The hazardous duty supplement amount is evaluated by the VRS actuary every two years. Any increases are made on July 1 and first appear in the August benefit payment for eligible members. The monthly supplement begins at retirement and continues until normal retirement age under Social Security, or until age 65 for eligible VaLORS members. You can defer retirement and still be eligible for the supplement.

Eligibility

You are eligible for the supplement if you retired with at least 20 years of hazardous duty service credit with:

  • The State Police Officers’ Retirement System (SPORS), or
  • The Virginia Law Officers’ Retirement System (VaLORS), with the 1.7% multiplier, or
  • As a VRS-covered sheriff, deputy sheriff, regional jail superintendent, or sworn officer of a regional jail, or
  • In a hazardous duty position with a political subdivision offering enhanced coverage.

You are not eligible for the supplement if:

  • You are at your normal Social Security retirement age or older,
  • You are age 65 or older if you are a VaLORS member at retirement,
  • You retire on disability.

Beneficiaries and survivors are not eligible for the supplement.

Qualifying for the Supplement

Service that counts toward hazardous duty supplement eligibility includes:

  • Service in a VRS-covered position eligible for enhanced hazardous duty coverage
  • Service with a VRS-participating political subdivision that does not provide enhanced coverage, provided you retire from a position eligible for the supplement
  • Prior service credit for refunded VRS hazardous duty service or for an eligible period of leave while covered under VRS in a hazardous duty position provided you purchase or are granted this service.

Service that does not count towards eligibility for the supplement:

  • Active duty military service
  • Hazardous duty service with a non-VRS participating employer

If you are a state employee in VRS Plan 1, VRS Plan 2 or the Hybrid Retirement Plan, the State Police Officers' Retirement System (SPORS) or the Virginia Law Officers' Retirement System (VaLORS) and participate in the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP), you are covered under the VSDP Long-Term Care Plan at no cost to you. Long-term care services provide help with everyday life tasks because of a prolonged health problem or following a major illness, injury or surgery. This loss of independence can affect people of all ages. Without long-term care coverage, the cost of these services can quickly deplete savings or retirement income.

Plan Highlights

Services

The VSDP Long-Term Care Plan covers nursing home care, hospice care, assisted living care, community-based care and at-home care, among other services. Your caregiver also may be eligible for assistance under the plan. The maximum daily benefit amount is $96 with a lifetime maximum of $70,080. If you are eligible for the Commonwealth of Virginia (COV) Voluntary Group Long Term Care Insurance Program or have other long-term care insurance, you may be able to coordinate with the VSDP Long-Term Care Plan to obtain even more coverage.

Plan Sponsor

The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) manages the long-term care program as part of the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP).

Plan Administrator

VRS has contracted with illumifin Corp. to administer benefits under the plan. For more information about your coverage or to apply for benefits, contact illumifin Corp. toll free at 1-800-761-4057, or P.O. Box 64011, St. Paul, Minnesota 55164-0011.

Eligible Participants

You are covered under the VSDP long-term care plan if you participate in the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program (VSDP).

Benefit Eligibility

You are eligible for benefits when a licensed health care practitioner certifies that you:

  • Are unable to perform at least two of six Activities of Daily Living without substantial assistance; or
  • Have a severe cognitive impairment requiring substantial supervision.

Daily Benefit Maximum Amount

$96 per day. This is the maximum amount of coverage the plan will pay for covered services in any single day.

Lifetime Maximum Amount

$70,080. The lifetime maximum amount is based on the maximum daily benefit amount of $96 multiplied by 730 days (two years): $96 x 730 days = $70,080. Your coverage ceases when your total benefit payouts reach $70,080, regardless of how long you receive benefits.

Premiums

Free of charge as a VSDP participant.

How Benefits are Paid

Your coverage pays a benefit equal to the lesser of:

  • Actual qualified expenses incurred per day; or
  • Allowable daily benefit amount.

