As a Medicare-eligible USG retiree, when you enroll in either a healthcare plan (Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage) or a pharmacy plan (or both) through Alight Retiree Health Solutions you will receive an annual contribution to your Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). Funds are managed by Your Spending Account (YSA).
A Health Reimbursement Account is an employer-funded account that can be used to reimburse yourself for eligible expenses you have paid out of pocket, such as Medicare Part B costs, as well as premiums for healthcare, prescription drug, vision, and dental coverage purchased through Alight Retiree Health Solutions.
As long as you have a balance in your HRA, you may use it to reimburse yourself for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. Note: Expenses are eligible only to the extent that they are not paid for by the healthcare coverage you have. In addition, the expenses must be incurred by an individual participating in the HRA.
Here’s a complete list of eligible expenses and rules about expenses.
You can also refer to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Publication 502, available by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (829-3676) or on the IRS website.
Once you retire, you must enroll in at least one healthcare plan with Alight Retiree Health Solutions, within your initial eligibility period in order to receive the HRA. The initial eligibility period is three months prior to your birthday month, your birthday month and three months after your birthday month. If you are retiring at 65 or older, you will have 60 days to enroll.
The HRA is administered by Your Spending Account through Aon Retiree Health Exchange. You are automatically enrolled in an HRA as long as you enroll within your initial eligibility period. To access your HRA, simply log in to your Alight Retiree Health Solutions account and select the Manage my HRA link.
Because you must remain in coverage with the ARHS to remain eligible for the HRA, we recommend that you never change your plan through the carrier. If you do, you will lose eligibility for the HRA. Always call Alight Retiree Health Solutions for guidance.
If you and your spouse purchase an individual Medicare healthcare policy through Alight Retiree Health Solutions and are eligible for an HRA, you may receive an annual HRA allocation from USG for both you and your Medicare-eligible spouse. You and your spouse must maintain coverage in a plan through Alight Retiree Health Solutions to continue to be eligible for the HRA.
In general, your children are not eligible for healthcare expense reimbursement under the HRA. However, if you have a disabled child age 65 or over enrolled in an individual Medicare Supplement healthcare policy through Alight Retiree Health Solutions, a contribution to your HRA will be made on this child’s behalf if your child meets certain qualifications and you report this disabled child as a qualified tax dependent.
For USG Healthcare plans, the University System of Georgia shares the cost of coverage with you. The USG employer healthcare contributions are based on when you were hired and when you retire, as well as if you are pre-65 or Post-65. To determine which USG healthcare rates apply to you, answer the following questions:
If yes, view the Current USG Retiree and those retiring prior to January 1, 2023 section on the Retiree Premiums Page
If yes, view the Employees hired on or after January 1, 2013, and Retiring after January 1, 2023 section on the Retiree Premiums Page
To access your HRA online:
If you do not use all of your HRA during the year for reimbursement of eligible healthcare expenses, any unused remaining balance is automatically rolled into your next year’s HRA.
In October 2021, Alight Solutions acquired Aon Retiree Health Exchange. As part of the acquisition, the name, logo, and branding will change from Aon to Alight. However, the services will remain the same.
Other than bookmarking the new site, you don't need to do anything as part of this transition. Your coverage and account information will remain the same.
Remember, you must pay your premium and out-of-pocket expenses first to be reimbursed from your HRA. Review the information below, contact Alight Retiree Health Solutions at 1-866-212-5052 or attend one of the quarterly HRA education sessions.
Depending on the plan you select and the frequency of payment for premiums paid monthly, you can request reimbursement for eligible healthcare premiums in two ways:
Option 1: Auto-reimbursement | If you select a plan that offers the premium auto-reimbursement feature, you just need to opt in at the time of enrollment. No documentation or action is needed. After the carrier has notified Alight that you have paid your premium, you will be reimbursed via check or direct deposit (based on your selected preference). The first premium reimbursement can take up to 60 days. Note: Not all carriers offer the premium auto-reimbursement feature.
