How do I contribute money to my FSA?
Your annual election will be divided by the number of pay periods in your plan year. This amount will be deducted from your paycheck before taxes are assessed.
How much can I contribute to my FSA?
Annual contributions may not exceed $2,850 per year, as determined by the IRS.
Who is eligible under an FSA?
An FSA covers eligible expenses for you and all of your dependents, even if they are not covered under your primary health plan.
What expenses are eligible for reimbursement?
Health plan co-pays, deductibles, co-insurance, eyeglasses, dental care, and certain medical supplies are covered. The IRS provides specific guidance regarding eligible expenses. (See IRS Publication 502).
How do I determine the date my expenses were incurred?
Expenses are incurred at the time the medical care was provided, not when you are invoiced or pay the bill.
What happens if I don’t spend all of my FSA by the end of the plan year?
Be sure to only allocate dollars for predictable medical expenses. Any unused funds at the end of the plan year are typically forfeited, also called the use-it-or-lose-it rule.
Can I change my election amount mid-year?
Elections can only be altered if you experience a change in status as defined by IRS regulations, such as marriage, divorce, birth, or death in your immediate family.
What is the deadline for submitting claims?
You can submit claims for reimbursement at any time during the same plan year that you incur the expense. You may also have a grace period at the end of the plan year. Check the summary plan document your employer provided.
How do I get the funds out of my FSA?
If you have a benefits debit card, simply swipe it at the register. Otherwise, just file a claim including the receipt documenting the type, amount and date. Once approved, your reimbursement check will be mailed or deposited into your bank account.
How soon can I start spending my FSA funds?
With a healthcare FSA, your entire annual election amount is available on the first day of the plan year even though you have not yet contributed that amount.
What happens to my FSA if my employment is terminated?
Participation in your FSA is also terminated. This means that only expenses that were incurred prior to your termination date are eligible for reimbursement.
Can I still deduct healthcare expenses on my tax return?
Yes, but not the same expenses for which you have already been reimbursed from your FSA.
Are over-the-counter (OTC) medications eligible for reimbursement?
Yes. OTC medications are eligible with a doctor’s prescription. You will need to submit a claim with the receipt for the OTC medicine along with the prescription or (LMN) Letter of Medical Necessity from your doctor that includes the diagnosis and course of treatment to receive reimbursement.
What is a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN)?
The IRS mandates that eligible expenses be primarily for the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of disease or for treatment of conditions affecting any functional part of the body. For example, vitamins are not typically covered because they are used for general wellness, but your doctor may prescribe a vitamin to treat your medical condition. The vitamin would then be eligible if your doctor verified the necessity in treatment.