If you are retiring and satisfy all of the following criteria you are eligible to enroll yourself as well as a spouse or dependent children in the State Retiree Health Benefits Program:

• Meet the age and service requirements that would be needed to receive an immediate retirement benefit under the non-ORP VRS plan for which you would have been eligible for had you not elected the ORP (See page 4).
• You are a terminating state employee who participates in one of the qualified Optional Retirement Plans, and
• Your last employer before termination was the Commonwealth of Virginia; and,
• You were eligible for (even if you were not enrolled) coverage in the State Employee Health Benefits Program for active employees at the time of your termination.

To enroll, submit the State Health Benefits Program Enrollment Form for Retirees, Survivors and LTD Participants (T-20879) with your retirement termination certification form or within 31 days of your retirement date. The form is available at www.varetire.org or by contacting the JMU retirement specialist.

The insurance carrier will bill you directly each month for your health insurance premium. Most carriers will have an opportunity for you to set up a direct debit from your bank account.

You are eligible to enroll in the health plan of your choice at retirement, although there are no membership changes allowed at the time of retirement.

You may only cover dependents who were enrolled in coverage prior to retirement, they may not be added at the time of retirement unless there is also a qualifying mid-year event.

You must enroll in an age appropriate plan. Retirees who are not yet age 65 or Medicare eligible will have the option to enroll in any of the plans available to them as an active employee. Retirees and/or dependents who are Medicare eligible must enroll in a Medicare coordinating plan option.

You must enroll within 31 days of your retirement date if you wish to be covered under the State Retiree Health Benefits Program. If no election is made or coverage is declined, you may not return to the program in the future.