Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Overview
What is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)?
A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) is a type of healthcare account funded and sponsored entirely by your employer. Your HRA is designed to reimburse a designated portion of your eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses as determined by your employer.
Is the HRA part of my medical plan?
No. The HRA is not insurance and is not part of your medical plan. Your HRA is a separate fund offered under separate terms and conditions as defined by your employer.
What expenses are eligible for reimbursement by my HRA?
Unlike a healthcare FSA where the IRS defines the eligible services, your employer defines the services eligible for reimbursement from an HRA. Please review your Plan Benefit Summary to see what services are considered eligible. Your Plan Benefit Summary is available to you in the Member Portal under Member Resources.
Can my family use my HRA plan?
Your employer determines who is eligible for benefits under your HRA plan. Your HRA plan may or may not cover your dependents. Please contact your employer to determine if your dependents are covered under your HRA plan.
What are the tax advantages of an HRA?
Reimbursements made from your employer through the HRA are not considered part of your income and are not taxed.
Who can put money in my HRA?
According to IRS rules, HRAs are fully owned, defined and funded by your employer. Employees cannot contribute to an HRA plan.
How much money is in my HRA?
Your employer determines how much money will be in your HRA plan. You can view your available balance in the Member Portal in your Personal Dashboard.
What is the HRA plan year?
Your HRA plan is fully customizable by your employer. As such, please refer to your Benefit Account Summary in the Member Portal.
What happens to the HRA funds I do not use at the end of the plan year?
Any unused amounts left in the accounts at the end of the plan period may or may not be carried over into the next plan period depending on your plan. Please refer to your Plan Benefit Summary in the Member Portal under Member Resources to determine if your plan offers roll-over. Please note that any unused funds remaining will not be dispersed to you at the end of the plan year.
If I terminate employment or retire, can I receive the remaining balance in my HRA?
Since your HRA is funded by your employer, the funds in your HRA belong to your employer when you resign, retire, or are terminated. Please view your Summary Plan Description (SPD) or contact your employer for your specific rights to continue coverage when you leave your job or submit claims for expenses that have already been incurred. You may be entitled to elect COBRA continuation coverage under the HRA and receive reimbursement for eligible HRA expenses incurred after your termination. You must be eligible and make the required COBRA premium payment.
How can I get more details about my employer’s HRA Plan?
Your Plan Benefit Summary provides details regarding your employer’s HRA plan. This document is available to you in the Member Portal under Member Resources.
What is a deductible?
A deductible is a specific dollar amount that you must pay before your major medical plan begins to cover your expenses.
There are two types of deductibles when your family is covered under your medical plan:
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Embedded deductible.
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Aggregate deductible.
What is an embedded family deductible?
Embedded deductibles have two components: the individual deductibles for each family member and the family deductible.
With an embedded deductible, no single individual in a family must pay a deductible higher than the individual deductible. When a family member meets their individual deductible, the insurer will begin paying according the plan’s coverage for that member. Once the amounts paid towards individual deductibles meets the total family deductible, everyone in the family is eligible for after-deductible benefits for the rest of the year.
What is an aggregate family deductible?
A non-embedded or aggregate deductible is simpler than embedded deductible. With a non-embedded deductible, there is only a family deductible. All family members’ individual deductible expenses count toward the family deductible until it is met, and then they are all covered with the health plan’s usual copays or coinsurance. It doesn’t matter if one person incurs all the expenses that meet the deductible or if two or more family members contribute toward meeting the family deductible.
What is a copayment?
A fixed amount (for example, $10) you pay for a covered health care service, usually when you receive the service. The amount can vary by the type of covered health care service.
What is coinsurance?
Your share of the costs of a covered health care service, calculated as a percentage (for example, 20%) of the allowed amount for the service.
What is an allowed amount?
The allowed amount is the maximum payment the plan will pay for a covered health care service. The allowed amount also be called "eligible expense", "payment allowance", or "negotiated rate.” The allowed amount for services is always determined by your insurer; please contact your insurer directly to obtain the allowed amount for a service. The allowed amount for services will always be listed on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB).
What is an out-of-pocket limit?
The out-of-pocket limit is the most you could pay during a coverage period (usually one year) for your share of the costs of covered services. After you meet this limit the plan will usually pay 100% of the allowed amount. This limit helps you plan for health care costs. This limit never includes your premium, balance-billed charges or health care your plan doesn’t cover. Some plans don’t count all of your copayments, deductibles, coinsurance payments, out-of-network payments, or other expenses toward this limit.
What is balance billing?
When a provider bills you for the balance remaining on the bill that your plan doesn’t cover. This amount is the difference between the actual billed amount and the allowed amount. For example, if the provider’s charge is $200 and the allowed amount is $110, the provider may bill you for the remaining $90. This happens most often when you see an out-of-network provider (non-preferred provider). A network provider (preferred provider) may not bill you for covered services.
