Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs)

Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs) allow you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. Navia Benefit Solutions processes claims and provides service for the SEBB Program.

  • You cannot have both a Limited Purpose FSA and a Medical FSA, nor can you have a Medical FSA and be enrolled in a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health savings account (HSA).
  • You must enroll in an FSA again for each year you want to participate. Enrollment does not automatically continue from plan year to plan year.

Important information about FSAs

  • If you enroll in both a Medical FSA and UMP High Deductible with a health savings account (HSA) in the same year, you will be automatically disenrolled from the Medical FSA. 
  • If you have UMP High Deductible you can enroll in a Limited Purpose FSA for eligible dental and vision expenses.

Need to manage your FSA?

What are FSAs?

FSAs allow you to set aside pretax money from your paycheck to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses. Setting aside a portion of your pay with an FSA reduces your annual taxable income. Your election will be deducted from your paycheck pre-tax throughout the plan year, so you don't pay FICA (7.65%) or federal income tax (up to 37%) on your elected dollars. Listen to the Fund Your Future DRS podcast episode: Save on healthcare costs with FSA and DCAP to learn more about FSAs. 

Two types of FSAs

The SEBB Program offers: a Medical FSA and a Limited Purpose FSA. The Medical FSA covers a wide range of health care expenses. The Limited Purpose FSA covers only dental and vision expenses and is intended for employees enrolled in UMP High Deductible.

What is a Medical FSA?

The Medical FSA allows you to pay for out-of-pocket health care costs like deductibles, copays, coinsurance, medications, menstrual care products, dental care, vision services, and more (see eligible expenses).

You can use your Medical FSA to pay for expenses for you, your spouse, or your qualified tax dependents, even if they are not enrolled in your SEBB medical or dental plan.

What is a Limited Purpose FSA?

The Limited Purpose FSA allows you to pay for out-of-pocket dental and vision services like glasses, contact lenses and solution, dentures, dental copays, orthodontia, and more (see eligible expenses). You can use your Limited Purpose FSA to pay for dental and vision expenses for you, your spouse, or your qualified tax dependents, even if they are not enrolled in your SEBB medical or dental plan.

Am I eligible?

The Medical FSA and Limited Purpose FSA are offered to school employees eligible for SEBB benefits. Generally, FSAs are available to school employees who are expected to work at least 630 hours during the school year.

How much can I contribute?

2024
  • A minimum of $120
  • Up to a maximum of $3,050

To figure out how much you want to contribute:

  1. Estimate your health care expenses for the year.
  2. Enroll in an FSA for that amount.
  3. Navia will calculate the amount deducted from each paycheck based on the number of paychecks you will receive that year.

Calculate only your dental and vision expenses for the Limited Purpose FSA.

Keep in mind: You may be able to carry over some unspent funds into the next year.

For more help, use the Navia Benefit Solutions Tax Savings Calculator.

Why is the IRS maximum contribution limit different from what HCA adopts?

The maximum contribution limit is set by the IRS, and the amount is usually announced in late fall after HCA's annual open enrollment begins. Due to the timing of the IRS announcement, HCA adopts the increased maximum contribution limit for the following plan year.

How do I enroll?

During open enrollment 

When you're first eligible

  • Submit the Midyear Enrollment Form to your payroll or benefits office no later than 31 days after the date you become eligible for SEBB benefits.

If you have a special open enrollment event

  • Submit the Change in Status Form to your payroll or benefits office no later than 60 days after you or an eligible family member has a qualifying event that creates a special open enrollment.

Reminder: You must enroll in a Medical FSA for each plan year you want to participate because your enrollment does not automatically continue year to year. If you want to enroll, make sure to elect this benefit again during each open enrollment.

What is carryover?

If you have not spent all the funds in your FSA by December 31 – and you are still employed and didn't lose eligibility for the FSA – you may be able to take advantage of the carryover feature, where certain unspent funds may "carry over" into the following year without affecting annual maximums.

