For your benefit: Flexible spending account options

How do I enroll in a flexible spending account?
Faculty and P&S employees enroll on their annual flexible enrollment form.

Merit employees complete a separate form at the time of hire or annually at the beginning of each year.

What expenses can I claim?
Health Care Spending Account:

• Deductibles & copayments
• Dental expenses
• Vision expenses
• Hearing expenses
• Artificial limbs
• Physical examinations
• Psychoanalysis & psychologist fees
• Psychiatric fees & care (including the cost of supporting a mentally ill dependent at a specifically equipped medical center)
• Chiropractic expenses
• Acupuncture
• Smoking cessation program as prescribed by a physician
• Alcoholism or drug treatment, including meals & lodging if needed
• Prescribed medicine & prescription drugs, including birth control pills
• Licensed massage therapy from a licensed massage therapist (L.M.T.), medical doctor (M.D.), chiropractor (D.C.), or registered nurse (R.N.).

These expenses can be for yourself, your spouse, or your dependents, even if they are not covered under your health or dental plans.

Dependent Care Spending Account:

• Nursery schools
• Licensed day-care centers & before- and/or after-school programs
• Private babysitters
• Institutions that provide custodial care for dependent adults

This account cannot be used to pay an employee’s spouse or child under the age of 19, or anyone who is a dependent on an income tax return. It cannot be used for any overnight camps.

How do I get reimbursed?
Medical claims: Complete the reimbursement form and attach to it the EOB (Explanation of Benefits) received from the insurance company after they process claims.

For massage therapy, submit the reimbursement form along with a receipt from either an L.M.T., M.D., R.N., or D.C. The title must be included, and the receipt must be legible and on letterhead or be an official company receipt. Credit card slips, cash register receipts, and business cards are not acceptable. Taxes and tips should not be included in the cost for service.

Day care claims: Have a receipt signed by the provider specifying for whom care was provided.

When will I be reimbursed?
You’ll be reimbursed approximately two weeks after submitting your claim to the Benefits Office. You can be reimbursed through direct deposit (which requires completing a separate authorization specifically for spending account direct deposit) or a check can be sent directly to you. If you have not received your money by Thursday (for direct deposit) or Saturday (for checks) of the fourth week after submitting a claim, contact the Benefits Office to see if there is a problem.

You can only be reimbursed for dependent care up to the amount available in your account. However, for medical claims, you can be reimbursed up to the maximum amount you will have in your account by the end of the year.

Remember: All services must be provided by Dec. 31 of the current year to be eligible for reimbursement. Claims must be submitted by April of the following year. Changes must be reported to the Benefits Office within 30 days of any event.

For more information on this, and other benefits questions, call (33)5-2676.

[ return to top ] [ home ]