The following provides a summary of commonly asked questions, but you must consult your plan documents or a Human Resources representative for full details about eligible expenses, enrollment, and other information.
The plan year runs from January 1 to December 31. However, UNE offers a “grace period” for individuals to incur expenses and submit claims after the end of the typical plan year.
Flexible spending accounts work in the same way as health and dental insurances; you can sign up for a flexible spending account at your time of hire, during open enrollment, or when you have a qualifying event, such as marriage, birth or adoption of a child, change in eligibility for insurance, loss of other coverage, etc.
You have until March 15 of the next plan year to incur costs for the previous plan year (i.e.: until March 15, 2018 to incur cost against your 2017 deductions). You have until May 30 of the next plan year to submit for reimbursement all charges for the previous regular plan year or the grace period. If your charges or submission fall outside of these dates, or you do not use all your money, the remaining balance will be forfeited.
You need to elect your medical and/or dependent care flexible spending account amounts annually during the open enrollment process. If you do not re-elect your benefits during open enrollment, your new year will automatically be set at $0.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts are available for childcare costs for children through the age of 12 (ends on their 13th birthday). Most after school programs qualify for reimbursement. To be sure, you can either contact Human Resources or Group Dynamic (the administrator of UNE’s plan) at (207) 781-8800.
Although this program allows you to be able to work, overnight programs are not eligible for dependent care flexible spending reimbursement. Most day camps, including sports camps, usually are. To be sure, you can either contact Human Resources or Group Dynamic (the administrator of UNE’s plan) at (207) 781-8800.