The open enrollment period for 2017 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) begins Monday, Nov. 7, and ends Tuesday, Nov. 29, for eligible University of Delaware employees.

FSAs are voluntary accounts through which UD employees can set aside pre-tax dollars to cover out-of-pocket health care and day care expenses. Visit the Office of Human Resources website for details about FSAs. 

The maximum annual amount that can be contributed has increased to $2,600 per employee for the Health Care Account and remains $5,000 per family for the Dependent Care Account. (A provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the health care limit was increased for inflation to $2,600 for tax year 2017.)

Please keep the following in mind when deciding how much to set aside in your FSA:

• FSAs do not automatically continue from year to year. You must re-enroll each year to continue your participation even if you do not want your deduction amount to change.

• Carefully consider the FSA contribution level appropriate for you and your family; any balance not used during the plan year and subsequent grace period (2.5  months) will be lost. Be on the lookout for quarterly reminders from ASIFlex informing you of your FSA balance.

• The plan year for FSAs is January through December. Once your enrollment is finalized, you cannot change or stop your contribution for the remainder of the plan year unless you have a qualifying family status change (e.g., marriage, divorce, birth/adoption of a child). You have 30 days after the date of the qualifying event to submit a Family Status Change form.

• Health Care Flexible Spending Account participants have the option to elect an FSA Debit Card. This debit card provides a convenient method to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical expenses at the time of service. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has stringent regulations regarding appropriate use of the debit card, including where the card can be used and when follow-up documentation is required. Use of the card is convenient, but it DOES NOT eliminate all of the paperwork.

The Human Resources staff is available to help with any questions about FSA enrollment. Employees can reach a benefits representative by emailing hrhelp@udel.edu.

Go mobile

Participants can now file claims on the go and access account statements 24/7 with the ASIFlex Mobile App,which is available at asiflex.com, Google Play or the App Store.