Is Government Employees Association (GEA) an Insurance Company?

No, Government Employees Association (GEA) is not an insurance company. GEA is a private, nonprofit membership association that sponsors group supplemental insurance benefits for eligible members. The insurance policies are written by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company, and day-to-day administration is handled by SelmanCo.

Is GEA an Insurance Company?

GEA is best described as a plan sponsor and member association, not an insurance carrier, broker, agency, or third-party administrator. In other words, GEA helps make certain supplemental insurance plans available to eligible members, but it does not “become the insurer” that takes on the risk of paying claims.

What GEA Is

• A nonprofit, tax-exempt membership association founded in 1965.
• A plan sponsor for certain supplemental insurance offerings (for example, TRICARE and CHAMPVA Supplemental Insurance plans).
• A private organization, not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.

What GEA Is Not

• Not a government regulated insurance carrier.
• Not an insurance agency, broker, or administrator.

Who Is the Actual Insurance Company Behind GEA-Sponsored Plans?

• Underwriter (the insurance company): Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company
• Administrator (handles billing/claims support/plan operations): Selman & Company (SelmanCo)
• Plan sponsor: Government Employees Association (GEA)

Think of it like a three-part system:

• GEA sponsors and makes access available through membership.
• The Hartford is the insurer that underwrites the policy.
• SelmanCo runs administration and provides member support.

Why People Confuse GEA With an Insurance Company

This confusion is common because GEA’s website discusses insurance plans and enrollment. But talking about benefits is not the same as being a regulated insurance carrier.

Here’s a quick test:

• If an organization underwrites the policy, it’s acting as the insurance company.
• If an organization sponsors access for a member group, it’s typically a plan sponsor or association.

GEA falls into the second category.

Where The Plans Are Regulated

GEA itself is not a government-regulated insurance carrier, but the insurance products it promotes are regulated at the state level, and the underwriter and administrator operate within insurance compliance requirements.

Example: CHAMPVA Costs and What a Supplement Is Designed to Do

CHAMPVA is a VA program that shares costs for covered services; it does not necessarily pay 100% of allowable charges. Federal regulation describes beneficiary cost share as 25% of the CHAMPVA allowable amount (after deductible rules and exceptions) in many cases.

A CHAMPVA Supplemental Insurance Plan is generally positioned to help with eligible cost-sharing amounts left behind by the primary program, but it typically does not pay when the primary program denies coverage for a non-covered service.

How Claims Typically Work

From the member experience:

1. Your provider submits the claim (often automatically).
2. CHAMPVA or TRICARE (depending on plan type) makes the primary determination.
3. The supplement reviews for eligible cost-sharing reimbursements based on that primary decision.
4. Members can reach out to the administrator for claim questions and guidance.

How To Verify Coverage, Eligibility, And Claims Status

For GEA TRICARE and CHAMPVA Supplemental Insurance Plans, members can typically verify coverage or check claims through SelmanCo’s customer resources or phone support.

FAQs

Is Government Employees Association (GEA) an insurance company?

No. GEA is a nonprofit membership association and plan sponsor. The insurance is underwritten by Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company and administered by SelmanCo.

Is GEA a government agency?

No. GEA is a private nonprofit organization and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.

Who actually underwrites the policies?

Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company underwrites the TRICARE/CHAMPVA supplemental policies referenced for these plans.

Who administers the plans?

SelmanCo administers the plans and provides customer support and claims assistance.

Learn More About GEA

If you are a current or retired government employee (federal, state, or local) exploring supplemental coverage options, you can review the programs GEA sponsors and learn what’s available through membership on our website.