Frequently Asked Questions
SISC FLEX
Frequently Asked Questions….
1. Why should I use a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for reimbursement rather than deducting the expenses on my income tax return?
Only medical expenses that exceed 7.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) can be deducted on your income tax form. FSAs are federal tax free from the first dollar; you do not have to meet the 7.5% AGI threshold before receiving the tax savings. Money set aside through an FSA is also exempt from FICA taxes. This exemption is not available on your federal income tax return.
2. Does an employee have to enroll in all three programs: Premium Only Plan (POP), Health Care Spending Account, and Dependent Care Spending Account?
No, all three plans are optional. An employee can enroll in one, two, all three, or none of the plans.
3. Does this plan replace my medical plan?
No. This plan offers you a means to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses with pretax money. You should first submit your claims to your health care plans so that they can pay according to the plan limits. Then, the remaining out-of-pocket eligible expenses can be submitted to your Flexible Spending Account plan.
4. How much money will I save by enrolling in an FSA?
Your savings will be based upon your individual income and tax filings.
5. My district doesn’t provide Dental and/or Vision benefits. Can a Health Care Reimbursement Account help me?
Most definitely. When you incur an eligible dental or vision expense, simply submit your receipt for services with an FSA claim form indicating you do not have coverage. Your claim will be processed within two weeks, and a reimbursement check will be sent to you for eligible expenses.
6. Can the Health Care Spending Account pay my doctor directly?
No, payment is made to the participant only.
7. Are expenses that are reimbursed by my Health Care Spending Account eligible to be deducted on my tax return as a medical expense?
No, because you have already received reimbursement with tax-free dollars. Only expenses not reimbursed through an insurance plan or an FSA may be claimed on your income tax return.
8. What happens if I retire or terminate employment with the district mid-year?
Under IRS regulations you would be able to submit claims for reimbursement of expenses incurred prior to your termination/retirement date. Expenses incurred after you leave your employer are not eligible for reimbursement.
9. Since this plan is on a calendar year basis (Jan–Dec), when would open enrollment be?
This is determined by your district. We recommend an open enrollment period no sooner than September, but no later than November. .
10. If our district doesn’t currently require an employee share in the health benefit premium payments, but then changes Oct 1 with the SISC III plan year, can employees enroll in the POP program at that time?
Yes.
11. What are the requirements and deadlines for submitting claims?
Claim documentation requirements:
Provider's name.
Date and description of each service.
Charge for each service.
Taxpayer identification number for Dependent Care providers.
Name of person receiving services (as provided on the enrollment form).
Amount paid or denied by insurance (health expenses only). A copy of the Explanation of Benefits is preferred.
Deadlines for submitting claims:
The SISC flex plan year is January 1st through December 31st each year. Participants have 90 days (run out period) following the end of the plan year to file claims for the current year. Expenses for all claims must be incurred during the current plan year, or the grace period (2 1/2 months following the plan year end) associated with that plan year. All claims and supporting documentation must be received by the SISC office no later than March 31st in order to be considered filed during the run-out period.
12. What happens to funds in an account that are left and no claim for reimbursement is submitted?
Eligible claims for expenses incurred during the plan year, or the 2 1/2 month grace period immediately following the plan year end, must be received in the SISC office within 90 days after the end of the plan year. SISC will send out reminder notices to participants to notify them of a remaining account balance. Participants can also access their account balance anytime through the SISC FLEX web site.
The IRS has imposed strict regulations for the use of forfeited money. Generally, the funds are used to defray the employer’s costs for administering the plan. Any funds left in the account, unclaimed, will be forfeited to SISC. This will help offset the risk SISC assumes when paying a claim that is not covered by sufficient funds in the account (due to employee termination, etc.). Unclaimed fund balances will also help offset administrative expenses to allow SISC to continue to offer this plan as a free service to districts and employees.
13. What is SISC’s responsibility for the Premium Only Plan (POP) administration?
SISC does not get involved in the POP portion of this program. All the district needs to do is submit a copy of the POP enrollment form to SISC for their records. The district will simply code the amount being withheld for premium payments as pre-tax. Premiums should be forwarded to the SISC III Health Benefits department as usual.
14. Can participants make changes to their Health Care Flexible Spending Account mid-year?
Please refer to the Summary Plan Description (SPD) for acceptable change-of-status events. Basically, it’s the same types of events that allow changes to your health benefits plan: marriage, divorce, birth of a child, etc.
15. Can participants make changes to their Dependent Care Spending Account mid-year?
Yes, this program is more flexible in accepting change-of-status mid-year. Some examples are: Change in provider, change in the amount the provider charges, etc. Please refer to your SPD for more information.
16. Does a day camp qualify as a Dependent Care expense?
Yes, if it allows the parent to work.
17. Does private school qualify as a Dependent Care expense?
Private pre-school qualifies because it allows the parent to work, but kindergarten and grades above do not qualify.
18. Does it have to be a licensed daycare facility?
No, but the daycare provider will have to provide a tax identification number, or social security number.
19. What will the district’s monthly responsibilities be?
Once all enrollment information is entered into the SISC FLEX program, SISC will send a monthly report to the district for verification. The district will make any necessary changes to the report (adds, changes, etc.), then send the report back to SISC with a check and a copy of any Change of Status forms.
20. Must participants be in the SISC Health Plan to participate in the Dependent Care or Health Care FSA?
No.
21. My day care provider requires payment on the first of the month to pay in advance for that month. May I submit my receipt for payment on the 1st and be promptly reimbursed?
You may submit your receipt for proof of payment but federal regulations allow reimbursement only after day care services have been provided. Reimbursement will be processed after the time period has elapsed.
22. What is the turn around time for reimbursement?
Checks are issued and mailed weekly.