Total Rewards Hub

Total Rewards Hub

Your benefits matter every day—not just during Open Enrollment. This resource provides monthly updates and helpful tips to keep you informed about all aspects of UVA’s Total Rewards program. Explore each month’s topic to make the most of your benefits and ensure your choices support your well-being and future.

Invest in Yourself: UVA Education Benefits Can Help You Reach Your Next Goal!

Mike Duffy in graduation cap and gown with wife Karen in front of the UVA Rotunda.For Michael Duffy, Transportation Operations and Fleet Manager in Facilities Management, earning his bachelor’s degree from UVA was a long-term goal he achieved while working full time. His journey shows what’s possible when you invest in your education—no matter where you are in your career.

Education Benefits by the Numbers

$ 9.4 M

awarded in education benefits during CY 2025

$ 5.6 M

awarded during the first six months of CY 2026

4,157

Employees submitted for ed benefits in CY 2025

Know Before You Apply

  1. Education benefits are available after six months of benefited service.

  2. Apply up to 90 days before a program starts.

  1. Apply up to five months in advance for conferences (Academic Division employees only) to take advantage of early-bird pricing.

  2. Submit requests through Workday Self Service, with approved funds paid directly through your paycheck.

What's Available?

Eligible full-time and part-time benefited employees can access:

  • Up to $5,250 annually in tax-free tuition assistance for degree programs ranging from associate's degrees to doctorates.
  • Up to $2,000 annually for professional development (Academic Division employees). Combined tuition and professional development funding cannot exceed $5,250 annually.
  • Up to $375 annually for professional certifications for Medical Center team members, or $500 for RNs.

Ready to take the next step? Explore UVA's education benefits and start planning your next learning opportunity today.

Reminder: The deadline to submit education benefit requests for calendar year 2026 funding is December 4, 2026.

Previously Featured Topics

Missed last month’s article? No worries—we’ve summarized the key points below so you can quickly get the essential information and start taking advantage of your total rewards right away.

  • May - Mental Health Treatment Available Seven Days a Week

    Register for Mental Health Treatment Available Seven Days a Week 

    We are happy to support employees and team members through confidential consultations with FEAP, most of which are scheduled within three days of a request. We are also proud that FEAP provides Crisis and Care Coordination for emergencies that occur after hours.

    Still, we recognize that mental health needs do not always arise during the workday or in moments of crisis. Sometimes, you may simply need someone to talk to right away—whether it’s on the weekend, after hours, or during a difficult moment that cannot wait.

    This is why registering for Teladoc Health can help ensure hassle-free access to virtual mental health services seven days a week. While these services are not free, members enrolled in the UVA Health Plan may access them at the following costs:

    Teladoc Mental Health Visit Costs

    Plan Cost
    UVA PPO $40 per visit
    UVA Out-of-Area PPO $25 per visit
    Choice Health Plan Full visit fee until deductible is met, then 15% coinsurance
    Health Savings Plan Full visit fee until deductible is met, then 20% coinsurance

    Estimated Service Costs Before Plan Cost-Sharing

    • Therapy Visits: Up to $90
    • Initial Psychiatry Visit: Up to $215
    • Ongoing Psychiatry Visits: Up to $100

    Teladoc logo on the left, “Click to Register” button in the center, and a woman waving at a screen on the right.

    When you're already registered you have access to licensed therapists and psychiatrists for stress, anxiety, depression, and medication management whenever necessary.

    Register now!

  • April - A1A Team is Here to Support you

    How the UVA Aetna One Advocate (A1A) Team is here to support you

    The UVA A1A Team is your dedicated partner in navigating your UVA health benefits and getting the care you need—when you need it. From the first point of contact, the UVA A1A Advocates are there to listen, understand your situation, and help guide you to the right resources, saving you time, stress, and unnecessary steps along the way.

    Using smart tools and personalized insight, the UVA A1A Advocates quickly identify your needs and connect you with the right experts, including pharmacists, behavioral health specialists, social workers, and other trusted partners who are built into your health plan benefits. These referrals aren’t one‑off handoffs—they are part of a coordinated, thoughtful approach designed to support your whole health.

