Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
Ohio State offers a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to employees who are enrolled in The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Health Plan. An HRA is an employer-funded account from which you can be reimbursed, tax-free for eligible health care expenses.
You earn access to an HRA through participation in Ohio State’s Your Plan for Health (YP4H) Incentive Program. This is part of the university’s continued effort to provide access to high-quality benefits that help support both your wellness and financial goals.
Documents and Resources
How to earn 2024 HRA Credits
Step 1: You COMPLETE Level 1 of the YP4H Incentive Program.
Step 2: Ohio State adds a $10 credit to an HRA that has been set up for you. Within four days, your $10 credit will appear in your online account with HealthEquity, Ohio State’s HRA administrator. You can use your HRA credits or save them if you don’t have eligible expenses.
Step 3: You PARTICIPATE in YP4H programs and challenges to earn points.
Step 4: Ohio State ADDS additional HRA credits once you earn enough points to reach incentive program Levels 2, 3 and 4 each quarter.
HRA Details
Plan Year: January 1 – December 31, 2024
HRA credits earned through the YP4H incentive program will be added to 2024 HRA in HealthEquity.
Incurred Expense/Reimbursement Window: January 1, 2024 – December, 31, 2024
Incur eligible expenses to be reimbursed from the funds in your 2024 HRA.
Reimbursement Filing Deadline: March 31, 2025
All reimbursement requests for expenses incurred January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 must be received by HealthEquity no later than March 31, 2025.
HRA Rollover: mid April 2025
If you have unused 2024 HRA funds, up to $3,900 will carryover to 2025 as long as you are an Ohio State employee carrying a medical plan under The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Health Plans (the “Plan”) or medical coverage through COBRA at the time of the rollover.
Unused HRA funds will roll over to the next year as long as you are an Ohio State employee carrying a medical plan under The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Health Plans (the “Plan”) or medical coverage through COBRA at that time. The maximum allowable amount of accumulated contributions in your HRA is $3,900. Any funds over the maximum allowable amount will be forfeited.
HRA balances are not eligible to be transferred to another HRA account. They must remain in the HRA account under which they were earned. This includes individuals who move from Ohio State medical plan as an employee to another Ohio State medical plan as a dependent.
Ohio State faculty and staff enrolled in an Ohio State medical plan are eligible to earn up to $500 in HRA credits in 2024. Another $500 can be earned by your enrolled spouse partner. Not enrolled in an Ohio State medical plan? You can still participate in YP4H activities and earn PulseCash.
Participants who are enrolled in The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Health Plan can earn $100 in HRA credits each quarter upon completion of each of Levels 1 through 4 in the YP4H Incentive Program.
In addition to earning HRA credits quarterly, participants can also earn a $100 HRA bonus annually. For more information about how to earn credits, including the bonus, please visit YP4H Incentive Program.
You can use the credits to pay for eligible health care costs, such as deductibles, coinsurance and copayments that you are responsible for paying under your medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plans for yourself and/or your enrolled dependents. The IRS defines expenses that are eligible for reimbursement through an HRA.
Unused HRA funds roll over to the next year as long as you are an Ohio State employee carrying a medical plan under The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Health Plans (the “Plan”) or medical coverage through COBRA at that time. The maximum allowable amount of accumulated contributions in your HRA is $3,900. Any funds over the maximum allowable amount will be forfeited.
HRA balances are not eligible to be transferred to another HRA account. They must remain in the HRA account under which they were earned. This includes individuals who move from Ohio State medical plan as an employee to another Ohio State medical plan as a dependent.
HealthEquity|WageWorks, is the administrator for HRA, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA). You can access your HRA account online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From your online account, you can check your account balance, track expenses and file a claim. Go to Workday, click Menu, select Benefits and Pay Hub and click the “My FSA/HRA/LSA (HealthEquity)” link under suggested links.
You have multiple options for filing a claim:
HealthEquity Health Care Debit card (Health Care FSA or HRA only)
You can use your HealthEquity Health Care Card to pay for eligible health care expenses and funds will automatically be deducted from your health care FSA. Documentation is required by the IRS for all FSA reimbursements. HealthEquity will use software and claims files from university health plan administrators, such as Luminare Health, Delta Dental and Vision Service Plan to automatically substantiate expense.
