Benefits

Open Enrollment May 9 to May 27, 2022

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) Open Enrollment ended on May 27, 2022.

Same as last year, ACPS offers three medical plans: (1) United Healthcare POS (Point of Service Plan); (2) Kaiser HMO; and (3) United Healthcare QHP (Qualified Health Plan) with Health Savings Account. This plan has a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) for employees to save pre-tax money to pay for eligible health expenses. To help you understand this new healthcare option, we’re offering a quick and easy HSA course you can take online, at any time. Visit https://uhchsacourse.com, watch a short video, and check your knowledge.

Important Information: Reimbursement for COVID At-Home Testing Kits

Effective January 15, 2022, health care plans are required to cover the cost of up to eight (8) FDA-approved over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests per covered individual per month. This applies to ACPS employees and their dependents who are enrolled in the ACPS United Healthcare and Kaiser HMO insurance plans.

United Healthcare members may be eligible for reimbursement of the cost of a COVID-19 home testing kit. See additional information here.

Kaiser HMO members can purchase at-home tests and be reimbursed for purchases made on or after January 15, 2022. Members may request reimbursement by submitting a claim through the member portal: kp.org.

As supplies increase, Kaiser will make more rapid antigen home tests available to members. Visit kp.org for the most up-to-date information.

As an additional resource, every home in the US may request up to four (4) free rapid antigen home tests from the federal government at https://www.covidtests.gov/. This process is not administered by ACPS and is available to all, regardless of enrollment in a health care plan.

Current Benefits Information

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) provides a comprehensive and competitive employee benefits package. Eligible employees have the choice of three different medical plans, one dental plan, one vision plan, and flexible spending accounts. The ACPS leave program includes sick, personal, and annual leave, short-term and long-term disability plans, workers’ compensation, as well as an Employee Assistance Program. Eligible employees may participate in the Virginia Retirement System and ACPS Supplemental Retirement Plan and 403(b)/457 savings plans. Details of these plans can be found below.

ACPS added a third health insurance plan in July 2019: United Healthcare QHP (Qualified Health Plan) with Health Savings Account. This plan has a tax-free Health Savings Account (HSA) for employees to save pre-tax money to pay for eligible health expenses. To help you understand this new healthcare option, we’re offering a quick and easy HSA course you can take online at any time. View the new United Healthcare QHP with Health Savings Account video.

Questions? Contact the Office of Benefits and Compensation at hrbenefits@acps.k12.va.us.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

ACPS Employee Medical Insurance Plan Information

Eligible Alexandria City Public School (ACPS) employees may elect to participate in a medical plan with Kaiser or United Healthcare. Details on eligibility, available options, and enrollment are provided below.

Benefits Summary (PDF)

Enrollment Form (PDF)

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser HMO Summary of Benefits and Coverages (PDF)

Kaiser Permanente website

Tools to Help You Live a Healthy Life (PDF)

Getting Care Away from Home (PDF)

Care On-the-Go Flyer (PDF)

Keep Active and Fit (PDF)

Video Visits (PDF)

Kaiser Service Area (PDF)

United Healthcare

United Healthcare website

United Healthcare Health and Wellness

United Healthcare Plans Presentation (PPT)

Manage Your Health Care Information Online (PDF)

United Healthcare App (PDF)

Access to Behavioral Health Services (PDF)

Sanvello Behavioral Health Flyer (PDF)

Find Care and Costs Flyer (PDF)

24/7 Virtual Visits (PDF)

Online Health Assessment (PDF)

Health Discount Program (PDF)

United Healthcare Real Appeal (PDF)

United Healthcare Choice Plus (POS)

United Healthcare Choice Plus POS Summary of Benefits and Coverages (PDF)

United Healthcare Qualified Health Plan with HSA Summary of Benefits and Coverages (PDF)

Health Savings Account Video

United Healthcare QHP with Health Savings Account Plan Comparison (PDF)

Calculate Health Costs Worksheet (PDF)

CareFirst CVS/Caremark Pharmacy Program

CareFirst website

CareFirst CVS/Caremark Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

CareFirst CVS/Caremark Participating Pharmacies (PDF)

CareFirst CVS Drug Formulary

CareFirst CVS/Caremark Maintenance Choice (PDF)

Access to Your Family Rx Information (PDF)

Member Customer Service: 1-800-241-3371

Dental Insurance

ACPS Employee Dental Insurance Information

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) offers employees a dental plan provided through CareFirst. With this plan, employees are free to receive treatment from any licensed dentist. However, you are likely to save money by going to a CareFirst participating dentist. For more details, see below.

