Most medical plans don't cover long-term care services such as nursing home care or at-home care to assist with bathing, eating or other activities of daily living. Anyone at any age may need these services, the cost of which can quickly deplete savings or retirement income. The Commonwealth of Virginia (COV) Voluntary Group Long Term Care Insurance Program can help with these costs.

Long Term Care Programs for Active and Retired Members

VRS has contracted with Genworth Life Insurance Co. as the insurer for the program. Participant-paid coverage provides a monthly benefit allowance for covered long-term care expenses.

General Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for coverage in the COV Voluntary Group Long Term Care Insurance Program if you are age 18 or over and a:

  • State employee or faculty member of a Virginia public institution of higher education who works at least 20 hours a week. You do not have to be a VRS member.
  • School division employee or political subdivision employee who works at least 20 hours a week, provided your employer has elected to participate in the program. You do not have to be a VRS member.
  • Deferred VRS member age 75 or under who is vested (you have at least five years of service credit).
  • Retiree age 75 or under receiving a VRS-administered benefit.
  • Retiree of a Virginia public college or university age 75 or under.

Note If you are a deferred VRS member or retiree, your employer is not required to have elected the program. You are subject to full medical underwriting regardless of your age when you apply.

Family members may also apply for coverage if they are between the ages of 18 and 75 and undergo full medical underwriting. Eligible family members include:

  • A spouse or surviving spouse.
  • Adult children.
  • Parents, parents-in-law, step parents and step parents-in-law.
  • Siblings.
  • Grandparents, grandparents-in-law, step grandparents and step grandparents-in-law.

For more information, call Genworth Life toll-free at 866-859-6060 or visit Genworth's website.

Program Features

  • Reduced medical underwriting (proof of good health) if you are age 65 and under and apply within 60 days of employment. Full medical underwriting will be required after 60 days or if you are over age 65.
  • Full medical underwriting is required for any family members who apply, or if you are a VRS deferred member or retiree.
  • At group rates, your premiums may be more affordable. You pay premiums directly to Genworth.
  • If you leave or retire from your position, you may continue your coverage under Genworth. If you are not enrolled, you can apply as a deferred VRS member or retiree.
  • You can choose one of three benefit increase options that will allow you to increase your coverage over time to help protect against the rising cost of care.
  • If you are eligible for the VSDP Long-Term Care Plan or have other long-term care insurance, including the VLDP Long-Term Care Plan, you may be able to coordinate with the voluntary program to obtain even more coverage.

Long Term Care Programs Just for Retirees

VRS has contracted with Genworth Life Insurance Co. as the insurer for the program. Retiree-paid coverage provides a monthly benefit allowance for covered long-term care expenses.

Program Features

  • At group rates, premiums may be more affordable. Retirees pay premiums directly to Genworth.
  • Choose one of three benefit increase options that will increase coverage over time to help protect against the rising cost of care.

Eligibility

You are eligible if you are age 75 or under and are a:

  • Retiree receiving a VRS-administered benefit.
  • Retiree of a Virginia public college or university.
  • Retiree's spouse or surviving spouse.

Your former employer is not required to have elected the program. For more information, call Genworth toll-free at 866-859-6060 or visit Genworth's website.