Flexible Spending Accounts

Posted August 22nd, 2017 in Producers, Employers
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are one of the few benefits an employer can provide that often pays for itself (and then some). While there are expenses that will be incurred by the employer when using a third-party administrator for the FSA, there are also payroll tax savings that will offset some or all of those expenses.
 
Posted June 23rd, 2016 in Producers, Employers

The fourth installment of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees will be due on July 31, 2016.

As its name suggests, PCORI is a research institute, and it was created by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as a way to improve clinical effectiveness. It is partially funded by fees charged to health plans.

The following list contains information and some reminders about the upcoming PCORI fee that is due:

Posted June 19th, 2015 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

What happens to Health and Dependent Care FSAs when a merger or acquisition occurs?  

 
Of course the Cafeteria Plan regulations do not specify how this should be treated, but the IRS has provided some guidance in the form of Revenue Ruling 2002-32. Fortunately, for employees, the IRS has taken a position that employees should not be punished as a result of a merger or acquisition, and the guidance suggests two possible options that would be acceptable in their eyes. Both options maintain the salary reduction of the employee and preserve the annual election.
Posted November 26th, 2014 in Individuals
Here's an example eligible expenses that someone with a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) might encounter on Thanksgiving Day:
 
6:00 AM Wakes up
8:30 AM Picks up prescription medicine* from a local drugstore to be ready for anything
9:15 AM Starts preparing the side dishes
Posted May 30th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

Can an individual be covered by more than one “Flex Plan” at the same time?

Yes, Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Health Reimbursement Arrangements (HRAs) and Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) can be combined in certain circumstances.

Posted April 4th, 2014 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently issued long awaited guidance that details how someone can be Health Savings Account (HSA)-eligible the following plan year if they have access to funds that rollover from a Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) from the previous plan year. 

Posted January 17th, 2014 in Employers

After nearly thirty years of lobbying the “Use-It-or-Lose-It” rule has been changed. Now the option is left to you, the plan sponsor, whether or not it is the right thing to implement for your company. Let’s take a look at some of the scenarios and helpful tips for the healthcare flexible spending account (FSA) rollover option in terms of an adoption lifecycle (a model that shows the trend of acceptance to a new concept over time).

Posted November 7th, 2013 in Producers, Employers, Individuals

The U.S. Department of Treasury recently issued guidance announcing a significant change relating to Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) that has many positive implications. The Department of Treasury has modified its “use-it-or-lose-it” provision to allow a limited rollover of unused Healthcare FSA funds. Effective immediately, employers that offer a Healthcare FSA program without a grace period have the option of allowing employees to rollover up to $500 of unused funds at the end of the 2013 plan year. 

Posted May 3rd, 2013 in Employers, Producers

Recent guidance helped clarify some of the confusion about Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fees applicable to Health Reimbursement
Arrangements (HRAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). It was originally thought that the fee would be applicable to all covered lives including spouses and dependents. That is no longer the case in some instances.

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