HomeMy WebLinkAbout01.20.21 Health & Dependent Care (FSA) Spending Accounts - 2021 Update
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Subject:Health & Dependent Care (FSA) Spending Accounts - 2021 Update
Date:Wednesday, January 20, 2021 10:54:41 AM
Attachments:image001.png
Hello colleagues,
Good news! The latest COVID relief bill, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 includes some
welcome changes to help employees with their Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Medical and
Dependent Care for 2020.
The change allows employees to carryover ALL unused funds from 2020 to 2021 for both the
Health Flexible Spending Accounts and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts. Previously
the carryover was limited to $550.00 for only the HealthCare Spending Account. The available
monies may not be loaded to the debit cards associated with your accounts for a week or so while
the accounts are being updated. Paper claims may be submitted during the week update period if
needed.
There are a few other positive changes happening to these accounts for 2021.
o COBRA waiver – previously, if you terminated employment with the County, you
would forfeit any funds in the Health FSA unless you elected to continue through
COBRA. For 2021, you will continue to have access to all money that you have
deposited through payroll deductions through the end of 2021 without having to
enroll in COBRA, should you terminate employment with the County and have a
positive balance in your Health FSA.
o Dependent Care Age – previously the limit for utilizing the dependent care account
was up to the age of 13. The Act gave the County the ability to increase the age to
14 for the 2021 calendar year.
If you are unsure of your FSA balances, you may check your account balances directly with Discovery
Benefits, a Wex Company, on their website by logging in to your Online Account Portal. You may also
view this information on your mobile phone by downloading their easy to use Benefits Mobile App.
If you have any issues accessing your benefits this way, please contact Discovery Benefits Participant
Services at (866) 451-3399 or Email at customerservice@discoverybenefits.com.
If you have other questions, you may contact Human Resources, Benefits Unit at (530) 552-3552,
opt. 1 or hr.benefits@buttecounty.net.
Kind regards,
Sheri
Sheri Waters
Director, Human Resources
3A County Center Drive Oroville, CA. 95965
530-552.3565 Phone
530-538-7790 Fax
swaters@buttecounty.net
Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. - A. J. D'Angelo