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Find the answers you need to these frequently asked questions.
Flexible Spending Accounts Health Savings Account Health Reimbursement Arrangement COBRA
Flexible Spending Accounts FAQ
What is an FSA?
Many employers choose to expand their Section 125 flexible benefit plan by incorporating a Flexible Spending Account, allowing employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to be used for eligible expenses.
Contributions to the benefit account help offset taxable income, resulting in savings for employers and employees. When implementing an FSA, employers save an average of 10 percent on related expenses.
How is an FSA funded?
An FSA is funded through your employer, at the time of Open Enrollment period you may communicate how much you would like to contribute to your account for the coming year.
How do I use my FSA funds?
FSA funds can be used by submitting claims for reimbursement with proof of medical expenses and a statement that has not been covered by your healthcare plan. Benefits Cards may also be used if available through your FSA plan.
How much can I contribute to my FSA?
The maximum amount for 2023 is $3,050 for HealthCare FSA or Limited Purpose FSA. Keep in mind, your employer’s plan may limit this to a lower amount.
What is an FSA carryover?
The FSA carryover is one option that an employer can choose to put into place to prevent forfeiting funds. If chosen by the employer, the rollover maximum is set to 20% of the IRS maximum contribution limit. Please keep in mind, your employer’s plan may limit this to a lower amount.
Where is an eligible items list for FSA plans?
You can find that right here
What happens to my FSA funds at the end of the year?
Unused FSA funds will depend on the plan that was put in place by your employer, i.e. if there is a carryover, you may carry funds into the next plan year (up to the limit chosen by your employer). Another option is the grace period in place to use your unspent funds. The standard plan that many employers place is a “use it or lose it” rule.
What is my FSA grace period?
This is an option that an employer can choose to put into place on your FSA. A standard grace period is 2 months and 15 days immediately following the end of your plan year and allows you to continue spending down unspent funds from your FSA account.
When it comes to using my FSA account at the store, is there a quantity limit?
You may not stockpile, no more than two of the same item on the same day. You cannot buy an amount that will fill up the year.
What is a Limited Purpose FSA?
A Limited Purpose FSA covers qualified dental and vision services such as dental cleaning, vision exams, etc
What is the difference between a Dependent Care FSA and Healthare FSA?
A HealthCare FSA covers medical expenses that most individuals would pay out of pocket for, Dependent Care FSA covers qualified service that allow an employee to work I.e child care and afterschool programs.
How much do I contribute to my Dependent Care FSA?
The maximum is $5,000 per household. If you are married, but file separate, the maximum you can contribute is $2,500.
What happens if there are funds leftover in my FSA plan year?
Dependent Care FSA has a “use it or lose it” rule if funds are remaining they will be forfeited over to your employer.
Do I qualify for Dependent Care?
To qualify for dependent care you must fall into the following:
- You are gainfully employed
- Your child must be under the age of 13 or over age if with disabilities
- Adult dependents who can’t take care of themselves.
Please keep in mind that they must live with you and be claimed as dependents on your tax return
Are weight loss programs and/or gym memberships covered under my FSA?
It can be covered with a letter of medical necessity; however, food supplements are not included.
Are massages covered by my FSA?
It can be covered with a letter of medical necessity.
Health Spending Accounts FAQ
What is an HSA?
An HSA is a Health Savings Account. HSAs are a handy way to save for medical expenses and reduce taxable income. If you are enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), you can qualify for an HSA.
What are my investment options?
A list of investment options can be found on the online portal. All investments are on the Devenir platform.
What is the maximum limit I can contribute for the year?
For 2023, the maximum for self-coverage is $3,850, and for family coverage the maximum is $7,750. For 2024, the maximum for self-coverage is $4,150 and $8,300 for family coverage. Those 55 and older can contribute an additional $1,000 as a catch-up contribution.
How can I do a trustee to trustee transfer of funds?
A trustee to trustee transfer can by completing the necessary form found on our website. This would be submitted to your current HSA bank for them to request the funds directly from your previously utilized bank.
How can I make a post-tax contribution?
Post-tax contributions can be made directly with your HSA bank by completing the necessary deposit form.
Do I receive any tax forms for contributions from my HSA?
Yes, all tax documents are issues directly from your HSA bank. Form 5498-SA shows all desposits and this amount is identified on teh 1040 return on form 8889. Form 1099-SA shows all disbursements in a calendar year.
