dependent children must be covered under an Arlington Public Schools (APS) medical plan and dental plan for at least five years prior to the employee’s retirement to be eligible to receive retiree health and dental coverage.
Turning age 65
It is strongly recommended the Retiree and/or spouse who is turning age 65, or who will retire at age 65, apply for Medicare Part A and Part B at least 3 months before retirement or turning age 65. The Retiree and/or covered spouse will receive an Enrollment Packet from their health coverage provider.
Annual Open Enrollment
On an annual basis, Open Enrollment materials will be mailed to the participating Retiree’s home address. It is very important to inform the APS Benefits Department of any changes to your home address.
2023 Retiree Coverage
United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan:
Effective January 1, 2023, United Healthcare’s Senior Supplemental Medicare plan will change to a Medicare Advantage plan. You will receive a letter with details on the plan change and how it applies to your 2023 enrollment.
View the announcement regarding the plan change from Supplemental to Advantage
Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage:
here are no coverage changes for 2023 to the Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plan.
Medical and Dental Rates for Non-Medicare and Medicare-Eligible Retirees
- 2023 Medical and Dental Monthly Retiree Rates (for non-Medicare and Medicare-Eligible individuals)
Medical Benefit Information for non-Medicare Retirees
- Cigna 2023 Benefit Summary HIGH Option
- Cigna 2023 Benefit Summary LOW Option
- Kaiser Permanente 2023 Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC)
Medicare Advantage Information for Medicare-Eligible Retirees
- 2023 UHC Medicare Advantage Benefit Summary
- 2023 UHC Medicare Advantage – Medical Only Benefit Summary
- 2023 Kaiser Medicare Advantage Summary of Benefits
Dental Benefit Information for All Retirees