If an expense cannot be validated automatically using the above methods, HealthEquity will request documentation from participants. Participants have a total of 90 days from the initial card payment to provide requested documentation. During this timeframe, HealthEquity will continue to apply files from health plan administrators to auto-substantiate claims. Failure to provide documentation within 90 days will result in your health care card being suspended until the outstanding claim has been resolved.
Online
To file a claim online, go to Workday, click Menu, select Benefits and Pay Hub and click the “My FSA/HRA/LSA (HealthEquity)” link under suggested links. Scan and upload appropriate receipts.
Paper Form
Fill out a HealthEquity|WageWorks Reimbursement Claim Form and fax or mail it to HealthEquity|Wageworks with copies of the appropriate receipts.
Mobile
With the EZ Receipts mobile app, you can file and manage your reimbursement claims and upload documentation of a Health Care Card expense on the spot, with a click of your mobile device camera, from anywhere.
To use EZ Receipts:
- Go to Workday, click Menu, select Benefits and Pay Hub and click the “My FSA/HRA/HRA (HealthEquity)” link under suggested links.
- On the account page click your name at the top right, click Profile.
- Click on one of the active accounts under your profile.
- On the next page at the left click username & password, this information will be specific to the EZ Receipts mobile app.
- Enter a username
- Enter a password, click save changes.
- Download EZ Receipts in the Apple app store or Google Play. Enter the username and password above to use the app after download.
An HRA is similar to a Health Care FSA, but there are important differences. View the detailed comparison chart below.
| Question/Topic | Health Care FSA | HRA |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | An account that can be used to pay for eligible health care expenses, as defined by the IRS. | An account that can be used to pay for eligible health care expenses, as defined by the IRS. |
| Who can contribute? | Only employees contribute to Health Care FSAs under Ohio State’s program. | Only the employer can contribute to an HRA. |
| How do I get an account? | You can sign up for a Health Care FSA during Open Enrollment. | Once you complete Level 1 in the YP4H Incentive Program or the bonus incentive, an HRA will be funded with your first credit amount. Additional HRA funding is also available when you complete Levels 2-4 and when your enrolled spouse completes any of these incentive levels. |
| Do I need to be enrolled in an Ohio State medical plan to use this account? | No | Yes |
| Is there a limit on how much can be put in the account? | Yes, the IRS limits how much you can put into an FSA each year. Your contributions can range from $100 to $3,200 per year in 2024. | In 2024, you can earn up to $500 in HRA funding, and your enrolled spouse can earn an additional $500. 2024 HRA funding will be combined with any rollover funds you may have from the prior year. |
| Can I save unused contributions to use in future years? | No. You must incur eligible expenses to be reimbursed from your 2024 FSA during the period of January 1, 2024, through March 15, 2025. Any remaining funds after that time period will be forfeited. | Unused HRA funds will roll over to the next year as long as you are an Ohio State employee carrying a medical plan under The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Health Plans (the “Plan”) or medical coverage through COBRA at that time. The maximum allowable amount of accumulated contributions in your HRA is $3,900. Any funds over the maximum allowable amount will be forfeited.
HRA balances are not eligible to be transferred to another HRA account. They must remain in the HRA account under which they were earned. This includes individuals who move from Ohio State medical plan as an employee to another Ohio State medical plan as a dependent. |
| Can I be reimbursed for anything other than eligible health care expenses? | No | No |
| How do I get reimbursed for eligible health care expenses? | You can use your HealthEquity Health Care Card when you are paying for expenses at the point of service. Be sure to keep your receipts in case they are requested later to verify the claim. You may also submit reimbursement requests from your smart phone or computer, along with verification of the expense. | You can use your HealthEquity Health Care Card when you are paying for expenses at the point of service. Be sure to keep your receipts in case they are requested later to verify the claim. You may also submit reimbursement requests from your smart phone or computer, along with verification of the expense. |
| Can I choose the account from which I want to be reimbursed? | No. Health Care FSA funds will always be used first to reimburse eligible health care expenses because those funds are not eligible to be rolled over to the following year. Once any Health Care FSA funds are exhausted, you may begin to access HRA funds. | No. Available HRA funds can be used to reimburse eligible health care expenses only after any Health Care FSA funds have been exhausted. Unused funds at the end of the year are eligible to be rolled over as long as you are a covered employee under the Ohio State medical plan at that time. |
| What happens if I terminate my Ohio State medical coverage and I have funds remaining in my account? | Funds in your Health Care FSA continue to be available for reimbursement of eligible health care expenses until the filing deadline if you remain employed in an eligible position with Ohio State. For information on the availability of FSA funds following a change in eligibility or employment termination see the FSA Specific Plan Details. | Unused credits in your HRA will continue to be available until the filing deadline only for reimbursement of eligible health care expenses incurred prior to the date your Ohio State medical plan terminates. Unreimbursed credits in your HRA after your medical plan termination date will be forfeited unless you elect COBRA medical coverage.