Do I have to complete a claim reimbursement form to pay a provider?
No, the HSA account is a self-governed account. All receipts should be kept by the account holder for tax purposes.
Does the HSA plan run with my company’s insurance plan year?
All HSA contributions are based on the calendar year.
Health Reimbursement Arrangement FAQ
What is an HRA?
An HRA is a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (sometimes called a Health Reimbursement Account), and is an IRS-approved, employer-funded, tax-advantaged health benefit used to reimburse employees for out-of-pocket medical expenses and personal health insurance premiums.
An HRA only covers qualified medical and dental expenses.
Will the money pull from my HRA first?
Most plans are set up to pull from the FSA first, but others may draw from the HRA first depending on their plan design.
Is my HRA pre-funded?
Based on your plan design, some are front funded, monthly, quarterly or annually.
What does my HRA cover?
Each HRA is specific to each employer. Typically, HRAs cover common medical expenses such as deductibles, coinsurance, copays, prescriptions, dental and vision expenses
Will my card work for the HRA?
Most HRAs do work with the card, some may not based on their specific plan design.
Does my HRA rolllover?
Most HRAs do rollover from year to year, however some may not. Please refer to your handbook for more information.
Are my dependents eligible?
Most HRAs do cover your dependents as well. Some may require your dependents also be covered on your health insurance. Refer to your handbook for more information.
Do I lose my HRA if I retire or terminate?
If your Employer offers a Retiree HRA you may keep the funds, however if they do not the funds will be forfeited if no claims are submitted.
COBRA FAQ
What is COBRA?
COBRA stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act. It gives employees the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, reduction in the hours worked, transition between jobs, death, divorce, or other life events.
Can I continue COBRA after 18 months or 36 months?
You can not continue cobra after the end date unless there is another life event.
Why is COBRA expensive?
You pay what your company pays, what you were paying, as well as a 2% admin fee.
How long is COBRA offered?
The following life events will begin COBRA coverage, terminated, or reduction in hours you are qualified for a maximum of 18 months. A qualifying event has occured, i.e. death of a covered employee or divorce or egal separation of a covered employee from the covered employee’s spouse you are qualified for maximum of 36 months.
Can a terminated employee decide to not take COBRA coverage for him or herself, but elect to receive coverage for just dependents or their spouse?
Yes, you can elect for just a dependent or spouse without taking coverage for one’s self.
When enrolling in COBRA, can you just pick a month to start and skip a month if you decide you do not want to be covered that month?
No, COBRA coverage starts the day after your active coverage ended. There can be no lapse in coverage.
Is there any opportunity to make payments through direct withdrawal from my checking account without paying the 20 dollar processing fee each month?
Yes, you can fill out an ACH form for funds to be pulled out every month on the first for COBRA and the 5th for Retiree’s.
Payment, Accounts, and Claims
How can FBA help me with payments and claims?
Whether it is Flexible Benefits Administrator’s convenient benefit card, our partnership with the FSA and HSA stores, or convenient account management portals, FBA makes the process of managing your accounts as easy as possible.
Can I pull cash out of the ATM with my Benefit Card?
No, the benefits card is for POS transactions only.
Should I select “debit” or “credit” when checking out?
You should select “credit.” Benefit card transactions are signature-based and processed in the same manner as a credit card transaction. The FBA Benefit Card does not require or include a PIN for authorization and there is no “cash back” option. A PIN is available if needed via portal.
How do I make a payment?
Only Health Savings Account (HSA) has web bill payment available. To make a payment, you can use your FBA portal or send in a check/money order to us.
What is my balance?
To obtain your account balance, you can use your online portal, your FBA mobile app or email us/call into our toll-free number to speak with customer service.
How do I activate my FBA Benefits Card?
The FBA Benefits Card is automatically activated upon first use.
Why does my FBA Benefits Card not work?
Your transaction amount may be greater then what is current in your account or you are attempting purchase a product that is not eligible
What if I accidentally use my Benefits Card for ineligible or non-qualifying expenses?
If your Benefits Card is misused, you will be required to reimburse the plan with a personal check, money order, or online payment. Failure to repay the plan could result in adverse tax consequences.
Why was my claim denied?
