2009-12-28 Tips for Using Your 2010 Flexible Spending Accounts
Thank you for enrolling in a Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) or a Dependent Care Spending Account (DCSA) for 2010. We have included some helpful tips in this e-mail to make it as easy as possible for you to use your account(s) in 2010.
1) A brochure is available on the MSU Human Resources Web site that explains both Health Care Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Spending Accounts. To view the brochure online, go to www.hr.msu.edu and take the following steps:
- click the Benefits link
- click the Flexible Spending Accounts link
- click the FSA Plan Coverage and Eligibility link
If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of the brochure, you may e-mail benefitsinfo@hr.msu.edu or you may contact MSU Human Resources Benefits at 517-353-4434 or toll-free 800-353-4434.
2) If you participated in an HCSA in 2009, please DO NOT throw away your current HCSA debit cards. You will use the same cards in 2010. Also note that after December 31, 2009, when you use your HCSA debit card, it will withdraw from your 2010 Health Care Spending Account. You may continue to use your 2009 funds through March 15, 2010, but you must pay for eligible items or services first and submit receipts for reimbursement, rather than using your debit card.
3) If you are a new 2009 HCSA enrollee, you should receive two HCSA debit cards in the mail in late December or early January. (Note: DCSA accounts do not have debit cards.) If you do not receive your HCSA debit cards, or if you need to obtain additional cards beyond the two provided, contact the plan administrator, Meritain Health, at 517-349-7010 or toll-free 800-748-0003. There will be a $5.00 charge for each additional card.
4) An IRS regulation took effect on July 1, 2009 that may impact your ability to use your HCSA debit card at some pharmacies to pay for over-the-counter (OTC) purchases. By this date, pharmacies were required to implement technology that automatically determines whether OTC items are eligible and declines any ineligible items that you may attempt to purchase with your card. There was an exception to the rule, called the 90% rule. If 90% of the items in a pharmacy are HCSA-eligible, the pharmacy didn’t have to become IIAS compliant. You can use your debit card at these pharmacies, but you will need to substantiate your claim. Pharmacies that did not implement this technology or fall under the 90% rule are not able to process any OTC purchases using your debit cards. You will have to pay for OTC items out-of-pocket and submit receipts along with a reimbursement form to Meritain for reimbursement. To see a list of IIAS merchants and 90% Rule merchants, you can visit sig-is.org. On campus, the MSU Clinical Center and Olin Health Center Pharmacies are IIAS compliant.
5) All claim inquiries should be directed to the plan administrator, Meritain Health, at 517-349-7010 or toll-free 800-748-0003. You may submit claims along with the reimbursement request form to Meritain Health, Inc., P.O. Box 30111, Lansing, MI 48909 or you may fax claims to 517-381-6600. Forms are available on the MSU Human Resources Web site at http://www.hr.msu.edu/forms.htm.
Reneè Rivard
Director of Benefits
MSU Human Resources