CareFirst BlueDental Plus

Benefits Summary (PDF)

Enrollment Form (PDF)

CareFirst website

Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Vision Insurance

ACPS Employee Vision Insurance Information

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) offers employees a comprehensive vision plan through EyeMed. The in-network providers include private providers as well as retail providers such as LensCrafters, Pearl Vision, Sears, and Target Optical.

Benefits Summary (PDF)

Enrollment Form (PDF)

Vision Plan Description (PDF)

EyeMed Vision Care website

Purchasing Glasses and Contacts Online (PDF)

Hearing Discount (PDF)

Flexible Spending Accounts

ACPS Employee Flexible Spending Account Information

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are IRS-approved tax-free accounts. They allow you to set aside a portion of your salary as pre-tax dollars to be used as reimbursement for certain health and dependent care expenses you and your family incur.

When you enroll in a FSA, you authorize your employer to make per-pay period deposits to your account(s) with salary dollars that have not been taxed. Then, as you incur eligible out-of-pocket expenses, you request tax-free withdrawals from the account(s) to reimburse yourself.

There are two types of FSA accounts: health care and dependent care. You may enroll in either one or both.

Total Administrative Services Company (TASC)

Benefits Summary (PDF)

TASC Website

Advantages of FSA (PDF)

TASC Card (PDF)

Eligible Expenses

Life Insurance

ACPS Employee Life Insurance Information

Virginia Retirement System members are automatically enrolled in the basic life insurance plan which provides life insurance coverage of two times your salary. You and Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) share the cost of this coverage. You may also elect additional optional life coverage for yourself and your family.

Benefits Summary (PDF)

Virginia Retirement System website

Optional Life Insurance Enrollment Forms

Optional Life Certificate of Insurance (PDF)

Long Term Care Insurance

ACPS Employee Long Term Care Insurance Information

Under the Long Term Care program, coverage to help pay for long-term care may be more affordable than you think. It also offers a variety of coverage levels available to meet your individual needs and budgets.

Learn more on the Commonwealth of Virginia Voluntary Group Long Term Care Insurance Program website or call 1-866-859-6060.

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) employees are eligible to enroll in the long-term care insurance program offered through the Virginia Retirement System. Long-term care insurance provides for the cost of long-term care beyond a predetermined period. Individuals requiring long-term care are generally not sick in the traditional sense. They are unable to perform the basic activities of daily living, such as dressing, walking, eating, bathing, etc. Long-term care insurance helps to reimburse charges for services received at home, in the community, or in a nursing facility, if an individual needs help to perform two of the basic activities of daily living.

This voluntary benefit is provided by Genworth Life Insurance Company. Please visit the Commonwealth of Virginia Voluntary Group Long Term Care Insurance Program website for valuable information to assist you in making this important decision.

This is a voluntary benefit and premiums will be paid directly to the insurance company by the employee. All paperwork will be handled with the provider.

Leave and Disability

ACPS Employee Leave and Disability Information

The Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) leave program includes paid sick leave, personal leave, and annual leave. Leave forms must be submitted to supervisors prior to taking leave. In addition, ACPS offers short-term and long-term disability plans.

FMLA Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Paid Leave Quick Reference Guide (PDF)

Family Medical Leave Act

Eligible employees who work 1,250 hours in the 12 months immediately preceding the commencement of leave may qualify for Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Employees may submit a FMLA form for:

Twelve workweeks of leave for:

the birth of a child and to care for the newborn child within one year of birth
the placement with the employee of a child for adoption or foster care and to care for the newly placed child within one year of placement
to care for the employee's spouse, child, or parent who has a serious health condition
a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of his or her job
any qualifying exigency arising out of the fact that the employee's spouse, son, daughter, or parent is a covered military member on "covered active duty"

Twenty-six workweeks of leave during a single 12-month period to care for a covered servicemember with a serious injury or illness if the eligible employee is the service member's spouse, son, daughter, parent, or next of kin (military caregiver leave).