    Whether you need help finding a provider, scheduling an appointment, understanding your benefits, or overcoming barriers to care, the UVA A1A team is here to help make the healthcare experience easier and more seamless. Their goal is simple: to remove obstacles, reduce confusion, and help you feel supported at every step as you and your family navigate the healthcare system.

    The UVA A1A Team is available from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. EST, Monday-Friday and 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST Saturdays.

    The Aetna Health℠ app

    Your Aetna® member website:

    1. Go to Aetna.com to create an account or log in to your member website.
    2. Add a contact in your mobile devices titled “Aetna” with number 959.230.7317 
    3. This will help ensure calls from your UVA A1A team aren’t blocked or goes to spam on your mobile device.

    or: Call - 800.987.9072

    UVA A1A Resources

    • Health and wellness support
    • One team focused on your needs.
    • And that’s exactly how it should be

  • March - Summer is Closer than We Think (Child Care Resources)

    Start Thinking About Summer Child Care

    With the school year starting to wind down, now is a good time to start thinking about childcare for school-age children for a smoother transition into summer break.
    Visit the Dependent Care Resources page to help you explore UVA-affiliated programs and community resources. These tools include help locating summer camps, day programs, and other caregiving needs.
    Additionally, if your retirement account is managed through Fidelity, you may also have access to a Wellthy Care Coordinator, who can help research and organize summer care options for your family.

    UVA’s got your back.

    UVA offers 15 days of subsidized back-up care through Bright Horizons to help benefits-eligible employees navigate changes in caregiving plans for dependents of any age.
    Find more information on the Dependent Care Resources page, and consider registering ahead of time, so it’s ready when you need it. 

  • February - February is for Smiles

    person smiling

    Here's How to Use Your UVA Dental Benefits Wisely

    At the University of Virginia, we offer comprehensive dental benefits through United Concordia that help support your oral health and encourage lifelong healthy habits.

    How to Find an In-Network Dentist

    UVA’s dental plans include coverage for routine cleanings, exams, X-rays, and more. Preventive dental care, including twice-yearly cleanings, is typically covered at 100% when you see a participating in-network dentist, helping you avoid gum disease and other oral health issues.

    If you don’t have a regular dentist, you can easily find one using United Concordia’s online tool:

    1. Visit United Concordia’s Find a Dentist Tool
    2. Select the “Elite Prime” network from the drop-down menu.
    3. Enter your location to find nearby in-network providers.

    Did You Know? UVA Has Its Own Dental Practice

    • In addition to helping you find a dentist through your benefits, UVA also provides dental care through its own clinical practice! The UVA Health Dentistry clinic in Charlottesville delivers a range of dental services from preventive care and periodontal treatment to restorations, implants, and oral surgery with experienced practitioners.

    How to Use FSA Dollars for Dental Expenses

    • If you participate in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can use those pre-tax dollars to pay for many dental expenses not fully covered by insurance. This includes copays, deductibles, fillings, crowns, orthodontics, night guards, periodontal treatment, and even certain preventive care upgrades. Using your FSA can help lower your out-of-pocket costs and make it easier to stay on top of both routine and unexpected dental needs throughout the year.

    Taking care of your teeth is one of the simplest ways to support your overall health, and staying consistent with preventive dental care helps you maintain a bright, healthy smile all year long.

  • January - Start the Year Strong

    Start the Year Strong - Plan Well, Live Well, Achieve Well

    Start 2025 strong by reviewing your UVA health benefits and making sure your care works for you.

    Woman getting a check-up, blood pressure measured

    Check your coverage and providers through Aetna, consider UVA Employee Primary Care (you can make an appointment using MyChart) or Teladoc Virtual Primary Care for convenient visits. Once you complete your annual physical and record it in the Hoo’s Well portal, you’ll earn $100 in Hoo’s Well rewards.

    We encourage you to stay current on preventive screenings, which are covered at no cost in-network. These include Mammogram, Colorectal Cancer Screening, Cervical Screening, and Prostate Screening.

    Finally, be sure to use Hoo’s Well coaching and on-demand well-being resources to support your health and well-being all year long.

    UVA Health Plan Webpage