Benefits

2026-27 School Year Benefits Information

Open Enrollment: May 1 to May 31, 2026

Health Insurance Open Enrollment Is Here for the 2026-27 School Year!

Open Enrollment runs from May 1 through May 31, 2026—do not miss this annual opportunity to elect, review and update your benefits!

All employees are required to take action during the Open Enrollment period.

Participation is required for all employees and retirees. You must complete a mandatory Open Enrollment session to review and select, or waive your benefit coverages for the 2026–27 plan year. This mandatory requirement applies to all staff, even if you intend to keep your current elections. All benefit elections made during this period will take effect on July 1, 2026.

All employees can access and make benefit elections through Employee Access.

Need help logging in? View step-by-step instructions Employee Access Instructions.

What’s Staying Great:
ACPS continues to offer the same trusted medical plans as last year:

UnitedHealthcare POS (Point of Service Plan)
UnitedHealthcare QHP (Qualified Health Plan) with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
Kaiser Permanente HMO

What's New:

This year, ACPS will experience rate increases across all health plans, including UHC POS, UHC Qualified Health Plan, Kaiser Permanente HMO, CareFirst Dental and EyeMed Vision. For detailed information on the updated rates, please refer to the FY 2026–27 Health Insurance Rates.
Also new this year effective July 1, 2026, prescription drug coverage will transition from CareFirst to United Health Care (UHC) Optum Rx. Your medical carrier is not changing, only the pharmacy benefit manager is changing. Please note this change will not affect any Kaiser Permanente customers.
With EyeMed Vision’s Eye360, members who visit a PLUS Provider receive the following enhancements – on top of their base insurance benefit:
- $0 copay vision care exam
- $50 added to the frame allowance
- $100 second pair glasses benefit

Why Choose the QHP with HSA?
This tax-advantaged plan allows you to save pre-tax dollars to cover eligible health expenses—putting money back in your pocket!

Want to learn more? Take our quick, online HSA course anytime at https://uhchsacourse.com. Just watch a short video and test your knowledge—it's that easy!

Be sure to explore your options and make any desired changes before May31!

Note: The links below cover information for the new coverage plan year from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027.

FY 2026-27 Open Enrollment Guide (PDF)
FY 2026-27 Health Insurance Rates (PDF)
FY 2026-27 Health insurance Rates (Retirees)
FY 2026-27 Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Health Savings Account Enrollment Forms
- Health Savings Account (HSA) Employee Voluntary Contribution Form (PDF)
- Appointment of Employer as Authorized Agent to Open an HSA (PDF)
FY 2026-27 Benefit Plans Contact Reference Guide (PDF)
ACPS Acceptable Dependent Verification Documents (PDF)

Contact Information

For additional information or questions, please contact the ACPS Office of Compensation and Benefits at
hrbenefits@acps.k12.va.us.

Information About the 2026-27 Benefits Open Enrollment

2026-27 School Year Benefits Information: Open Enrollment May 1 to May 31, 2026 Email

2026-27 School Year Benefits Information: Open Enrollment May 1 to May 31, 2026 Email

Dear Alexandria City Public Schools Staff,

Open enrollment begins this Friday, May 1, 2026, and will continue through Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Unlike in previous years, all employees will be required to complete the benefits enrollment process for the upcoming plan year by either reconfirming their current benefits coverage or making changes to their existing elections in Employee Access. Employees who do not complete this process will experience a loss of health coverage after June 30, 2026. Any updates or confirmed selections will take effect on July 1, 2026.

Open enrollment is the time to review your health insurance and other benefit options for the school year 2026-27, so that you can make the best choices for you and your family. Note that you must re-enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) each year through the Employee Access portal.

Requiring benefits enrollment for all employees ensures every employee actively reviews and confirms their benefit elections for the upcoming plan year. Even if you intend to keep the same coverage, plans, cost and coverage details can change from year to year. Ensuring all employees complete the enrollment process helps prevent unintended gaps in coverage, ensures accurate and up-to-date benefit elections, and confirms that each employee understands available options.

This process also allows the school division to maintain compliance with benefits regulations, accurately manage payroll deductions and ensure all employees have made informed decisions about their health and wellness benefits. Without mandatory participation, employees could unknowingly lose coverage or miss important updates that impact them and their families.

To confirm or update your benefit selections for the 2026-27 school year, employees can make changes using the Employee Access portal beginning May 1, 2026.

In addition to open enrollment being mandatory for all ACPS staff, there are additional health insurance changes taking place beginning July 1, 2026.

Health Insurance Rate Changes

Health insurance premium rates will increase by 16% for UnitedHealthcare customers and by 8.9% for Kaiser Permanente customers, resulting in higher employee contributions. Updated benefit rates for all plans can be found on the ACPS Benefits webpage. Employees are encouraged to review the updated benefit rates to help inform enrollment decisions.

All of the new plan year rates information is available on the ACPS Benefits webpage.

Prescription Coverage Update

Beginning with the new plan year, CareFirst will no longer serve as the prescription (Rx) provider for employees enrolled in UnitedHealthcare (UHC) plans. This change does not impact employees enrolled in Kaiser Permanente plans, as their prescription coverage remains the same.

