Flexible Spending Accounts allow you to save taxes on the money you spend for uncovered medical/dental and/or dependent care expenses. You can set aside money through payroll deductions during the calendar year to pay for predictable expenses, and amounts are deducted from your gross pay before federal, state and Social Security taxes are withheld. Because you pay no taxes on your FSA deposits, you effectively increase your spendable income over the year.
Plan Highlights
- The Healthcare Account is used to pay for any medical and dental expenses that are not covered by insurance plans. Some of the expenses eligible for reimbursement are: deductibles and co-payments under health insurance and dental plans; orthodontic care; chiropractic care; eyeglasses and contact lenses, etc. The IRS has indicated that expenses for solely cosmetic reasons or for the maintenance of general health are not eligible expenses for medical care. Premiums you pay for medical and dental coverage, whether for yourself, your spouse, or a dependent, are not eligible expenses. Review list of FSA eligible expenses and the FSA store flyer. The maximum contribution is $2750.
- $550 Carry-over Rule: If you have a balance remaining at the end of the calendar year, up to $500 will automatically carry over to the next calendar year. This "carry-over" amount will not effect the maximum you can contribute.
- The Dependent Care Account is used to pay for certain dependent care expenses incurred because you (and your spouse, if married) are employed. Eligible expenses include charges for the care of dependent children age 12 and under or for elderly or disabled family members who are dependent on you for financial support. The maximum annual contribution is $5000 and may be less under certain circumstances (e.g., the limit is $2500 if you are married filing separately). There is no carry-over rule for the dependent care account.
Enrollment: During Open Enrollment each fall, you decide the total amount you want deposited into either or both of the FSA accounts for the next calendar year. That amount is deducted from your paychecks in equal increments throughout the year.
Please note: Once you choose your FSA deposit amount, you may not change or stop your deductions during the year unless your family status changes (due to marriage or birth of a child, for example), and the action must be consistent with the status change.
Your Account
Register and view your AleraPay account:
AleraPay Consumer Portal Guide|
AleraPay Enrollment Kit
Reimbursements:
AleraPay will receive medical and dental claims directly from an Excellus provider and pay you directly out of your Flexible Spending Account for those expenses. You will receive a check or if you would like to set up direct deposit (see the form below). AleraPay debit cards to be used at the pharmacy for your prescriptions and for vision expenses. These cards will be loaded with your FSA funds. Any prescription not paid with the debit card will require a paper claim submission to AleraPay in order to receive reimbursement.
How to Submit Claims
AleraPay Claim Form
Direct Deposit Set up
AleraPay App
You have a 120-day period following the end of year of your Plan Year to file for reimbursement of expenses incurred in the previous Plan Year.
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You cannot switch funds between accounts.
If you terminate employment or go on an unpaid leave of absence, your deductions will stop and you may not submit claims for services incurred after your termination date or LOA start date. When you return from an unpaid leave of absence, you may resume deductions for the rest of the plan year.
IMPORTANT: Once the period for submitting claims expires, any funds remaining in your accounts must be forfeited, in accordance with Internal Revenue Service regulations. This is called the "use it or lose it" rule. Therefore, it is important to estimate your expenses carefully when you enroll in the plan.
Summary Plan Description (FSA).pdf
FSA Relief