Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Administered By ASIFlex
The university offers eligible employees two optional flexible spending accounts to contribute to. Flex spending account plans allow you to set aside money from your paycheck pre-tax to pay for out-of-pocket health care and dependent care expenses. When you pay less in taxes, you have more money in your pocket. Most people save at least 25% on each dollar set aside pre-tax.
Note: Health care and dependent care services for eligible expenses must be experienced between the plan year of January 1 through March 15 of the following year, or prior to your termination of employment. Any balance remaining on the account at the end of the plan year's grace period (March 15) will be forfeited.
Eligibility
Non-temporary Employees
Non-temporary employees must work at least 20 (50%) hours per week and have an appointment for nine (9) months or greater.
| Life Event | Coverage Starts | Days to Initiate a Change |
|---|---|---|
| New Hire | Based on your start date, coverage begins on the first day of the next month. | 30 Days After the Event |
| Qualifying Employment Event | Based on the event date, coverage begins on the first day of the next month. | 30 Days After the Event |
| Qualifying Life Events | Based on the event date, coverage begins on the first day of the next month. | 30 Days After the Event |
| Adoption, Placement for Adoption | Coverage starts as of the date on the adoption decree. | 60 Days After the Event |
| Birth | Coverage starts the date the baby is born. | 60 Days After the Event |
| Open Enrollment | Changes not associated with a life event must be made during the Annual Open Enrollment period. These changes will be effective January 1 of the upcoming year. | Defined Open Enrollment Period |
| Life Event | Coverage Ends |
|---|---|
| No Longer Eligible | Coverage ends the last day of the month the appointment is no longer eligible. |
| Separation of Employment | Coverage ends the last day of the separation month. |
| Qualifying Life Events | Coverage will end the last day of the life event month. |
| Open Enrollment | If there are changes to end coverage during the Annual Open Enrollment period, coverage will end December 31 of the current year. |
If someone contributing to the flexible spending accounts becomes ineligible for coverage they are able to submit for reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to the ineligibility date until March 15. Employees who are contributing to the health care flexible spending account will be offered to continue coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).
Benefit Enrollment
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When You Can Make Changes to Your Benefits
Annual Open Enrollment
In order to contribute, you must re-enroll into the FSA plan each year during the open enrollment period. Eligible expenses must be experienced between the plan year of January 1 through March 15 of the following year, or prior to your termination of employment.
Qualifying Life Event
You may also enroll, waive, or change your contributions based on a qualifying life event.
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How to Make Changes to Your Benefits
UNI Employee Benefits Self-Service
Benefits Self-Service System is designed to help you enroll, make changes, and view your current benefit elections all in one location. For additional support, visit the Benefits Self-Service Help site.
FSA Plan Details
The government allows individuals who participate to set aside funds on a tax-free basis. These FSA accounts are then regulated by the IRS, and UNI elects to offer this benefit to employees.
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Health Care FSA
Allows you to set aside dollars from each paycheck to pay for qualified health expenses.
2024 IRS Maximum is $3,200*
Minimum annual amount $240
Dependent Care FSA
Allows you to set aside dollars from each paycheck to pay for qualified dependent care expenses.
2024 IRS Maximum is $5,000*
Minimum annual amount $240
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Important Resources
*Limits are set by the IRS and cannot be changed by the university.
**Qualified expenses are determined by the IRS.
Health Care FSA
- Your annual elected contributions are available for you to use on January 1 of the new plan year.
- You may use your health care FSA for qualifying dependents and/or relatives. Please view the ASIFlex supporting webpage to determine who qualifies as a dependent/relative. Dependents/relatives do not need to be enrolled in a UNI health/dental/vision plan to qualify.
- If you and a spouse are both eligible for a health care FSA, you may each elect the IRS annual maximum to use towards qualified expenses.
- Eligible expenses must have happened between January 1 through March 15 or prior to your termination of employment.
- You have until March 31 to submit a reimbursement request for the previous year’s expenses.
- Always submit your expenses for the current plan year. ASIFlex will always use eligible prior year contributions first.
- If you are making a change to increase your FSA contributions due to a qualifying life event, you will only be able to submit claims for the new contributions after the effective date of change. You may not use new contribution amounts on past claims.
Dependent Care FSA
- You are only able to use your dependent care contributions as they accrue.
- An employee enrolled in dependent care flex spending can change their elected contribution amount if there is an increase or decrease in their dependent care rates. Coverage can also be cancelled if a member decides to remove their child from care.
- If you and your spouse are both eligible for dependent care FSA, you may only elect the IRS annual maximum as a combined total between the two of you.
- If you are making a change to increase your FSA contributions due to a qualifying life event, you will only be able to submit claims for the new contributions after the effective date of change. You may not use new contribution amounts on past claims.
Estimated Savings by Using a Health Care FSA
| Description | Without FSA | With FSA |
|---|---|---|
| Salary | $45,000.00 | $45,000.00 |
| Pre-tax Annual FSA Amount | ($0.00) | ($2,600.00) |
| Taxable Income | $45,000.00 | $42,400.00 |
| Taxes (Est. 22%) | ($9,900.00) | ($9,328.00) |
| Out of Pocket Medical Costs | ($2,600.00) | $0.00 |
| Annual Take Home Pay | $32,500.00 | $33,072.00 |
Take-home pay increased by $572
For more information and additional ways to save visit Ways to Increase Your Take Home Pay at UNI.
Pre-tax contributions for FSA's reduce your taxable income, lowering the earnings that are reported to the Social Security Administration for purposes of calculating your Social Security benefit. Please consult your tax and financial advisors before engaging in any decisions.
Ways to Submit Claims and Reimbursement Information
- Online – Sign in to your account at asiflex.com and submit your claim online.
- Mobile App – Snap a picture of your claim documentation and submit via the mobile app. The free app is available on the App Store for Apple devices and the Google Play for Android devices.
- Fax – Download and complete the claim form, submit with your documentation via toll-free fax.
- Mail – Download and complete the claim form and mail with your documentation via USPS mail.
- FSA Debit Card (Health care FSA Only) – Pay merchant or health care provider with your visa debit card. You may sign for a credit transaction or enter a PIN for debit transactions. You may sign up for a debit card after logging into your account at asiflex.com. There is a $12 annual fee that will be deducted from your healthcare spending account.
Need Assistance Submitting a Claim?
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Contact ASIFlex
Phone: 1-800-659-3035
Email: asi@asiflex.com