Health Benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) allow you to contribute - through payroll deduction on a pre-tax basis - to a health care and/or dependent care spending account. You request reimbursement from your accounts for eligible expenses as outlined by the IRS.

There will be a temporary suspension on processing Flexible Spending Account (FSA) reimbursement checks the week of March 19th through May 23rd, 2008 due to the integration of the Student Information and Human Resources systems. FSA claims submitted during the week of May 19th through May 23rd will be processed the week of May 26th through May 30th. Normal processing of FSA reimbursement claims will resume on Tuesday, May 27th. Reimbursement checks for FSA claims submitted during the system downtime will be mailed on Friday, May 30th.

Benefit Summary - Flexible Spending Accounts
Benefit Administrator - The Ohio State University
FSA Online
Full listing of eligible and ineligible health care expenses. (This link takes you to a secure sign-in page. You will need your OSU name.# and password to sign-in. Then click on the link to the full listing of eligible and ineligible health care expenses.)
IRS publication 503, a full listing of qualified dependent care expenses.
Extended Plan Year FAQ, reimbursement information and example
FSA Dependent Care Request for Reimbursement
FSA Health Care Request for Reimbursement
FSA Worksheets to help you calculate your expenses
Flexible Spending Accounts - Plan Details
Effective Date - Flexible Spending Accounts
Termination of Enrollment - Flexible Spending Accounts

If you are unsure whether or not you are eligible for this benefit, go to Benefit Eligibility.

Are my dependents, spouse, or partner eligible for this benefit?

This benefit may be available for expenses incurred by your eligible spouse and dependents.

How/when can I sign up?

Eligible employees may enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) within 31 days of hire, during Open Enrollment, or within 31 days of a qualifying status change. You can enroll by completing the FSA Election Form. You must re-enroll each year, even if you are not making any changes to your elections. Once begun, contributions to an FSA cannot be stopped or changed during the plan year except when a qualifying status change occurs.

How do I use this benefit?

Complete the FSA Dependent Care Request for Reimbursement or the FSA Health Care Request for Reimbursement and provide documentation of your expense(s). Return forms to the Office of Human Resources.

Payroll Contribution Period: January 1 – December 31, a 12-month period to make pre-tax payroll contributions

Incurred Expense Period: January 1 – February 28, a 14-month claim period to incur expenses

Reimbursement Period: January 1 – March 31, a 15-month period to request payment for eligible expenses

Will this affect my taxes?

Flexible Spending Account contributions are taken from your pay before taxes, reducing the gross amount that can be taxed. Please consult a tax advisor for any questions that you may have regarding the tax implications.

When can I change my benefit elections?

Eligible employees may change their Flexible Spending Account elections during Open Enrollment, or within 31 days of a qualifying status change. You can enroll by completing the FSA Qualifying Event Election Form. You must re-enroll each year, even if you are not making any changes to your elections. Once begun, contributions to an FSA cannot be stopped or changed during the plan year except when a qualifying status change occurs.

Who do I contact regarding claims?

FSA Online (view FSA contributions, claims, payment history, and current status)

Office of Human Resources, Customer Service Center

What would cause this benefit coverage to end?

transfer to a non-benefit eligible position

terminate university employment

retire

take an approved unpaid leave of absence

What happens to this benefit when I leave OSU?

Benefit coverage ends when employment with the university ends.

Who do I call for more information about this benefit?

Office of Human Resources Customer Service Center (enrollment and eligibility verification, forms, plan booklets)

Will my privacy be protected?

View the HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices for more information on how your personal information is protected.

Publications and Forms

Find Benefit publications on the Publications page and related forms on the Forms Web page.

This information is intended to be a summary of plan provisions. For additional information, refer to plan booklets available online and through the Office of Human Resources Customer Service Center.

Life Events
The Life Event Web site provides you with information to consider when major life changes like retirement, marriage, or termination of employment occur. Each page lists your options, tells you who to consult with questions, links you to forms and publications, describes how to make changes to your benefits, and more.

BENEFITS

The Ohio State University

www.osu.edu