To apply, contact Human Resources at hrbenefits@acps.k12.va.us, have your medical provider complete the appropriate form below, and submit it to Human Resources at least 30 days in advance.

FMLA Forms and Information

Employee Rights and Responsibilities (PDF)

Certification of Health Care Provider for Employee's Serious Health Condition (PDF)

Certification of Health Care Provider for Family Member's Serious Health Condition (PDF)

Certification of Serious Injury or Illness of a Current Servicemember (PDF)

Return to Work Medical Release (PDF)

Expecting A Baby (PDF)

FMLA Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)

Integrated Disability

ACPS offers an integrated Short and Long Term Disability Program. Eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the plan.

Short Term Disability Plan Details (PDF)

Short Term Disability Certificate of Insurance (PDF)

Long Term Disability Plan Details (PDF)

Long Term Disability Certificate of Insurance (PDF)

Ability Assist Counseling Services (PDF)

Employees absent for five (5) or more consecutive workdays due to a personal health condition must do the following:

Call The Hartford (insurance) to begin the Short Term Disability claim process. See the Telephonic Claims flier (PDF) for details.

Complete and submit the appropriate FMLA form to ACPS Human Resources.

Enter the absence in the appropriate leave reporting system such as SAM.

Donated Leave

Under certain circumstances, employees may be eligible for donated leave. Voluntary Donated Leave Policy and Application (PDF)

Long Term Leave

Employees may request long-term leave, such as a Leave of Absence, by submitting the Long Term Leave Request Form to Human Resources.

Long Term Leave Request Form (PDF)

Employee Assistance Program

ACPS Employee Assistance Program Information

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) offers an Employee Assistance Program through The Hartford (insurance). Call ComPsych Guidance Resources at 800-327-1850, or go online to the GuidanceResources® Online webpage, for confidential assistance. The program provides support, resources, and information for personal and work-life issues. Confidential services are available to employees and their dependents, including immediate, no-cost assistance for emotional or work-life counseling, financial information, and legal support and resources.

The following resources are available through the ComPsych COVID-19 Resources:

Coronavirus webinar with coping tips
Health and safety resources
A webinar to help navigate remote work and tips for staying healthy at work
Utilizing your Ability Assist program
An interactive experience to employees who are feeling stressed about recent events
Assistance navigating financial resiliency

The program also includes Travel Assistance and Identity Theft Protection services:

Employee Assistance Program (PDF)

Employee Assistance Program - Spanish (PDF)

Guidance Resources Overview (PPT)

24/7 Support, Resources & Information (PDF)

24/7 Support, Resources & Information - Spanish (PDF)

Travel Assistance and Identity Theft Brochure (PDF)

Workers' Compensation

ACPS Workers’ Compensation Reporting Information

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) employees must report workplace injuries to their supervisor and CorVel, the third-party administrator. To report the injury to CorVel, call 1-877-764-3574 and speak to a Triage Nurse.

Once the incident has been reported to CorVel, the employee must complete the Notice of Injury, Illness and Investigation, and the Authorized Panel of Physicians Acknowledgement and Selection Form below. These forms must be submitted to the supervisor and then forwarded to Human Resources.

Retirement and Savings Plans

ACPS Employee Retirement and Savings Plans Information

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) full-time eligible employees are automatically enrolled in the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and the Supplemental Retirement Plan with Principal.

In addition, employees may choose to participate in retirement savings plans such as tax-sheltered annuities 403(b) and deferred compensation 457(b) plans. Visit the TSA Consulting Group website for more information about these plans.

The VRS Hybrid Plan, which went into effect on January 1, 2014, combines the features of a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan. To learn more about this plan, visit the Virginia Retirement System website.

The Hybrid Retirement Plan Auto-Escalation begins in January 2017 and continues every three years until the member reaches the maximum 4 percent in voluntary contributions. To learn more, visit the Virginia Retirement System website.

