Health Plans

Eligibility

Employees are eligible for coverage if they are full-time or part-time salaried staff, or full-time or part-time salaried faculty. Eligible dependents may also be covered. Retirees, disability participants, and survivors may also be eligible for coverage.

All regular and restricted part-time salaried faculty and staff (20-29 hours) are eligible to participate in the health insurance plans with no state contribution toward the premium.

Employees may choose the type of membership:

• Employee single – covers only the employee
• Employee plus one – covers the employee and one eligible dependent
• Family – covers the employee and two or more eligible dependents

More information about eligibility is available. 

Enrollment

Initial Enrollment

The initial enrollment period for new employees is 30 days from the official hire date found on the offer letter. The effective date is the first day of the first full month of employment. 

New employees are encouraged to complete their initial enrollment via Cardinal HCM, the online health administration system for the state of Virginia. Learn more about Cardinal.

Initial enrollment can also be done by completing the State Benefits Enrollment Form and submitting it to Human Resources. We recommend utilizing the secure online dropbox to submit.

Open Enrollment

The Open Enrollment period is held during the first two weeks in May each year. The effective date for any changes made is July 1.

Employees are encouraged to utilize Cardinal HCM for Open Enrollment. Learn more about Cardinal.

Open Enrollment changes can also be made by completing the State Benefits Enrollment Form and submitting it to Human Resources. We recommend utilizing the secure online dropbox to submit.

Qualifying Mid-Year Events

Certain qualifying events allow employees to make changes outside of the annual open enrollment period. These election changes must be made within 60 days of the event, and the change must be consistent with the event. The effective date varies based on the event. Documentation is required to add dependents to a plan. Further information regarding documentation, as well as what changes can be made for each qualifying mid-year event, can be found here.

Some changes for qualifying mid-year events can be made in Cardinal HCM. These events include:

• Marriage
• Divorce
• Birth or adoption of a child

Learn more about Cardinal.

Changes for all other qualifying mid-year events must be made by completing the State Benefits Enrollment Form and submitting it to Human Resources. We recommend utilizing the secure online dropbox to submit.

Health Plans Offered

The 2024-2025 Spotlight on Benefits document produced by the state Department of Human Resource Management provides a snapshot of key features of the different health plans listed below.

• COVA Care is available state-wide and is administered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. The COVA Care plan offers buy-up options to enhance the coverage provided under the basic plan. COVA Care is also available to Virginia Tech employees who live outside of the state of Virginia and outside of the United States.
• COVA High Deductible Health Plan is available state-wide and is administered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. This plan is eligible for a Health Savings Account (HSA) through a financial institution of your choosing.
• COVA HealthAware is available state-wide and is administered by Aetna. The COVA HealthAware basic plan offers buy-up options to enhance the coverage provided under the basic plan. A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is provided to participants and enrolled spouses by the Department of Human Resources Management to assist with a portion of the high deductible of this plan. Contributions are prorated based on enrollment date.
• Tricare Supplement Plan is administered by Selman and Company. The Tricare Supplement Plan is available only to Tricare eligible employees. 
• Sentara Health Plans Vantage HMO (formerly Optima Health Vantage) is available to eligible employees living and/ or working in the Greater Hampton Roads region. 
• Kaiser Permanente is available to eligible employees living and/or working in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and parts of Maryland. The plan area extends to Faquier County.  

Not sure which health plan is the best for you?
Talk to ALEX, an online benefits tool that evaluates your input and recommends a plan tailored just for you. Consult ALEX, your online benefits counselor for recommendations on a plan that is tailored to your needs. On your smartphone, use ALEX-GO.

Need help finding a provider or pricing a medication? View the instructions for Non-Member Provider Search and Prescription Drug Pricing.

Employee Assistance

Each of these plans offer employee assistance programs which include up to four sessions for mental health, grief counseling, and legal or financial services (per plan member) at no charge.

Plan Brochures

• CovaCare
• Cova HDHP
• Cova HealthAware
• Sentara Health Plans (formerly Optima Health Vantage)
• Kaiser Permanente

Monthly Premiums

Premiums for July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025

Employees have the option to reduce their monthly health insurance premiums by participating in the Premium Rewards Program. Enrollment and participation in an eligible health insurance plan is required to qualify. Visit the Premium Rewards FAQs for more information.

Pre-existing Conditions

Pre-existing conditions are covered under an employee’s health plan. Employees do not have to satisfy a waiting period before services for pre-existing conditions are covered.

Coordination of Benefits

Coordination of benefits (COB) rules apply when employees or members of their family have additional health care coverage. The employee will receive and be required to complete an annual Coordination of Benefits questionnaire. Claim payments will be withheld until the completed questionnaire is received.

COBRA

Under a federal law called the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), employees and eligible covered dependents may continue group health benefits when coverage is lost due to a qualifying event. Qualifying events include:

• The termination of an employee (not considered gross misconduct), or the reduction of hours of a covered employee's employment
• The divorce of a covered employee from the employee's spouse
• A dependent child losing eligibility

Employees must notify Human Resources through a submitted State Benefits Enrollment Form within 60 days of a divorce.

Cobra Premiums for July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024