A claim may be denied due to the following:
- Insufficient funds in your account
- Documentation is incomplete or not legible or not received. Please be sure when submitting a claim that you provide the date of service, provider name, patient name, description of service, and amount.
- The expense is not eligible for reimbursement under your plan or is cosmetic.
- You may have reached the maximum reimbursement amount for your coverage period.
- A claim may be denied because the service date is not within eligibility dates.
Will I recieve a new FBA Benefits Card for each plan year?
No. Your FBA Benefits Card is valid for three years from the issue date.
Will I recieve a request for documentation for every benefit card transaction?
No. In many cases, your transaction will be automatically verified by the card system using one of the IRS-approved
methods outlined below:
- The expense matches a specific co-pay you have under your employer’s medical, pharmacy, vision, or dental
plan. For example, you may not be required to submit a statement or EOB if you have $20 co-pay for physician office visits, and the payment was made to a physician office in the amount of $20. - Recurring expenses will not result in a request for documentation as long as the expense equals the same amount, duration, and provider as a previously approved expense.
- You purchase a FSA-eligible item.
- In limited situations, your claim information may be provided through an electronic file from your health insurance carrier or other provider. In these situations, verifying expenses may not be required if the electronic claim file is accompanied by an electronic or written confirmation for the health care provider that identifies your expense and verifies the amount.
If I terminate employment, can I continue to use my benefit card?
No, your benefit card will be deactivated upon termination of your employment. If you have qualified expenses to submit after your termination of employment, you may use the traditional method of submitting a reimbursement form with appropriate documentation. However, your qualified expenses must be incurred during your period of coverage
What if I do not have a copy of my itemized receipt?
If you do not have a copy of your itemized receipt and receive a request for documentation, request a copy from the provider pharmacy, doctor, dentist, etc.. Your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) will also be sufficient for documentation.
Online Portal
How to I access my benefits?
All your benefit portals can be accessed on the participant’s benefits page, found in the portal quick links area at the top of the site, or through the main menu.
How do I register online?
To register online, go to fba.wealthcareportal.com. To register, you will need an Employee ID (This is typically your full SSN with no space, dashes, or slashes; however, it could be an ID assigned by your employer) and the Employer ID assigned your company. Ask your employer for a copy of the Web Access Flyer to gather all the information you may need.
How do I make a payment?
Only Health Savings Account (HSA) has web bill payment available. To make a payment, you can use your FBA portal or send in a check/money order to us.
COVID-19
How does COVID-19 affect my plans?
We answer the most common effects on plans here, but if you have more specific questions about your plan we recommend you contact your dedicated account manager.
Will health FSA coverage continue during a furlough or temporary layoff?
Coverage under a health FSA generally would terminate upon a furlough. This is since an employee is likely no longer working the minimum number of hours required to maintain FSA eligibility. It may, however, depend on the plan terms and how the furlough is implemented.
An example, if an FSA requires a minimum of 30 hours per week to be eligible and an employee is regularly working 40 hours per week (8 hours per day) but will be furloughed one day per week, the employee likely will continue to be eligible for the FSA, because the employee is still working 32 hours per week.
Can employers extend the FSA run-out deadline?
Employers can extend the run-out deadline to their preferred length. A Grace Period for HealthCare FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, and/or Dependent Care FSA Plan Year ending in 2020 or 2021 may be extended (but are not required to extend) for up to 12 months following the end of the Plan Year. This will allow spending of all unused balances remaining in these plans. No matter the extension length, employers must notify their employees of the change and update the plan document.
Due to COVID-19 I no longer need my dependent care FSA. Can I stop my contributions to my dependent care FSA?
Since a qualifying life event would include changes in cost and coverage, if the participant is dis-enrolled in any type of care program the account holder would be able to stop their contributions. If at a later time the participant is enrolled in a new program, the participant could use that as a qualifying life event, due to changes in cost and coverage, to start contributions again.
What about payroll contributions for commuter parking and transit benefits?
Per IRS regulations, participants can start, change, or stop contributions for commuter benefits at any time.
With an unpaid layoff/furlough, will participants be able to claim medical expenses incurred during the layoff once they are back to work?
The answer is yes, as long as the plan document is amended to reflect that and all of its employees are notified and treated the same way. Eligibility for coverage would need to continue through the layoff/furlough.
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