How Automatic Premium Reimbursement Works
This article applies to you if you have a Via Benefits reimbursement account, sometimes known as a Health Reimbursement Arrangement*.
Note: Automatic Premium Reimbursement isn’t available to participants receiving ICHRA benefits.
If your plan is eligible, Automatic Premium Reimbursement automatically reimburses your monthly medical and Part D premiums. There’s no need to submit a request through the website, mobile app, or paper form.
If Part B premiums are an eligible expense, you may also be able to use Automatic Premium Reimbursement for those costs. Read Medicare Part B Premium Reimbursement to learn more.
Automatic Premium Reimbursement applies only to premium payments. For copay reimbursement options, refer to Submitting a Reimbursement Request.
Automatic Premium Reimbursement Process
You pay your plan premium to the insurance carrier.
The carrier transmits an electronic receipt for the payment to Via Benefits.
Via Benefits reimburses you for the premium, up to the available balance in your reimbursement account.
For information about partial payment, refer to your Explanation of Payment.
Turning Automatic Premium Reimbursement On or Off
If you want step-by-step instructions for turning Automatic Premium Reimbursement on or off, select one of the following methods:
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Automatic Premium Reimbursement:
You have qualified for the reimbursement account offered by your former employer or benefits provider.
You are enrolled in a qualifying insurance plan (e.g., Medicare) through Via Benefits Insurance Services.
Automatic Premium Reimbursement Availability
To determine if Automatic Premium Reimbursement is available for your medical plan, Part D, or Medicare Part B premiums, follow the directions provided in the Turning Automatic Premium Reimbursement On or Off section.
If an OFF/On toggle appears to the left of a plan’s name in your reimbursement account, the plan is eligible for Automatic Premium Reimbursement.
You can use Express Reimbursement to be reimbursed for your premium expenses if your plan doesn't support Automatic Premium Reimbursement.
If you prefer not to use Automatic Premium Reimbursement or Express Reimbursement, consider submitting a Recurring Premium Reimbursement.
Paying Your Premium
Social Security Deduction
We recommend not using Automatic Premium Reimbursement if you make your premium payments using Social Security deduction. Combining Automatic Premium Reimbursements with Social Security deduction may cause reimbursements to be delayed, work sporadically, or not work at all, making it necessary for you to submit reimbursement requests to receive your payments.
Medicare Part B payments can be reimbursed using Automatic Premium Reimbursement even though they’re deducted from your Social Security payment.
Directly to the Carrier
Automatic Premium Reimbursement works best when you pay the insurance carrier directly and don't have the premium deducted from your Social Security payment.
Reimbursement Payment Options
You can be reimbursed via paper check or direct deposit. Via Benefits recommends using direct deposit to receive your reimbursements. Direct deposit allows Via Benefits to deposit your reimbursements into a checking or savings account, rather than mailing you a paper check. Direct deposit is faster than getting a check in the mail, provides convenient reimbursement when you're away from home, and is more secure than mailed checks. Learn how to set up direct deposit.
Reimbursement Time Frame
Please allow up to four weeks after your plan’s effective date to receive your first Automatic Premium Reimbursement. If you haven't received it after six weeks, contact Via Benefits so we can contact your insurance carrier on your behalf. Call us at 1-866-322-2824 (TTY: 711).
*Via Benefits reimbursement accounts are administered by Extend Health, LLC.