Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
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A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a tax-advantaged savings reimbursement account that allows you to set aside money for eligible expenses on a pre-tax basis. There are three kinds of FSAs available to University of Rochester employees:
- Health Care FSA
- Limited Purpose FSA
- Dependent Care FSA
Learn more about each of these options below.
FSA overview
Learn about your FSA plan’s specific eligibility, covered expenses, and contribution limits.
Important note: In preparation for myURHR Workday go-live on December 16, 2024, forms have been removed to accommodate this transition. Upon myURHR Workday go-live, you will be able to make elections in the new system. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact the Office of Total Rewards at (585) 275-2084.
FSA administrator: What bank will I use?
Lifetime Benefit Solutions will be your FSA administrator.
These instructions will guide you through the process of setting up an online account. More details on downloading the using the mobile app can be found here.
Health Care FSA
Eligibility
You are eligible to contribute to a Health Care FSA if you are a benefit-eligible employee that:
- Waived health coverage; OR
- Enrolled in the PPO Plan; OR
- Enrolled in the HSA-Eligible Plan and are not contributing to an HSA (if you are contributing to an HSA, see Limited Purpose FSA below)
Covered Expenses
You may use your Health Care FSA to reimburse qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, prescription, or vision expenses. A complete list of qualifying expenses can be found in IRS Publication 502.
The CARES (Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security) Act, passed by Congress, has expanded covered expenses that you may use your FSA on. The act is retroactive as of 1/1/2020. Qualified expenses now include: over-the-counter medicine without needing a doctor’s prescription and all feminine hygiene products.
2024 Contributions
The maximum amount you may contribute in 2024 is $3,050 (minimum election is $100). At the end of the year, employees may be able to roll over some eligible funds. Please refer to the 2025 Open Enrollment communications for details.
If I have a Health Care FSA this year but do nothing during Open Enrollment, what happens?
Your current FSA election will not automatically roll over to the following year, so you’ll need to elect your annual contribution amount during Open Enrollment. You may not change your annual contribution amount after it has been elected unless you experience a corresponding qualifying event during the year.
If you do not make an active election for a Health Care FSA during Open Enrollment, then any unused funds from the current plan year will be forfeited. You will have 120 days beginning January 1st of the current plan year to submit any remaining claims for qualified services incurred in the previous plan year.
Limited Purpose FSA
Eligibility
You are eligible to contribute to a Limited Purpose FSA if you are a benefit-eligible employee that enrolled in the HSA-Eligible Plan and are contributing to an HSA.
Covered Expenses
You may use your Limited Purpose FSA to reimburse qualified out-of-pocket dental and vision expenses. Once the Tier 1 Plan deductible has been met, you may also use your Limited Purpose FSA for qualified medical and prescription expenses. A complete list of qualifying expenses can be found in IRS Publication 502.
The CARES (Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security) Act, passed by Congress, has expanded covered expenses that you may use your FSA on. The act is retroactive as of 1/1/2020. Qualified expenses now include: over-the-counter medicine without needing a doctor’s prescription and all feminine hygiene products.
2024 Contributions
The maximum amount you may contribute in 2024 is $3,050 (minimum election is $100). At the end of the year, employees may be able to roll over some eligible funds. Please refer to the 2025 Open Enrollment communications for details.
If I have a Limited Purpose FSA this year but do nothing during Open Enrollment, what happens?
Your current FSA election will not automatically roll over to the following year, so you’ll need to elect your annual contribution amount during Open Enrollment. You may not change your annual contribution amount after it has been elected unless you experience a corresponding qualifying event during the year.
If you do not make an active election for a Limited Purpose FSA during Open Enrollment, then any unused funds from the current plan year will be forfeited. You will have 120 days beginning January 1st of the current plan year to submit any remaining claims for qualified services incurred in the previous plan year.
Dependent Care FSA
Eligibility
You are eligible to contribute to a Dependent Care FSA if you are a benefit-eligible employee that:
- Has a dependent child under age 13 that is claimed as tax-dependent; OR
- Has a tax-dependent adult
Please Note: Federal non-discrimination guidelines require the University to test the Dependent Care FSA to ensure that highly compensated employees, as defined under IRS guidelines, do not disproportionately contribute to the Dependent Care FSA. Highly compensated employees may have their FSA maximum contribution amount reduced if the test results do not meet federal guidelines.
