What benefits are available?
The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) is:
- A benefit that saves you money by allowing you to pay for expenses with pre-tax dollars
- A way to get reimbursed for eligible healthcare expenses not covered by your health, dental or vision insurance
- An account where you save money on dependent care expenses for your children and adults that you claim on your Federal income tax
There are three types of FSAFEDS accounts. Each type has a minimum annual election of $100 and a maximum of $2,750 per participant for a health care FSA and $5,000 per household for a dependent care FSA.
The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA)
This account will reimburse you for eligible dependent care expenses for your child(ren) under age 13 and/or for any person you claim as a dependent on your Federal Income Tax return who is mentally or physically incapable of self-care. You (and your spouse, if married) must be working, looking for work (income must be earned during the year), or attending school full-time to be eligible for a DCFSA.
The $5,000 maximum annual election is the total combined amount for your household, including any child care subsidy amounts, in accordance with Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations. The maximum is $2,500 for those married but filing separately.
The Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA)
This account will reimburse you for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses for you and your dependents which are not covered or reimbursed by the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program, the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) or any other insurance.
The $2,750 maximum annual election is in addition to any amount your spouse may have in a separate HCFSA, even if your spouse’s account is part of the FSAFEDS Program. It is not a household limit.
The Limited Expense HCFSA (LEX HCFSA)
If you are enrolled in, or covered as a dependent by a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA) you are eligible for the LEX HCFSA.
Eligible expenses are limited to dental and vision care expenses for you and your dependents which are not covered or reimbursed by FEHBP or FEDVIP coverage or any other insurance. Using a LEX HCFSA allows you to preserve the funds in your HSA to use or save for other purposes.
Eligible expenses associated with your pre-existing condition are covered. There is no waiting period.
You can find more information about FSAFEDS at www.fsafeds.com.