To carryover your unspent funds:

  • You must enroll in either the Medical FSA or Limited Purpose FSA for the following year, or
  • Have at least $120 left in your FSA balance.

How much can I carry over to the next plan year?

2024

Unused funds up to $640 will carryover to the next plan year. Any funds above $640 will be forfeited.

Real-world carryover examples

Less than $120 remaining

A subscriber has $100 left in their Medical FSA on December 31 (less than the $120 minimum). If they enroll in a Medical FSA, the $100 will carry over and be added to their Medical FSA election for the next plan year.

If they enroll in a CDHP for the next plan year, they cannot enroll in a Medical FSA. However, if they enroll in a Limited Purpose FSA, their remaining $100 will carry over and be added to their Limited Purpose FSA election for the next plan year.

If they do not enroll in an FSA for the next plan year, the $100 will be forfeited because it is below the $120 minimum.

Between $120 and $640 remaining

A subscriber has $150 left in their Medical FSA on December 31 (between the carryover minimum and maximum amounts). If they enroll in a Medical FSA, the $150 will carry over and be added to their Medical FSA election for the next plan year. If they do not enroll in an FSA, the $150 will still carry over to establish a Medical FSA for their use in the next plan year.

If they enroll in a CDHP and a Limited Purpose FSA, the $150 will carry over and be added to their Limited Purpose FSA election for the next plan year.

If they do not enroll in an FSA, the $150 will still carry over to establish a Limited Purpose FSA for their use in the next plan year.

Over $640 remaining

A subscriber has $650 left in their Medical FSA on December 31 (over the $640 maximum that can be carried over). If they enroll in a Medical FSA, $640 of the $650 will carry over and be added to their Medical FSA election for the next plan year; the remaining $10 will be forfeited. If they do not enroll in an FSA, $640 will still carry over to establish a Medical FSA for their use in the next plan year.

If they enroll in a CDHP and a Limited Purpose FSA, $640 of the $650 will carry over and be added to their Limited Purpose FSA election for the next plan year; the remaining $10 will be forfeited.

If they do not enroll in an FSA, $640 will still carry over to establish a Limited Purpose FSA for their use in the next plan year.

How do I submit claims?

When you incur an eligible expense, you can submit a claim online, use the mobile app, or send a claim form by email, fax, or mail to request reimbursement. You also can sign up for a debit card.

When can I submit them?

You can start submitting claims for eligible expenses on or after the first day of your plan year, January 1. The full amount you set aside for your FSA contribution is available on January 1.

Real-world example

You contribute $500 to your Medical FSA for the year. All $500 is available for you to use on January 1, even though the money has not yet been deducted from your paycheck. You may submit claims for services as often as you like, but not until after the services have been provided.

Are there deadlines?

Yes. You must incur all expenses by the end of the plan year, December 31, and submit all claims to Navia Benefit Solutions for reimbursement by March 31 the following year. If you are no longer employed or have retired and still have money left in your account, you can still submit claims for reimbursement until March 31, so long as the services took place while you were employed.

What happens to my funds when coverage ends?

When your SEBB insurance coverage ends – or you go on unpaid leave that is not approved under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or military leave – you are no longer eligible to contribute to your FSA. Eligibility ends on the last day of the month you lose coverage or go on unapproved leave.

You will be able to claim expenses that happened only while you were employed, unless you are eligible to continue your FSA under SEBB Continuation Coverage. You must submit claims for reimbursement by March 31 the following year.

Transferring to another SEBB organization?

You can continue your FSA election if the time between employment is 30 days or less and within the current plan year.

Submit the School Employment Transfer Form to your new employer's payroll or benefits office no later than 31 days after your first day of work. If you end employment or retire during the year, submit the SEBB FSA Termination form to your payroll or benefits office.

Contact

Navia Benefit Services
Online: Navia Benefit Solutions
Email: Navia customer service
Mobile App: download for iPhone or Android
Phone: 425-452-3500 or toll free 1-800-669-3539, Monday-Friday 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific)
Mail: Navia Benefit Solutions, PO Box 53250, Bellevue, WA 98015-3250