Benefits

The DHRM Flexible Spending Account (FSA) website includes links to the sourcebook and other information on Flexible Spending Accounts.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) are an IRS approved, employer sponsored benefit that allows you to pay for eligible medical and/or dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis. You authorize per pay period deposits to your FSA from your salary before taxes. As you incur eligible expenses, you request tax-free withdrawals from your accounts to reimburse yourself. There are two kinds of FSAs:

• Medical expense FSA
• Dependent care FSA

For a list of eligible expenses, please go to InspiraFinancial.com.

Why do I need it? To save money! An FSA saves you money by reducing your taxable income. Your contribution to your FSA is deducted from your salary on a pre-tax basis. Over a year's time, you will most likely spend some of your salary on medical or dependent care expenses. You can save money on taxes by contributing that amount directly into your Flexible Spending Account.

Unless your itemized medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income, you cannot claim them on your IRS Form 1040. But you can save taxes by paying for your out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by your health benefits plan through a tax-free Medical Expense FSA.

Medical Spending Accounts may be used to pay for expenses that are not covered under your medical, dental, vision and prescription plans. Items such as co-payments, deductibles, some over-the-counter medications that you would otherwise pay for out of your pocket with after-tax dollars can be paid for with your medical reimbursement account. This will not only save you money, but will give you access to your entire reimbursement account on the first day of the fiscal year. The maximum annual amount which may be put in a medical reimbursement account is $3,200. You will receive an Inspira Mastercard, which may be used to pay for eligible health expenses. Please note that you may be asked to provide supporting documentation even when you use your Inspira Mastercard.

Note: For COVA HealthAware participants, please remember that your Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) pays first and then your FSA.

Dependent Care Spending Accounts may be used to reimburse yourself for expenses incurred in the care of your child (age 12 years or under), disabled spouse, elderly parent, or other dependents who are physically and/or mentally incapable of self-care so that you (and your spouse) can work or actively seek work. The maximum annual amounts which may be put in a dependent care flexible reimbursement account are:

• $2,500 for an employee who is married and is filing a separate tax return.
• $5,000 for an employee who is married and is filing a joint return or who is single with dependents.

The maximum deduction per pay period for 12-month employees is $208 and $277 for 9-month faculty.

For Both Medical and Dependent Care Spending Accounts:

• The minimum payroll deduction is $10 per pay period.
• A monthly administrative fee of $2.10 ($2.80 for 9-month faculty) will be deducted from your salary on a pre-tax basis for one or both accounts (Medical and/or Dependent Care). Whether you have one account or both, the fee will be $2.10 (or $2.80) per month.
• Enrollment is not automatic and is only for the current plan year. If you wish to participate next plan year, you must re-enroll during the annual open enrollment period.
• Employees may enroll within 30 days of their hire date or within 60 days of a life event change.
• "Use It or Lose It" Rule - Any money contributed to these accounts during the plan year must be used during the plan year -- any balances remaining are forfeited. Employees may file reimbursement claims until 90 days after the end of the plan year.

You may file a claim to request reimbursement of your eligible expenses by completing a claim form and submitting it along with supporting documentation to PayFlex. The easiest way to do this is to log into your account on the Inspira Financial website. You may also submit a claim by filling out the DHRM claim form. For assistance, contact Inspira Financial.

You may be reimbursed for eligible FSA expenses incurred through the end of the month in which you separate. You have a three-month run-out period from the end of your coverage period (end of the month in which you separate) to apply for reimbursement.

To activate the Inspira Financial debit card, call the activation line provided on the sticker on the front of the card, then follow the prompts to activate the card. Participants should follow the prompts, entering the card number followed by the # sign and the last four digits of the member number which is the last 4 digits of the Cardinal employee ID # without the zeros.

To find your Cardinal ID number, you will log into PatriotWeb and click on the Employee Services tab, Employee Dashboard tab, Profile tab, to find the Cardinal ID number. Link to the instructions here.