Medical Flexible Spending Account
What to Know
The Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows you to put aside pretax dollars to use toward eligible health care expenses. Essentially, you pay yourself back with tax-free money for expenses you’d have anyway, such as for doctor’s office visits and prescriptions. It is administered by WEX Benefits.
Understand the Flexible Spending Accounts
Watch a video presentation to learn more about how the FSAs work.
Medical FSA Highlights
The Medical FSA gives you the opportunity to put aside money from your paycheck, before taxes, to use for eligible health care expenses, such as:
- Copays and coinsurance for doctor’s office visits, lab tests and hospital stays
- Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications, like allergy, asthma and cold/flu medicines
- Birthing and Lamaze classes
- Dental and orthodontia treatment
- Vision care, including glasses and contact lenses
Note: Residents and clinical fellows who are partially funded on T32 grants can have pretax deductions taken out of their UC pay only — not from a T32 grant.
Watch the 2024 FSA video to learn more.
Contribution Limits
In 2024, you can set aside up to $3,050 in your Medical FSA [PDF]. Consider your health care expenses from previous years to estimate how much you should contribute to your account.
How it Works
New Residents and Clinical Fellows
- You can enroll in an FSA as of your program start date.
- The full amount you elect to contribute for the remainder of 2024 will be available after your plan effective date (usually your program start date).
- You have until April 15, 2024, to submit claims for reimbursement of expenses incurred between your plan effective date (usually your program start date) and December 31, 2023.
- You can carry over up to $640 into the following year. Any amount above $640 that’s not used by December 31 will be forfeited.
Current Residents and Clinical Fellows
- You enroll each year during Annual Flexible Spending Account Enrollment in the fall.
- Payroll deductions for the amount you elect to contribute during the Annual Flexible Spending Account Enrollment begin January 1.
- Your FSA contributions can be used to pay for eligible expenses incurred between January 1, and December 31 of each year. You have until April 15 of the following year to submit claims for reimbursement of expenses.
- You can carry over up to $640 from the 2023 plan year to the 2024 plan year. You must be active in the plan on December 31 to carry funds to the following year. Any amount above $640 that’s not used by December 31 will be forfeited.
If you are enrolled in the Medical FSA, you can carry over up to $640 into the following year. Any amount above $640 that’s not used by December 31 will be forfeited.
How to Enroll
New Residents and Clinical Fellows
You have 30 days from your program start date to enroll in an FSA. You must be set up in the UCPath payroll system to enroll in an FSA. View enrollment instructions [PDF].
The FSAs follow a different plan year (January through December) than your other UC benefits (June through July). As a new resident or fellow, you’ll enroll once in the FSA for coverage from your program start date through Dec. 31 of the current year.
You’ll have an opportunity to enroll or re-enroll in the FSAs during Annual Flexible Spending Account Enrollment, typically held in the fall of each year. The coverage you elect then will be effective Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 of the following year.
Current Residents and Clinical Fellows
You can enroll in an FSA during Annual Flexible Spending Account Enrollment, typically held in the fall of each year. View enrollment instructions [PDF].
Reminder: Annual Flexible Spending Account Enrollment is for Medical FSA and Dependent Care FSA plans only. Open Enrollment for your medical, dental and vision plans is held in May each year.
Paying for Expenses
Use Your Debit Card
After you enroll in a flexible spending account, WEX Benefits will mail you a benefits debit card that you can use to cover eligible health care expenses.
Debit cards are good for three years. WEX Benefits will mail you a new debit card 90 days before the expiration date of your current debit card.
You can also request a WEX Benefits debit card for your dependents and/or spouse by:
- Adding them to your online account. You’ll see if they’ve been added by going to the Profile section of your online account.
- Once they are added, select Banking/Cards and request a card for each dependent. A dependent must be 18 years of age or older to receive a debit card.
Need a New Card?
If your card is lost or stolen, you can order a new card (free of charge) from the mobile app or by logging in to your account.
Submit a Claim
You can submit a claim via the WEX mobile app, online or by mail.
To submit a claim through the mobile app, download the Benefits by WEX app [PDF] from the App Store or Google Play. Then log in to your account via the app, select File a Claim and follow the steps. You can take a picture of your Explanation of Benefits or itemized receipt right from your mobile phone too.
You can also submit a claim through your online account by following similar steps and uploading your documentation. You can also submit the Out-of-Pocket Reimbursement Request form online, available on the WEX Benefits website.
Claims are processed within two business days, and you can choose to be reimbursed through direct deposit or by having a check mailed to you. There is no fee to you if you choose to have the money directly deposited into your bank account.
Questions?
Log in to your account and select the live chat feature; email the WEX Benefits team; or call the WEX Benefits team.
Documentation Required
All claims must be accompanied by a receipt or other documentation, such as the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) you receive from the medical, dental or vision insurance carrier after a visit. Your EOB contains all the necessary information for your claim to be processed.
Additional documentation that is accepted must contain the following information:
- When the service was received
- Where the service was received
- Who received the service
- What service was received
- The amount/cost of the service received
IRS FSA Rules
Once you elect to enroll in a Medical FSA, you cannot change your election (disenroll from the FSA) or increase or decrease contribution amounts, unless you have a qualifying life event.
This includes a change in marital status, number of dependents, or job status.
Provider Contact Information
WEX (Flexible Spending Accounts)
(866) 451-3399
Website
Mobile apps