An Overview of Your Reimbursement Account
This article applies to you if you have a Via Benefits reimbursement account (sometimes known as a Health Reimbursement Arrangement)*.
Via Benefits has a few suggestions to improve your experience while using your reimbursement account, such as setting up direct deposit, updating your notification settings for email and text, and automating your premium reimbursement. Start by signing up with Via Benefits if you haven't done so already. Read Signing Up with Via Benefits on the Website for instructions.
Taking the actions described below reduces the number of steps needed for you to receive your reimbursements and reduces the amount of mail you receive from us.
Set up direct deposit.
Select your communication preferences.
Automate your premium reimbursement.
Determine if you have a deadline to incur expenses or submit reimbursement requests.
Authorize others to access your information. Call Via Benefits at 1-866-322-2824 to add a representative to your account in the event you can't manage it.
Set up Direct Deposit
Direct deposit allows reimbursements to be deposited directly into your checking or savings account. It’s faster and more secure than receiving a paper check. You may see alerts reminding you to set up direct deposit. These alerts don't prevent you from using your account. However, the alert persists until you complete the requested action. If you need to set up direct deposit, you can do so on the Via Benefits Accounts mobile app or on the website. Read Set Up Direct Deposit in a Few Easy Steps for instructions.
Some former employers require that direct deposit is set up before you can be reimbursed for your expenses.
Manage Your Communications
You can manage how you receive your reimbursement account notifications, such as balance reminders and Explanations of Payment (EOPs). Selecting email reduces the amount of paper you receive. You can also sign up for text alerts, so we send you text messages when activities occur in your reimbursement account. You can sign in to your account at any time to review your reimbursement account activity. Read Update your Reimbursement Notification Settings to learn more.
There's a We found some sections that are missing information alert on the Profile page when you haven't signed up for text alerts. The alert persists until you sign up for text alerts, but it doesn't prevent you from using your account.
Automate Your Premium Reimbursement
Automatic Premium Reimbursement is an added service offered by Via Benefits for most Medicare health plans, including Medicare Part B. Automatic Premium Reimbursement enables you to be reimbursed for your premium payments without submitting a reimbursement request and receipts. Read How Automatic Premium Reimbursement Works to learn more.
If you haven't turned on Automatic Premium Reimbursement, you can use Express Reimbursement, which also allows you to be reimbursed for your premium payments without submitting a reimbursement request and receipts. Read Express Reimbursement to learn more.
You can request Recurring Premium Reimbursement for eligible premiums from any insurance carrier when Automatic Premium Reimbursement isn't available and Express Reimbursement isn't selected. Only one reimbursement request is required per calendar year to receive monthly reimbursement. Read Recurring Premium Reimbursement to learn more.
Determine Reimbursement Deadline
You can easily determine if you have a deadline to incur expenses or submit reimbursement requests. There isn't a deadline for you to submit reimbursement requests for the prior year if your former employer allows unused funds to rollover to the next plan year or if new funds can be used to pay for previous year's expenses. Reimbursement Request Deadlines explains how to determine if you have a deadline to incur expenses or submit reimbursement requests.
Establish an Authorized Representative
If you've chosen people to manage your affairs or help you in the event you become incapacitated or pass away, add them to your Via Benefits Profile as authorized representatives. This allows us to speak to them if you're unable to manage your account yourself. Read Authorizing Others to Access Your Information for more information
For more information about your reimbursement account, such as how to qualify for your reimbursement account, your funding allocation, and eligible expenses, read Locating Your Reimbursement Account Details.
*Via Benefits reimbursement accounts are administered by Extend Health, LLC.