Flexible Spending Accounts

A tax-advantaged account, allowing employees to benefit from tax savings by setting aside pre-tax dollars for out of pocket health care expenses.

AmeriFlex Convenience Card: You can use your AmeriFlex Convenience Card to pay for eligible expenses at the point-of-sale. Simply present your card for payment at an eligible merchant or provider. When your card is swiped, the system qualifies the expense to ensure that the expense and provider are eligible under your plan. Next, it determines if there is an adequate balance available in your account. Finally, the merchant is paid and the amount of the charge is deducted from your account. Please keep in mind that back-up documentation may be required to substantiate your claim, so be sure to save your receipts as proof that funds were used to pay for an eligible expense. For more information on how and where to use your card, refer to the documentation you received with your AmeriFlex Convenience Card, or contact the AmeriFlex Member Services team.

NOTE: Healthcare reform law has changed the rules regarding payment and reimbursement of certain types of over-the-counter medical expenses. FSA debit cards may be used for over-the-counter medicines and drugs so long as (1) a valid prescription for the over-the-counter medicine or drug is presented to the pharmacist; (2) the over-the-counter medicine or drug is dispensed by the pharmacist in accordance with applicable laws and regulations pertaining to the practice of pharmacy; and (3) an Rx number is assigned.

File a Manual Claim: You can also pay for eligible expenses out-of-pocket, and then get reimbursed by filing a manual claim. To file a manual claim, simply complete a Claim Form and mail, fax, or e-mail it to AmeriFlex along with an itemized receipt. Itemized receipts must include the following information: the provider’s name, the date(s) of service, the services rendered (e.g. prescription expenses), and the amount charged (not the amount paid). After the claim has been processed, you will receive reimbursement by check or direct deposit (if you have requested to have reimbursements deposited directly to your bank account). To have reimbursements deposited directly to your bank account, complete and submit our Direct Deposit Form.

Federal Laws governing FSAs specifics that any money remaining in your account at the end of the plan year will be forfeited.   This is more commonly known as the “use-it-or-lose” rule.   The “use-it-or-lose-it rule is applicable under tax laws and it is one of the required trade-offs for the tax benefits gained being enrolled in a flex spending account.   An employee will forfeit any amounts in the FSA that are not applied to pay expenses submitted by 3 months after the close of the Plan Year for which the election was effective.

You cannot receive reimbursement from an FSA for an expense and also itemize the expense as a tax deduction on your tax returns. However, most people do not incur enough out of pocket expense to be eligible for any deduction on their tax return (you can only deduct the amount of your medical and dental expenses that is 7.5% of your adjusted gross income). For individuals that do not qualify for the itemized deduction, the Health Care FSA makes sense - it's available for any amount up to your company's maximum. Plus, you receive the tax savings throughout the year, not when you file your taxes after the end of the year.

Yes. You can be reimbursed from your Dependent Care FSA for any qualified daycare expense, whether performed in your home, the provider's home or a daycare center. The caregiver's Social Security number or a tax identification number must be included on the Claim Form. You will also need to provide receipts for the expenses or have your provider sign the completed Claim Form.

Yes, if the family member is a qualified tax dependent you can use your funds for them (if you claim them on your taxes, they are an eligible dependent).

Medical expenses including prescription and now, over the counter items are eligible.

 

See this site - this will provide any qualifying/potentially qualifying expenses - https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/hcet-ebia/ameriflex

 

The IRS determine what goods and services are eligible. This will vary based on what type of account you have. For more information about your account and expenses eligibility, visit myameriflex.com/participants. Login to MyAmeriflex for a full list of eligible expenses.

Yes.

See this - https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/hcet-ebia/ameriflex

Anyone that you would claim on your taxes, children up to age 26.

Yes.

DCAs were created with the purpose of helping employees pay for two things:

1. Custodial care of a child: Eligible custodial care (day care) of a dependent (as defined by the IRS) under the age of 13 allows parents/parent to work. Common eligible expenses include day care, after-school care, Pre-K, and day camps.
2. Custodial care of an eligible adult: Custodial care of an adult dependent (as defined by the IRS,) that is mentally or physically incapable of caring for themselves, so that the other adult(s) can work. Requirements for these types of expenses are very specific and require medical documentation.

What expenses are NOT eligible for DCA?

• Expenses not directly related to custodial care, such as administrative fees, waiting list fees, supply fees, food/meals, etc.
•  Education tuition for grades Kindergarten and above (Some after-school programs may qualify, even if educational in nature, if the primary purpose is custodial care of the child so the parent(s) can work)
• Overnight camps
• Custodial care provided that is not for the express purpose of allowing the parent(s) to work, such as babysitting while the parent(s) go to dinner, on vacation, etc.
• Any expenses related to medical/nursing care or food/meals -- only those expenses directly related to custodial care of the dependent

Only one.

An account that can be used to pay for the care of an eligible child, adult, or elder dependent (as defined by the IRS). Allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible dependent care expenses.

Yes.