Virginia Retirement System

Virginia Retirement System (VRS)

Virginia Retirement System (VRS) Member Education Sessions

myVRS Login Instructions (PDF)

Virginia Retirement System Hybrid Plan website

Hybrid Members: Your Defined Contribution (DC) Plan Specialist is Here to Help You (PDF)
Contact: Tejan Rahman at 1-866-731-1065 or trahman@icmarc.org
Register to attend a one-on-one meeting or a seminar

ACPS Supplemental Retirement

Supplemental Retirement Plan Summary (PDF)

403(b) and 457 Savings Plans

Universal Notice

TSA Website

403(b) Plan Document (PDF)

457(b) Plan Document (PDF)

Online TSA Salary Reduction Agreement Form and Instructions to complete the Online TSA Salary Reduction Agreement Form

403(b) and 457(b) Plan Comparisons (PDF)

Chart of Employee Voluntary Contributions and Employer Match to the Virginia Retirement System Hybrid Plan

Employee Voluntary Contribution	Employer Match on Voluntary Contribution
0%	0%
.5%	.5%
1%	1%
1.5%	1.25%
2%	1.5%
2.5%	1.75%
3%	2%
3.5%	2.25%
4%	2.5%

Retiree Benefits

ACPS Retired Employee Benefit Information

Health Insurance Open Enrollment begins on May 9 and ends on May 27, 2022. You may make changes to your current health insurance benefits by completing the Retiree Health Insurance Enrollment form and submitting it to ACPS Human Resources by May 27, 2022.

Benefits Information for the 2021-22 School Year

Retiree Health Insurance Rates Effective January 1, 2022 (PDF)

Retiree Quick Reference Guide (PDF)

Retiree Benefits Summary (PDF)

Retiree Health Insurance Enrollment Form (PDF)

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Medicare Summary of Benefits and Coverages (PDF)

Kaiser Medicare Enrollment Form (PDF)

Kaiser Permanente website

Tools to Help You Live a Healthy Life (PDF)

United Healthcare

United Healthcare Choice Plus (POS) Plan Summary of Benefits and Coverages (PDF)

United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan Summary (PDF)

United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Form (PDF)

United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plan Enrollment Form for Spouses (PDF)

United Healthcare Website

United Healthcare Health and Wellness

Manage Your Health Care Information Online (PDF)

Online Health Assessment (PDF)

Health Discount Program (PDF)

CareFirst CVS/Caremark Pharmacy Benefits for United Healthcare Participants
Member Customer Service: 1-800-241-3371

CareFirst CVS/Caremark Benefits Summary (PDF)

CareFirst CVS/Caremark Participating Pharmacies (PDF)

CareFirst website

Retirement Plans

Board Policy DAA - Supplemental Retirement Plan(PDF)

Personal Account Link to ACPS Supplemental Retirement Account

Overview of Supplemental Retirement Plan Summary (PDF) by Principal Financial Group

If you have questions regarding your pension payments, please contact:

Virginia Retirement System: 1-888-827-3847

ACPS Supplemental Retirement: 1-800-547-7754

Alexandria Retired Teachers Association

ACPS Supplemental Retirement

Alexandria City Public Schools School Board Supplemental Retirement Plan Investment Policy Statement (PDF)

ACPS Supplemental Retirement

Supplemental Retirement Plan Summary (PDF)

Tuition Reimbursement

ACPS Employee Tuition Reimbursement Information

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) offers tuition assistance for licensed employees (teachers and administrators) who wish to further their professional knowledge in a college or university setting. Teachers who take classes in reading, special education, math, gifted education, or teaching English learners may have their classes reimbursed by ACPS. Eligible employees must complete an application and then provide documentation at the completion of the class.

ACPS Talent Development Professional Learning Tuition Assistance

Support Employees:

Support employees may be eligible for tuition reimbursement up to $700 per fiscal year, on a first come first serve basis. Funds are provided to support employees who are seeking academic credits, continuing education updates, or attending workshops/seminars outside of the workplace to update their job skills or enhance their job expertise. All course request forms must be approved by the supervisor and sent to Human Resources Department prior to enrolling in the course, seminar or workshop. More information can be found in the Support Staff Tuition Reimbursement Form (PDF).

Forms

Additional Forms for ACPS Employees