Retirement: RRA (Retiree Reimbursement Account)

  • 4th Oct 2025
  • 5 min read

You should only read this if you're already on Medicare, or will be soon. Things will change and the following information will become stale over time.

(I started this note with the intention that it would be short. It's been like peeling an onion and unfortunately it's no longer a short note.)

DISCLAIMER: This information is as accurate as I can make on at the time it was published. You should always verify before making financial decisions based on this note.

The RRA (Retiree Reimbursement Account) is available to some retirees who are eligible. I was able to find a document with eligibility information this way:

  1. https://corning.ehr.com
  2. Tools & Resources
  3. View the Resource Library
  4. Benefits Documents
  5. Health SPDs
  6. Retiree Medical SPD

I've linked my version of the document:

Corning Retiree Medical Plan Summary Plan Description

Keep in mind that two people using the same website may be linked to different documents, because of their different eligibility to benefits. I learned this when an IT colleague, who had a brief break in service, and I, were comparing documents. We were both reading what we thought was the same document, but it was not.

IMPORTANT NOTE: I want to be clear!

  1. You need to verify your eligibility with Corning. Don't assume.
  2. I still don't know what the "magic" is that gets you signed up for the RRA. I know at least one retiree who should have been eligible but isn't receiving it. I believe signing up for a AARP/UHC insurance plan using the correct website URL (below) may make it happen.

The RRA is one of those retirement administrative things that still puzzles me. My history:

  1. After I received your Medicare card (and number), I signed up for AARP/UHC "Medigap" and Part D drug coverage via a special website: https://www.myuhcplans.com/corning
  2. When I signed up, I let them draft the premiums from a bank account.
  3. Each month, I see drafts for both bits of insurance, followed by deposits for the same amounts. There's no paperwork.

Here's my new information:

  1. Tony A. and I exchanged notes after I asked how he was using his RRA on a Medicare Advantage plan.
  2. Tony's premium for Medicare Advantage was zero. (In 2025, but he later reported everything is increasing in cost in 2026.)
  3. Tony was able to submit his Medicare Part B premiums for RRA reimbursement and consume it that way.

I was unaware that one could submit expenses for RRA reimbursement. I sent a message via this website asking for information about submitted RRA reimbursement requests:

https://corning.ehr.com

Here's the answer I received:

We are glad to hear you are enjoying your retirement! As far as your RRA question goes, our understanding is that RRA can reimburse Medical/RX premiums and out of pocket health expenses. This should include Medicare Part B premiums. To confirm you will need to speak to the RRA vendor Optum. They can be reached at 877.298.2305 M-F 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM EST. Most likely you will need to provide proof of your Medicare premiums. You may be able to use your Social Security Benefit Award letter or a direct bill from Medicare for your premiums if you are not currently receiving Social Security benefits. Optum should be able to provide a full list of acceptable proof documents and how to submit the claim.

Next I called Optum. They took my email address so they could send me a RRA reimbursement form (linked, but probably should get a fresh one from them if you plan to actually use one.)

RRA Claim Form

The person on the phone said I could log into my Optum Bank account and get information there. Here's the website:

https://www.optumbank.com/

This site uses the same HealthSafe ID setup I was already using for Optum RX.

Sure enough, you can download reimbursement request forms there. I found it very strange that as I write this (Oct 2025), I still have an RRA balance of $496.72. I downloaded all of my RRA transactions for 2025 and saw the following:

  1. Through September 2025, I had $1,609.38 in approved claims. Odd since my RRA total is $1,350.
  2. In January 2025 there's a "Rollover Contribution" of $756.10. No idea where that came from. Maybe my previous year?

Next I sent a message asked where the rollover contribution came from. Apparently unused RRA funds will roll over. On October 1st 2024 the account was funded with $1,350. I didn't spend all of it in 2024 so the rest rolled over.

This new information got me thinking. Could I consume my RRA using Medicare Part B premiums, and shop for non-AARP/UHC Medigap and drug plans? (I realize that changing my Medigap plan now could be difficult.) Are they really my best deal? Would I lose access to my RRA if I did that? I don't have answers, but it's interesting. Given that I could use Medicare Part B premiums to get reimbursed, I could at least shop around for a new Part D drug plan, which I don't think needs to be AARP/UHC any longer. Hmmm.