What is an Explanation of Benefits (EOB)?
An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is a document you receive from your insurer after you visit a provider. It is not a bill, but rather an explanation of what procedures were performed and what was covered by your insurance plan. Your EOB will also include an update on how much of your annual maximum has been used and the amount you've paid toward your deductible.
Please contact your medical insurer to obtain copies of your EOBs. Your EOBs are typically sent to you in the mail after your insurer has processed your claim. Most insurers will make your EOBs available on-demand online through their member website.
Benefit Debit Cards
How does my benefit debit card work?
Your HRA may provide you the convenience of a pre-loaded and pre-activated benefit card that can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses covered under the plan provided by your employer. The benefit card allows you to access the funds in your HRA without having to complete and file claims for reimbursement.
Not all HRA plans offer benefit cards. Please review your Plan Benefit Summary to see if your HRA plan offers a debit card. Your Plan Benefit Summary is available to you in the Member Portal under Member Resources.
What do I need to do to receive the benefit card?
If your employer offers its employees the option of a benefit card, you will automatically receive a card and will not need to complete additional paperwork.
How do I use my benefit card?
Your benefit card is used just like a credit card. At the point of sale terminal select the credit option to sign your purchase receipt.
Do I need a PIN number to use my benefit card?
Your benefit card does not have a PIN number. Your card is used just like a credit card. At the point of sale terminal select the credit option to sign your purchase receipt.
Do I have to activate my benefit card?
You do not have to activate your benefit card. Simply sign the back of your card and keep it in a safe place.
Where can I use my benefit card?
Your benefit card is only for qualified medical expenses covered under the HRA plan provided by your employer as described in your Plan Benefit Summary. Your Plan Benefit Summary is available to you in the Member Portal under Member Resources.
Charges for anything not covered by your HRA plan will be denied. Marin Benefits will notify you if any ineligible purchases are made with your benefit card, and your card may be deactivated until we determine if the charge is valid or a refund has been received for ineligible purchases.
What happens if I am at medical facility and I forget my benefit card?
If you are at a medical facility and you don’t have your benefit card, you will have to either pay out-of-pocket using your own funds, or request that the provider send you a bill through the mail (we recommended the latter):
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If your provider sends you a bill, you can use your card to pay the provider online, over the phone or through the mail. Simply use your card number for payment.
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If you pay the charge out-of-pocket using your own funds, submit a claim for reimbursement.
Do I need to save my receipts?
Please save all of your itemized receipts when using your benefit card. For some expenses, Marin Benefits may request additional information, including receipts, to verify eligibility of the expense and comply with IRS rules. That’s why it’s important for you to save all receipts and submit them promptly to Marin Benefits when requested.
What do I do if my benefit card is declined?
If your benefit card is declined, please contact Client Services at (415) 526-1401. Your card will decline if your account does not have enough funding remaining to cover a charge, if you are attempting to use your card for ineligible purchases, or if your card has been reported as lost or stolen.
What happens if I misplace my benefit card?
If you misplace your benefit card, please email or call Marin Benefits at (415) 526-1401 immediately. If you call outside of our office hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, Pacific Time, please leave us a detailed message and we will reply as quickly as possible on the following business day. Your lost card will be deactivated and a replacement card will be ordered as soon as possible.
When will I receive my benefit card?
You will receive your benefit card in the mail from Marin Benefits upon your initial enrollment. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for it to arrive after you are enrolled.
My HRA plan also covers my dependents. Will they receive a benefit card?
Enrolled dependents over the age of 18 will always receive their own benefit card. For plans where your medical deductible is embedded, all dependents will be issued a card regardless of age. If your medical deductible is not embedded dependent under the age of 18 was not issued a card, their expenses can be payed-for using the subscriber’s card.
What if there is not enough money in my account to cover an eligible expense?
In most cases your transaction will be denied. Transactions will only be authorized up to the amount of your available account balance.
How long is my benefit card good for?
Your benefit card is good for up to three years. Please hang on to it. Even if you use up this year’s funds, you’ll be able to use your card again next year if you re-enroll in the HRA plan.
Am I able to put more money into my account once I use all the available funds on my benefit card?
HRAs are funded by your employer only. Employees cannot contribute to an HRA plan. Once your account is depleted, you won’t be able to use the benefit card for the remainder of the plan year. You’ll be responsible for paying for any additional out-of-pocket costs.
Marin Benefits sent me a letter about a benefit card charge. What do I need to do?