Covered Expenses
You may use your Dependent Care FSA to reimburse qualified daycare expenses for eligible dependents. A complete list of qualifying expenses can be found in IRS Publication 503.
2024 Contributions
The maximum amount you may contribute in 2024 is $5,000 for individuals or married couples filing jointly, or $2,500 for a married person filing separately. Please note that Dependent Care FSA funds are not eligible to roll over.
If I have a Dependent Care FSA this year but do nothing during Open Enrollment, what happens?
Your current FSA election will not automatically roll over to the following year, so you’ll need to elect your annual contribution amount during Open Enrollment. You may not change your annual contribution amount after it has been elected unless you experience a corresponding qualifying event during the year.
If you do not make an active election for a Dependent Care FSA during Open Enrollment, then any unused funds from the current plan year will be forfeited. You will have 120 days beginning January 1st of the current plan year to submit any remaining claims for qualified services incurred in the previous plan year.
Using my FSA
There are a few options for using the savings in your FSA towards qualified medical expenses.
Automatic reimbursements
If you’re enrolled in a University Health Care Plan, you have the option to set up your Health Care or Limited Purpose FSA so that it processes reimbursements automatically when you incur a qualified expense. Set this up using your online account with Lifetime Benefit Solutions.
Manual reimbursements
If you did not enroll in health coverage through the University or you decide not to use the automatic reimbursement feature, you must submit a claim for each qualified expense that you would like to receive reimbursement for. You may either:
- Use your Lifetime Benefit Solutions online account to submit claims electronically; OR
- Use a paper form to submit claims.
Direct deposit
Use your online account or a paper form to set up direct deposit of reimbursements into your bank account with your vendor.
FSA forms
Lifetime Benefit Solutions direct deposit authorization form
Complete this form if you are setting up a direct deposit account for your FSA account
Lifetime Benefit Solutions FSA reimbursement request form
Complete this form if you are filing a claim for your eligible expense for your Health Care FSA or Limited Purpose FSA
Lifetime Benefit Solutions Dependent Care FSA reimbursement form
Complete this form if you are filing a claim for your eligible expense for your Dependent Care FSA
If you need additional forms, you can contact us or explore our employee benefit forms page.
FSA overview
FSA administrator: What bank will I use?
Lifetime Benefit Solutions will be your FSA administrator.
These instructions will guide you through the process of setting up an online account. More details on downloading the using the mobile app can be found here.
Health Care FSA
Eligibility
You are eligible to contribute to a Health Care FSA if you are a benefit-eligible employee that:
- Waived health coverage; OR
- Enrolled in the PPO Plan; OR
- Enrolled in the HSA-Eligible Plan and are not contributing to an HSA (if you are contributing to an HSA, see Limited Purpose FSA below)
Covered Expenses
You may use your Health Care FSA to reimburse qualified out-of-pocket medical, dental, prescription, or vision expenses. A complete list of qualifying expenses can be found in IRS Publication 502.
The CARES (Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security) Act, passed by Congress, has expanded covered expenses that you may use your FSA on. The act is retroactive as of 1/1/2020. Qualified expenses now include: over-the-counter medicine without needing a doctor’s prescription and all feminine hygiene products.
2024 Contributions
The maximum amount you may contribute in 2024 is $3,050 (minimum election is $100). At the end of the year, employees may be able to roll over some eligible funds. Please refer to the 2025 Open Enrollment communications for details.
2025 Contributions
The maximum amount you may contribute in 2025 is $3,200 (minimum election is $100). At the end of the year, employees may be able to roll over some eligible funds. Please refer to the 2026 Open Enrollment communications for details.
If I have a Health Care FSA this year but do nothing during Open Enrollment, what happens?
Your current FSA election will not automatically roll over to the following year, so you’ll need to elect your annual contribution amount during Open Enrollment. You may not change your annual contribution amount after it has been elected unless you experience a corresponding qualifying event during the year.
If you do not make an active election for a Health Care FSA during Open Enrollment, then any unused funds from the current plan year will be forfeited. You will have 120 days beginning January 1st of the current plan year to submit any remaining claims for qualified services incurred in the previous plan year.
Limited Purpose FSA
Eligibility
You are eligible to contribute to a Limited Purpose FSA if you are a benefit-eligible employee that enrolled in the HSA-Eligible Plan and are contributing to an HSA.