Upcoming Benefits Engagement Opportunities

ACPS will host in-person and online events with the ACPS Benefits team to provide information, answer questions and ensure employees are informed and supported throughout the open enrollment process.

Open Enrollment Webinar
- May 5, 2026, from 4-5:30 p.m.
Open Enrollment Fair at George Washington Middle School Gymnasium (1005 Mt. Vernon Ave.)
- May 14, 2026, from 4-6:30 p.m.
Virtual Office Hours
- May 20, 2026, from 4-6 p.m.
Open Enrollment Fair at the ACPS Transportation Depot (3540 Wheeler Ave.)
- May 28, 2026, from 10 a.m-2 p.m.

Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account Information

To continue participation in the Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) programs, employees must enroll anew each year. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) annual maximum contributions are as follows:

Healthcare FSA contributions are limited by the IRS to $3,400 each year. (The limit is per person; each spouse in the household may contribute up to the limit. Your employer may elect a lower contribution limit. Please see your plan documents or check with your Human Resources office for the specifics of your FSA Health Care Plan. The limit may be adjusted annually to account for inflation increases.)
Dependent care FSAs, you may contribute up to $7,500 per year if you are married and filing a joint return, or if you are a single parent. If you are married and filing separately, you may contribute up to $3,750 per year per parent.
Qualified medical expenses can be found in IRS Publication 502. Due to frequent updates to the regulations governing Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts, this list does not guarantee reimbursement but, instead, is to be utilized as a guide for the submission of claims.
FSA FAQs (Get answers to frequently asked questions.)

Healthcare Savings Account (HSA) Information

2026 HSA Contribution Limits

An individual with coverage under a qualifying high-deductible health plan (deductible not less than $1,700) can contribute up to $4,400. The maximum out-of-pocket is capped at $6,500 in-network.
An individual with family coverage under a qualifying high-deductible health plan (deductible not less than $3,400) can contribute up to $8,750. The maximum out-of-pocket is capped at $13,000 in-network.

HSA Catch-Up Contributions
Once you turn 55, you can contribute an additional $1,000 each year to your HSA, called a catch-up contribution. If you and your spouse are both over the age of 55, you can each contribute an additional $1,000. Your spouse will just need to open their own HSA for their additional portion. Make a catch-up contribution online today.

Note: Before you can enroll in an HSA account, you must be enrolled in the United Healthcare QHP medical plan.

Contact Information
Employees are encouraged to take advantage of open enrollment sessions and available resources, and to contact the ACPS Office of Compensation and Benefits with any questions or to receive additional information at hrbenefits@acps.k12.va.us.

Thank you,

Kamika Valmond
Acting Chief of Human Resources
Department of Human Resources
Alexandria City Public Schools

2025-26 School Year Benefits Information

The information below is only for the 2025-26 benefits coverage year.
All employees can access benefit elections through Employee Access.

What’s Staying Great:

ACPS continues to offer the same trusted medical plans as last year:

UnitedHealthcare POS (Point of Service Plan)
Kaiser HMO
UnitedHealthcare QHP (Qualified Health Plan) with a Health Savings Account (HSA)

What's New:

This year, ACPS will experience rate increases across all health plans, including UHC POS, UHC Qualified Health Plan, Kaiser HMO and CareFirst Dental. For detailed information on the updated rates, please refer to the FY 2025–26 Health Insurance Rates.

Why Choose the QHP with HSA?

This tax-advantaged plan allows you to save pre-tax dollars to cover eligible health expenses—putting money back in your pocket!

Want to learn more? Take our quick, online HSA course anytime at https://uhchsacourse.com. Just watch a short video and test your knowledge—it's that easy!

Note: the forms below cover information for the new plan year July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026.

FY 2025-26 Open Enrollment Guide (PDF)
Note: The dates listed in the enrollment guide reflect our standard annual open enrollment period and do not include the extension for the 2026 enrollment cycle.
FY 2025-26 Health Insurance Rates (PDF)
FY 2025-26 Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
Health Savings Account Enrollment Forms
- Health Savings Account (HSA) Employee Voluntary Contribution Form (PDF)
- Appointment of Employer as Authorized Agent to Open an HSA (PDF)
FY 2025-26 Benefit Plans Contact Reference Guide (PDF)
ACPS Acceptable Dependent Verification Documents (PDF)

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)

Qualifying Life Event 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 Choice Plus (POS) & Qualified Health Plan (QHP) with HSA

United Healthcare website

United Healthcare Health and Wellness

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 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 Summary of Prescription Drug Benefits

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

CareFirst Summary of Dental Benefits

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.

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

Retiree Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment: November 13, 2025 through December 18, 2025

Past Year's Benefit Information for CY 2025

Retirement Plans

Board Policy DAA - Supplemental Retirement Plan
Personal Account Link to ACPS Supplemental Retirement Account
Overview of Supplemental Retirement Plan Summary (PDF) by Principal Financial Group
Login Instructions for Personal Account Link to ACPS Supplemental Retirement Plan (PDF)

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)

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 your supervisor and sent to Human Resources Department for approval prior to enrolling in the course, seminar or workshop. Please be advised that in order to receive your reimbursement you must provide a certificate of completion and a Grade C or better. More information can be found in the Support Staff Tuition Reimbursement Form (PDF).

Forms

Additional Forms for ACPS Employees