Health Insurance
Health insurance coverage is offered for non-Medicare eligible retirees.
Individuals who retire after July 1, 1995 under the deferred retirement provision of the City Code are not eligible to enroll in any of the
city's health insurance plans.
The following health insurance options are offered by the city's health insurance provider,
CIGNA
Plan A – Premier Plan
- Available for non-Medicare-eligible retirees
- In-network and out-of-network benefits
- In-network plan allows you to use network physicians, hospitals, pharmacies and other network providers at no-charge after the co-pay and deductibles are met.
- Co-pays for the in-network plan are $20 for primary care physicians visits and $40 for specialist visits.
- Out-of-network plan allows you to choose the doctors you prefer with a deductible and co-insurance depending on the service provided.
Plan B – Classic Plan
- Available for non-Medicare-eligible retirees
- In-network benefits only
- In-network plan allows you to use network physicians, hospitals, pharmacies and other network providers for all services.
- Co-pays for the in-network plan are $25 for primary care physician visits and $50 for specialist visits.
- No referrals needed for specialist
- Out-of-network physicians will not be covered
City's Contribution Rate
If you retired prior to January 1, 2000, the city will pay 100% of the city's contribution toward your monthly premium. Therefore, your
premium will be the same as the monthly deduction rate shown in the table for those persons with twenty-five or more years of service.
If you retired after December 31, 1999, the amount of the city's contribution paid toward your monthly premium will be based on your years
of service. Please refer to the applicable rate table below, which indicates the retiree's monthly payroll deduction after the city's
contribution rate has been applied.
Cobra Coverage for Surviving Spouses / Dependants
Health insurance coverage for all surviving spouses/dependents (current and future) of deceased members continues pursuant to COBRA (
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985). COBRA allows a surviving spouse/dependent to remain in the deceased member's
health insurance plan for thirty-six months after the death of the member. After that period of time, the coverage will be terminated
and the surviving spouse/dependent may convert to an individual policy, if interested. The COBRA rates for surviving spouses/dependents are
listed below.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996
The HIPAA privacy rules became effective April 14, 2003. The privacy rules require group health plans, HMOs and insurers to establish
processes to maintain the confidentiality of an individual's Protected Health Information (PHI). Our health, dental and supplemental policy
vendors have notified the city and retirees of their policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the HIPAA Privacy Rules.
The city's internal guidelines will be published in an administrative regulation.
Please note that the city will not be able to discuss with you or disclose to vendors your PHI unless you have signed a release form,
available from the vendors.
City Health Insurance Updates
Dental Insurance
The city of Richmond offers two dental benefit plans through
Delta Dental of Virginia.
- DeltaCare
- Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier
Eligibility
Dental Insurance coverage is offered to eligible retirees. As with health insurance, deferred retirees are ineligible for this plan. For additional
information, please see the
City of Richmond Department of Human Resources.
City Dental Insurance Updates
Life Insurance
Upon retirement from active service, group life insurance coverage will continue at no cost to you through the
Virginia Retirement System. However, accidental death and
dismemberment coverage will cease.
The amount of the life insurance is equal to your annual salary rounded to the next highest thousand and
then doubled. Your life insurance coverage will reduce as indicated below.
Reduction for Service/Early Service Retirements
The value of the life insurance coverage will reduce by 25% of its value on January 1 of the first full year after you retire and
each January thereafter until it reaches 25% of its original value at retirement.
Reduction for Disability Retirements
After you reach age 65, the value of the life insurance coverage will reduce by 25% of its value on January 1 of the first full year after
your reach age 65 and each January thereafter until it reaches 25% of its original value at retirement.
Beneficiary Designation
Life-changing events occur such as marriage, divorce, remarriage or loss of a loved one. Remember, to update your beneficiary designation
as needed. To change your beneficiary, you must complete a beneficiary change form which can be obtained from the
Virginia Retirement System website.
Death Benefits
The Death Benefit Fact Sheet provides a summary of the benefits available
to a member's spouse or designated beneficiary under certain terms and conditions in accordance with Chapter 78 of the Code of the city of
Richmond.
Death Benefits After Retirement
Death benefits are governed by the type of benefit payment option selected at retirement.
If you were employed before June 13, 1988, your beneficiary will receive a one-time, lump-sum
payment up to a maximum of $1,000.
Death Benefits After Disability Retirement
The surviving spouse is automatically entitled to a 100% survivor benefit if the retiree was eligible for Early Service retirement
at the time of disability retirement and dies prior to reaching his/her normal retirement age (general employee at age 65; sworn police
officer or firefighter at age 60).
The automatic coverage for the spouse ends at the retiree's normal retirement age. Therefore, to continue coverage for the spouse,
the retiree must select a survivor option prior to reaching his/her normal retirement age.
If a disabled retiree was not eligible for an early service retirement at the time of disability retirement, the retiree must select
a survivor option prior to reaching his/her normal retirement age.
If you were employed before June 13, 1988, your beneficiary will receive a one-time, lump-sum
payment up to a maximum of $1,000.
Payment of Claims
Upon notification of a member's death (active or retired), their file is reviewed to determine if death benefits are due to a surviving spouse
and/or beneficiary. If it is determined death benefits are due to a surviving spouse and/or beneficiary they will be contacted via mail and
will be required to return a completed Death Benefit Claimant form and certified death certificate to the RRS for payment of funds.