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Option 2: Filing a Form for Reimbursement | If you select a plan that does not offer the auto-reimbursement feature or if you pay in some frequency other than monthly, you can still request auto-reimbursement. You may complete and file a Your Spending Account Claim Form online.
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If you don’t want the entire premium amount reimbursed, you can adjust the reimbursement amount received each month and turn on or off auto-reimbursement for specific paid premiums. For Medicare premiums, you only need to submit a Premium Reimbursement claim once for Medicare Part B to continue year after year.
You can receive premium reimbursements in two ways:
Option 1: Paper Check | You will receive a paper check for your premium reimbursement unless you set up direct deposit. |
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Option 2: Direct Deposit | You can set up direct deposit online or by calling Alight Retiree Health Solutions at 1-866-212-5052. Either way, you will need your bank account information to get started.
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For Medicare premiums, you are required to provide one of the following each year:
If you are not enrolled in a plan that offers the premium auto-reimbursement feature, you will need to file a new claim form to alert YSA if your premium amount changes. Generally, this means you will need to update your auto-reimbursement request annually.
For other premiums, you’ll need to provide annual documentation showing which type of insurance premium you’re requesting reimbursement for (e.g., healthcare, prescription drug, dental, vision). The following documents are generally considered acceptable forms of proof:
To receive reimbursement for other eligible healthcare expenses (copays, coinsurance, etc.), you can submit the request in two ways. Remember, you must provide acceptable receipts or other documentation to prove that expenses are eligible under the plan.
Option 1: Online Form
| Log into your account at https://retiree.alight.com/usg. Choose the HRA tab and then click the Manage My Account button. From the Account Summary page, choose Get Reimbursed. Follow the instructions to complete the form and submit required documentation. |
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Option 2: Paper Form
| Request a paper form by calling Alight Retiree Health Solutions at 1-866-212-5052. Complete and fax or mail the form to Alight along with supporting documentation. |
If you have any questions about the HRA or how it works, review the Summary Plan Description (SPD) or contact Your Spending Account (the HRA administrator) by calling Alight Retiree Health Solutions. Additionally, there are monthly education sessions and quarterly HRA education sessions.
You can also obtain information directly on the Alight Retiree Health Solutions website.
Generally there is no filing deadline to submit your prior year claims. However, in the event of your death, your HRA will be transferred to any surviving spouse’s account, and your surviving spouse (or estate) will have six months from the date of your death to file requests for reimbursement of eligible expenses you incurred prior to your death.
No, the amount USG credits towards your HRA, and the funds you are reimbursed are not taxable.
No, you cannot contribute to an HRA.
If you are enrolled in a plan with premium auto-reimbursement, you will not need to update anything with YSA when your premium changes. Instead, your insurance company will submit your new premium to YSA to continue accurate reimbursement. This could take up to 60 days from the new premium effective date.
If you are not enrolled in a plan that offers premium auto-reimbursement, you will need to submit a new claim and documentation showing the amount of your new monthly premium in order to be accurately reimbursed.
As a reminder, you must enroll or maintain your enrollment in a healthcare and/or prescription drug plan through Alight to remain eligible for the HRA through USG.
Generally, the surviving spouse becomes the account holder, and USG will fund the survivor’s account moving forward.
If you die while participating in the HRA and your Medicare-eligible surviving spouse is participating in the HRA at the time of your death, your eligible surviving spouse will become the HRA holder as long as he or she continues to meet eligibility requirements. Your surviving spouse will continue to receive a Contribution to the HRA — if he or she continues to meet the eligibility requirements — until the earlier of his or her death or the termination of the Plan.
If your surviving spouse is under age 65 and participating in the USG Group Healthcare Plan at the time of your death, your surviving spouse will be eligible to participate in the HRA when this individual reaches age 65, becomes Medicare-eligible, and has had continuous coverage under the USG Group Healthcare Plan.
Additionally, your surviving spouse must: