by admin | Dec 13, 2022 | Blog
A Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA) is an account designed to allow participants to set aside pre-tax dollars for dental, vision and orthodontia expenses for themselves and their dependents. As mentioned earlier, the benefits of enrolling in a LPFSA are limitless.
Below is a list of eight pre-taxable items a participant can use to fund their Limited Purpose FSA.
1. Artificial teeth
2. Dental treatment: x-rays, fillings, dentures, root canals
3. Dental co-insurance, co-payments, and deductibles
4. Eye surgery (includes cataract and LASIK)
5. Vision co-insurance, co-payments, and deductibles
6. Prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses, and over-the-counter reading glasses
7. Contact lenses, solution, equipment, and materials
8. Occlusal guards
To learn even more about LPFSA-eligible items, check out our extensive list.
by admin | Nov 29, 2022 | Blog
With the contribution limits set to increase for Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) in 2023, now is a good time to debunk any myths that are often associated with FSAs. Here are easy to understand answers to common FSA questions.
Will I lose the money in my FSA if I don’t use it?
Not if you plan properly. You can utilize the carryover option, which allows you to carryover as much as $610 in unused funds from an existing plan to the next.
How is my FSA funded?
It is funded by your employer. Based on how much you decide to contribute (up to $3,100), your employer then places the contributed amount into your account and deducts equal amounts from your paycheck each pay period.
When is my FSA funded?
Your full year’s contribution is available on the first day of the plan year, even though you pay it back through payroll deductions throughout the year. Think of it as an interest-free loan.
Who owns my FSA?
Your employer. However, any unused funds go back to them if you leave the company.
What expenses are eligible for my FSA?
Eligible expenses include out-of-pocket costs not covered by an insurance plan, notably copayments, deductible expenses, coinsurance, and prescriptions. Costs for healthcare products and services are also eligible.
by admin | Nov 29, 2022 | Blog
During the first week of November, the IRS announced 2023 contribution limits for all Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans. Below is an overview of the limit increases across all the types of FSAs except for Dependent Care FSAs, which remain the same at $5,000 per year.
Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA)
This account provides employees the option to set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible medical, dental and vision expenses. The maximum contribution limit is set to increase from $2,850 to $3,050. This new amount will also apply to Limited Purpose FSAs.
Carryover Limit
The FSA Carryover allows employers the ability to transfer a maximum amount of remaining FSA balances from a current plan year for use in the following plan year. This is available for Health Care and Limited Purpose FSAs only. The limit increase to this account is now $610, compared to 2022’s limit of $570.
Commuter Benefits
This account helps employees pay for certain parking, mass transit and/or vanpooling expenses using pre-tax dollars. The contribution limits will increase from $280 to $300.
Adoption Assistance
An Adoption Assistance FSA assists employees in paying for adoption expenses such as agency fees and court costs. The contribution limit for this account is now $15,950, up $1,060 dollars from the 2022 amount ($14,890).
For more information about this major change and how it may impact you, read our latest handout.
by admin | Oct 17, 2022 | Blog
An Adoption Assistance Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows participants to set aside pre-tax dollars for eligible domestic (in U.S.) or foreign adoption expenses; notably court costs, attorney fees and agency fees. Below are five facts regarding this account.
Fact #1: For 2022, participants can choose an annual election amount of up to $14,890. The money is placed in a participant’s account via payroll deduction, equally, and then used to pay for eligible adoption expenses incurred during the plan year.
Fact #2: Expenses incurred in a prior plan year plus fees to adopt a stepchild and for legal guardianship are not eligible for reimbursement.
Fact #3: There’s an income limit for an Adoption Assistance FSA. It’s based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). For 2022, if your MAGI was:
- More than $223,410 = will not be able to contribute to full $14,400 to FSA
- More than $263,410 = can’t use the FSA
Fact #4: Any unused funds that remain in an account at the end of the plan year will be forfeited.
Fact #5: Participants cannot change election amounts during the plan year unless they experience a change in status or qualifying event (such as marriage or divorce).
by admin | Oct 12, 2022 | Blog
Two months ago, NueSynergy wrote about when carryover funds are available for new FSA members. Now, we are here to provide a more detailed look into what a carryover is, how it works and any questions you may have.
What it is and how it works
Starting on October 31, 2013, the U.S. Department of Treasury adjusted the “Use It or Lose It” rule, providing employers the option to offer a carryover plan to their employees. This option allows up to $570 of remaining FSA balances at a plan year’s end to carryover for use during the next plan year. This is available with Healthcare and Limited Purpose FSAs only.
Funds carried over into the following plan year will be available on the first day of the year unless enrolled in a Health Savings Account (HSA). If that’s the case, then those funds must be carried over into a Limited Purpose FSA.
Keep in mind, carryover funds are non-transferable. This means that if employees with a carryover are terminated mid-year, funds will be treated as any normal election and will be forfeited if COBRA is not elected.
Questions to consider
What happens if a participant has a carryover balance, but does not re-elect a Healthcare FSA?
Employers can choose to allow participants who do not enroll in the new plan year to either forfeit their previous plan year balance or default their carryover into an FSA for the new plan year.
What is the difference between a Healthcare FSA and a Limited Purpose FSA?
A Limited Purpose FSA can only be used for vision and dental expenses. It is intended to work in conjunction with an HSA. A Healthcare FSA covers all eligible medical expenses.
Is additional time offered to participants following the end of the plan year to incur expenses against the previous plan year?
Yes. This is called the grace period. It allows employees additional time, usually 2.5 months, to use remaining funds. If the carryover option is elected, it will replace the grace period option.
Can employers give participants the option of both a carryover and a grace period?
No. An employer can only provide one option within the same plan year.
