Flexible Spending Account

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS (FSA)

A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an account eligible employees use to put pre-tax money into throughout the year. You choose how much money to contribute to your FSA, within limits, and you choose what qualified expenses to spend your FSA funds on — an FSA is flexible that way.

Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside pretax dollars to pay:

• Eligible healthcare expenses - such as co-pays, dental services, prescriptions, glasses, over-the-counter medications (cold/sinus, for example), and more.
• Out-of-pocket child care expenses for dependents under the age of 13. 

Learn More

• FSA Advantages Flyer - Explains tax savings and more
• FSA Eligible Expenses Flyer - See how many of your common, everyday health-related expenses can be paid for with your FSA
• Benefits Enrollment Guide - Full explanation of FSA accounts.

Looking for Health Savings Account (HSA) information? Find it here.

HOW THE FSA WORKS

Step 1. Decide Your Amount for the Year

• You determine how much you want to set aside pre-tax for medical, dental and vision expenses up to the IRS limit for that year. 
• Eligible Expenses Flyer
• Estimate your costs with this calculator.
• Consider Your Deductible - You can use the funds to pay for all or part of a deductible, up to the $2,700 annual contribution limit. You’ll have your deductible budgeted for the year at a tax-free rate.
• Use it or Lose It - The funds you set aside in a year can only be used for qualified expenses incurred during the calendar year 1/1 - 12/31. Funds do not carry over and are lost if not used.

Step 2. The Account is Fully Funded Upfront

• The full amount you choose for the year is deposited into your FSA account upfront.
• Your pre-tax payroll contributions are deposited to the FSA throughout the year, saving money on taxes.

Step 3. Use the Funds All Year

• Since the account is fully funded upfront, you can immediately begin to use the funds at the start of the plan year (or, for new hires, when your plan goes into effect) to pay for eligible medical expenses such as deductibles, doctor visits, prescription drugs, glasses and more. 
• Pay at point of service - You will automatically receive a MasterCard debit card to have the convenience of paying right at the doctor’s office or pharmacy.  See more below.

FSA Types & Contribution Amounts

There are three types of FSA Accounts. You specify the annual dollar amount of your earnings to be deposited to each account.

1. Healthcare FSA - Minimum: $130 / Maximum: $2,700 (2020) | Maximum: $2,750 (2021)
   Pays for qualified medical, dental, and vision expenses, including insurance copays and deductibles. EPO and PPO participants only.
    
2. Limited Purpose FSA - Minimum: $130 / Maximum: $2,700 (2020) | Maximum: $2,750 (2021)
   Pairs with a health savings account to help you pay for dental and vision expenses.  (HSA participants only.)
    
3. Dependent Care FSA - Minimum: $260 / Maximum: $10,500 ($5,250 if married & filing separately)
   Pays for the care of a dependent child or adult so that you can work.  (IRS regulations may require ADOA to reduce your contribution due to IRS non-discrimination test requirements. The Dependent Care FSA for Highly Compensated Employee contribution is limited to $1,600 in 2020. A Highly Compensated Employee is defined by the IRS as having earned $125,000 or more in 2019.)

ENROLLMENT - EACH YEAR

• During New Hire Enrollment or Open Enrollment. You must re-enroll for the account(s) each year.
• Enrollment can be done on yes.az.gov

FSA MASTERCARD DEBIT CARD

The card has many benefits  

• Your debit card will be pre-loaded with the entire amount of the deductions you selected for the plan year - the same card works for Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs.
• This makes it much more convenient to use your FSA contributions.
• The TASC FSA MasterCard Debit Card is a limited-use benefit card that will allow you to directly pay the merchant or healthcare provider from your health FSA account.
• The card is accepted by healthcare and retail providers that accept MasterCard. Simply present your card for payment.
• The card's advantage is that you do not have to pay with cash or a personal credit card.
• The merchant will process the transaction; then the card company will then report the transaction to TASC.

Debit Card AUTOMATICALLY Sent

• You will be sent a new debit card automatically upon enrollment and may request additional cards for your dependents. The card is valid until the expiration on the front. 
• The card will arrive in a plain white envelope for security reasons, so be sure to watch your mailbox.

SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION | SPD

• The Summary Plan Description (SPD) is a detailed description of what the plan provides and how it operates. | TASC SPD
• The Summary of Material Modifications (SMM) informs participants and beneficiaries of changes to the SPD during the plan year. | TASC SMM - 5/5/2021

CONTACT

TASC | 833-433-4301 | tasconline.com 

University Faculty and Staff: Please see your HR website for your flexible spending account options.