Marin Benefits may send you a letter to substantiate transactions made with your benefit card to ensure they are for approved expenses under your plan. You may submit documentation to substantiate card transactions to Marin Benefits via mail, fax or online through the secure member portal. If you have any questions regarding a letter you received from Marin Benefits, please contact Client Services at (415) 526-1401, or email us at support@marinbenefits.com.
Where can I find the “Terms and Conditions” for use of the benefit card?
The “Terms and Conditions” for use of the benefit card are outlined on the Cardholder Agreement that accompanies your card. By signing and using the card, you agree to use the card in conjunction with those rules.
Member Portal
How do I register for the Member Portal?
Please click here to go to the Member Portal.
Step 1: Click the Member Register button atop the right corner of the home screen.
Step 2: Complete the registration form:
Employee ID is your Social Security Number with no spaces or dashes.
Employer ID can be found on your Plan Benefit Summary or obtained by contacting Marin Benefits. If you have a benefits card, the card number can also be used in place of the Employer ID in the registration ID field.
Step 3. After successfully completing the registration form, click register. The process may take several seconds. Do not click your browser’s back button or refresh the page.
Please note, the name listed in our system must match your registration input exactly. For example, if you are enrolled as “Michael” and attempt to register as “Mike” the system will not allow you to enroll.
How do I view my account balance in the Member Portal?
The My Accounts tab is where you can access basic account information and manage your HRA account. You can submit and track claims, view account balances, change reimbursement settings and more from the tab.
How do I submit a claim through the Member Portal?
When submitting a claim electronically, select Claims in the Menu. Select Add New and fill out the required transaction information. Be sure to upload a copy of your medical receipts and/or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your medical carrier.
How do I enroll in direct deposit in the Member Portal?
To enroll in direct deposit, select Get Reimbursed Faster on the Personal Dashboard, or select Reimbursement Settings from My Accounts in the Menu. Select Edit to change your default reimbursement method from check to direct deposit, and provide your bank account information. You can also enroll in Direct Deposit by submitting a Direct Deposit Authorization Form.
How do I substantiate a pending benefit card charge?
To substantiate a benefit card transaction, select Pending Claims under My Accounts in the Menu. Click the upload icon under receipt next to a pending card charge, upload your receipt and click save. Marin Benefits will review your documentation, and approved claims that have been substantiated will no longer be listed.
How do I reset my password?
My Info in the Menu contains information pertaining to your account and login credentials. Here, you will be able to adjust information in your account, including username, password, and contact information.
My account is locked. How do I get back into the portal?
If your account is locked please contact us for assistance.
How do I download the free Marin Benefits mobile app?
Search for “Marin Benefits” in the iTunes or Google Play store. Please note the credentials for the mobile app are the same as the web based portal.
Requesting Reimbursement from your HRA
How can I submit a claim to Marin Benefits?
There are four (4) easy ways to submit claims to Marin Benefits:
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Online through the secure Member Portal.
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Via fax using our Claim Reimbursement Form.
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Mail using our Claim Reimbursement Form.
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Email to claims@marinbenefits.com. Please be advised that submitting claims via email may risk exposing your healthcare information – we will accept claims sent via email, but we always recommend submitting claims via the secure Member Portal.
Where can I get a claim reimbursement form?
Claim forms are available here. Simple submission instructions are included on the form.
What supporting documentation must I submit with each HRA claim?
Please attach a copy of your receipt/statement detailing the services provided, date of service, and the total out-of-pocket expense. For expenses that apply to your deductible or co-insurance you must submit a copy of the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from your insurance carrier.
How long does the reimbursement process take?
Please allow up to 2 weeks for processing and payment of your reimbursement. Failure to provide appropriate documentation substantiating your claim may result in delays in the processing of your reimbursements.
Are reimbursement payments made to me (the member), or to my provider?
Marin Benefits always reimburses you, the member. We will not remit payment to your provider.
What happens if my claim is denied?
If a portion or all of your claim has been denied, you will receive a letter from Marin Benefits explaining the reason your claim has been denied. If your claim requires additional documentation for approval, your letter will include instructions for what to re-submit. If you have any questions regarding the letter, please contact us.
What happens if the amount I request for reimbursement is larger than my available account balance?
Reimbursement requests that exceed your account balance will be reimbursed up to the amount available in the account.
How long do I have to submit reimbursement requests?
Generally, you have 90 days from: 1) the end of the plan year, or 2) the date you leave employment to submit requests for expenses incurred in a prior plan year. Check with your employer as the number of days may vary by plan.
Miscellaneous
How do I authorize someone to speak to Marin Benefits on my behalf?
If you would like to authorize recipient(s) to be able to contact Marin Benefits to discuss your benefits and detailed information about your account, please complete and return an Authorization for Use or Disclosure of Protected Health Information Form.