Note: HSA and FSA enrollment from the prior plan year do not carry over; the IRS requires an active re-election each year.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow you to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for healthcare and dependent care expenses.

There are two types of Flexible Spending Accounts available to you:

Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts are for costs not covered under a traditional medical, dental or vision plan. Common expenses include copays, deductibles, orthodontics, hearing aids, laser eye surgery, eye glasses, infertility treatment, medical equipment, and over-the-counter drugs.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts are for child care and elder care costs. Common expenses include before and after school care, summer camp, nannies, and babysitters. The expense must be directly tied to your need to work and therefore pay others to help care for your dependents.

Dependent care benefits elected offset the federal tax credit on your federal tax return.

For important dates and deadlines to use funds and submit claims, contact your provider or your benefits department.

Look in the menu for additional plan information:

• FSA expense calculator
• Eligible and ineligible expense chart
• Forms, resources, and links to carrier website

The CARES Act includes three areas that immediately and retroactively as of January 1, 2020, expand the usage of HSAs and Medical FSAs.

The CARES Act allows over the counter drugs to be offered on a pre-tax basis for employees that have an HSA or Medical FSA. Some examples of allowed OTC items are:

• Cough medicines
• Cold medicines
• Allergy medicines
• Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen

Menstrual products are also now eligible and would include products such as, but not limited to:

• tampons
• pads
• liners
• cups
• sponges