Waiting Period

Your benefits are payable 90 calendar days after the beginning of each incident certified by a licensed health care practitioner as eligible for VSDP long-term care benefits.

Portability

If you leave your VSDP-covered position, you have the option to continue coverage in the VSDP Long-Term Care Program at group rates. You must elect to continue your coverage within 60 days of leaving VSDP-covered employment. Call illumifin Corp. toll free at 1-800-761-4057. You will be billed directly for the premiums. For more information, see If You Leave Your Position.

Plan Benefits

Note Your coverage pays the lesser of actual qualified expenses incurred per day or the allowable daily benefit amount.

Nursing Care Facility

  • Up to 100% of the maximum daily benefit amount of $96.
  • Provides skilled and custodial care in a nursing care facility that meets all applicable licensing requirements.

Assisted Living Facility

  • Up to 100% of the maximum daily benefit amount of $96.
  • Personal services and care in an assisted living facility that meets all applicable licensing requirements.

Hospice Care Facility

  • Up to 50% of the maximum daily benefit amount ($48).
  • Provides care if you are terminally ill in a hospice facility that meets all applicable licensing requirements.

Home Health Care

  • Up to 50% of the maximum daily benefit amount ($48).
  • Custodial care, nursing care, therapy and homemaker services provided in your home by nurses, social workers, home health aides or other licensed or certified practitioners.

Adult Day Care Center

  • Up to 50% of the maximum daily benefit amount ($48).
  • Community-based, group setting for adults.

Hospice Care Agency

  • Up to 50% of the maximum daily benefit amount ($48).
  • Provides care if you are terminally ill in your home by a hospice care agency that meets all applicable licensing requirements.

Alternate Plan Benefit

  • Up to 50% of the maximum daily benefit amount ($48).
  • May cover an Alternate Plan of Care developed by your licensed health care practitioner, provided you, your physician and illumifin Corp. agree to the plan.

Transitional Care

One-time cash payment equal to three times the maximum daily benefit amount ($288) to support your transition from independent living to long-term care. You may use this one-time payment in any way you wish.

Note This benefit does not reduce your lifetime maximum benefit.

Informal Care Benefit

Up to 25% of the maximum daily benefit amount ($24) for up to 50 days per calendar year to provide for personal care from a family member, neighbor or private caregiver you hire.

Note This benefit does not reduce your lifetime maximum benefit.

Informal Caregiver Training

One payment each time you are receiving benefits to provide for the training of your personal caregiver by a licensed health care practitioner. The payment is equal to the lesser of the actual amount of the cost of training or three times the maximum daily benefit amount ($288).

Note This benefit does not reduce your lifetime maximum benefit.

Bed Reservation

If you are in a covered facility, such as a nursing home, and you have to be hospitalized, the plan covers up to 100% of the maximum daily benefit amount ($96) for up to 21 days per calendar year.

Respite Care

Up to 50% of the maximum daily benefit amount ($48) for up to 21 days per calendar year to provide for a substitute in-home caregiver while your usual caregiver is on leave.

Note This benefit does not reduce your lifetime maximum benefit.

Additional Plan Features

Care Advisory Services

Helps identify long-term care services and programs available in your area that can best meet your care needs. Services provided by care advisors are voluntary.

Future Purchase Inflation Protection

Your coverage is automatically adjusted for inflation on a 5% compound basis of your daily benefit amount at least every five years.

World-Wide Coverage

If you incur charges for services equivalent to those covered under this plan outside the United States, its territories or Canada, you will be reimbursed for these charges. The amount of the reimbursement will equal the benefit amounts allowable under your plan for up to 365 days of services.

Applying

How to Apply

VRS has contracted with illumifin Corp. to coordinate your benefits under the plan. Contact illumifin Corp. toll-free at 1-800-761-4057 within 60 days of being certified as eligible for benefits. A family member or friend may call on your behalf. To learn more about qualifying for benefits, plan highlights, plan features and coverage after you leave employment, review the VSDP Handbook for Participants.