Covered Expenses
You may use your Limited Purpose FSA to reimburse qualified out-of-pocket dental and vision expenses. Once the Tier 1 Plan deductible has been met, you may also use your Limited Purpose FSA for qualified medical and prescription expenses. A complete list of qualifying expenses can be found in IRS Publication 502.
The CARES (Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security) Act, passed by Congress, has expanded covered expenses that you may use your FSA on. The act is retroactive as of 1/1/2020. Qualified expenses now include: over-the-counter medicine without needing a doctor’s prescription and all feminine hygiene products.
2024 Contributions
The maximum amount you may contribute in 2024 is $3,050 (minimum election is $100). At the end of the year, employees may be able to roll over some eligible funds. Please refer to the 2025 Open Enrollment communications for details.
2025 Contributions
The maximum amount you may contribute in 2025 is $3,200 (minimum election is $100). At the end of the year, employees may be able to roll over some eligible funds. Please refer to the 2026 Open Enrollment communications for details.
If I have a Limited Purpose FSA this year but do nothing during Open Enrollment, what happens?
Your current FSA election will not automatically roll over to the following year, so you’ll need to elect your annual contribution amount during Open Enrollment. You may not change your annual contribution amount after it has been elected unless you experience a corresponding qualifying event during the year.
If you do not make an active election for a Limited Purpose FSA during Open Enrollment, then any unused funds from the current plan year will be forfeited. You will have 120 days beginning January 1st of the current plan year to submit any remaining claims for qualified services incurred in the previous plan year.
Dependent Care FSA
Eligibility
You are eligible to contribute to a Dependent Care FSA if you are a benefit-eligible employee that:
- Has a dependent child under age 13 that is claimed as tax-dependent; OR
- Has a tax-dependent adult
Please Note: Federal non-discrimination guidelines require the University to test the Dependent Care FSA to ensure that highly compensated employees, as defined under IRS guidelines, do not disproportionately contribute to the Dependent Care FSA. Highly compensated employees may have their FSA maximum contribution amount reduced if the test results do not meet federal guidelines.
Covered Expenses
You may use your Dependent Care FSA to reimburse qualified daycare expenses for eligible dependents. A complete list of qualifying expenses can be found in IRS Publication 503.
2024 Contributions
The maximum amount you may contribute in 2024 is $5,000 for individuals or married couples filing jointly, or $2,500 for a married person filing separately. Please note that Dependent Care FSA funds are not eligible to roll over.
2025 Contributions
The maximum amount you may contribute in 2025 is $5,000 for individuals or married couples filing jointly, or $2,500 for a married person filing separately. Please note that Dependent Care FSA funds are not eligible to roll over.
If I have a Dependent Care FSA this year but do nothing during Open Enrollment, what happens?
Your current FSA election will not automatically roll over to the following year, so you’ll need to elect your annual contribution amount during Open Enrollment. You may not change your annual contribution amount after it has been elected unless you experience a corresponding qualifying event during the year.
If you do not make an active election for a Dependent Care FSA during Open Enrollment, then any unused funds from the current plan year will be forfeited. You will have 120 days beginning January 1st of the current plan year to submit any remaining claims for qualified services incurred in the previous plan year.
Using my FSA
There are a few options for using the savings in your FSA towards qualified medical expenses.
Health Spending Card
If you are enrolled in a Health Care of Limited Purpose FSA, you can use your FSA Health Spending Card to cover your qualified medical and over-the-counter expenses. With this option, you pay for eligible services and/or items in real-time and do not have to wait to be reimbursed. Please note that the FSA Health Spending Card cannot be used for Dependent Care FSA expenses.
Manual reimbursements
If you did not use your FSA Health Spending Card, you must submit a claim for each qualified expense that you would like to receive reimbursement for (the FSA Health Spending Card cannot be used for Dependent Care FSA expenses). You may either:
- Use your Lifetime Benefit Solutions online account to submit claims electronically; OR
- Use a paper form to submit claims.
Direct deposit
Use your online account or a paper form to set up direct deposit of reimbursements into your bank account with your vendor.
FSA forms
Important note: In preparation for myURHR Workday go-live on December 16, 2024, forms have been removed to accommodate this transition. Upon myURHR Workday go-live, you will be able to make elections in the new system. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact the Office of Total Rewards at (585) 275-2084.
If you need additional forms, you can contact us or explore our employee benefit forms page.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to your FSA questions
Get more in-depth information on Flexible Spending Accounts.