HRA balances are not eligible to be transferred to another HRA account, they must remain in the HRA account under which they were earned. This includes individuals who move from Ohio State medical plan as an employee to another Ohio State medical plan as a dependent. |
Effective April 1, 2023, TASC will charge a $5 MyCash Administrative fee. Participants can transfer MyCash balance to bank to avoid this fee.
Participants can continue to use the TASC portal to view prior balances, claims history and documentation. This information will not be transferred.
TASC can be contacted at (855) FLEX-OSU (353-9678).
What is a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)?
A Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) is an employer-funded, tax-advantaged account that can be used to help employees pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses.
How do I become eligible for an HRA?
Faculty and staff enrolled in an Ohio State medical plan earn HRA credits by completing the incentive levels in the Your Plan for Health (YP4H) Incentive Program or completing the bonus incentive. To earn the first credit amount for Level 1, you must complete 2,500 points in 2024. Additional credits can also be earned quarterly by completing incentive Levels 2, 3 and 4. Learn how to earn points.
Why should I use an HRA?
Participating in an HRA is a great way to stretch your budget. You can use the credits to pay for eligible health care costs, such as deductibles, coinsurance and copayments that you are responsible for paying under your medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plans for yourself and/or your enrolled dependents.
Am I required to have Ohio State medical coverage to use the HRA?
Yes. You must be enrolled in an Ohio State medical plan to be eligible to earn HRA credits.
How much may be contributed to my HRA?
Employees who are enrolled in an Ohio State medical plan have from January 1 – December 31, 2024, to earn the maximum 2024 HRA credits of $500 through Your Plan for Health (YP4H).
Each calendar quarter you are able to earn up to $100 HRA credits. You are also able to earn a $100 HRA credit bonus. by completing 2 of 4 new programs. Learn how to earn HRA credits.
Can my spouse earn HRA credits?
Yes, if your spouse is covered as dependent under your Ohio State medical plan they are eligible to earn up to an additional $500 in HRA credits.
Does my dependent need to be covered by an Ohio State medical plan in order for me to pay for their health care expenses through my HRA?
Yes.
Are the HRA credits available all at once?
No, HRA credits can be earned upon completion of each incentive level, each quarter, for a total of $100/quarter or $400/year.
- $10 in HRA credits – Complete Level 1
- $20 in HRA credits – Complete Level 2
- $30 in HRA credits – Complete Level 3
- $40 in HRA credits – Complete Level 4
- $100 in HRA credits – Complete the bonus
Learn how to earn HRA credits.
What expenses can I pay for with an HRA?
The IRS defines expenses that are eligible for reimbursement through an HRA in the same way that they are defined for reimbursement through a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
Do I lose my HRA credits if I don’t use them all during the plan year in which I earned them?
Unused HRA funds will roll over to the next year as long as you are an Ohio State employee carrying a medical plan under The Ohio State University Faculty and Staff Health Plans (the “Plan”) or medical coverage through COBRA at that time. The maximum allowable amount of accumulated contributions in your HRA is $3,900. Any funds over the maximum allowable amount will be forfeited.
HRA balances are not eligible to be transferred to another HRA account. They must remain in the HRA account under which they were earned. This includes individuals who move from Ohio State medical plan as an employee to another Ohio State medical plan as a dependent.
What is the maximum amount I can carry over in my HRA?
$3,900
Is there a deadline for submitting claims?
You have until March 31, 2025 to submit claims for eligible expenses incurred in 2024.
What happens if I terminate Ohio State medical coverage?
Unused credits in your HRA will continue to be available until the filing deadline, but only for reimbursement of health care expenses incurred before your Ohio State medical plan terminated. Unused credits in your HRA after the filing deadline remain with Ohio State unless you elect to continue your medical coverage through COBRA.
HRA balances are not eligible to be transferred to another HRA account, they must remain in the HRA account under which they were earned. This includes individuals who move from Ohio State medical plan as an employee to another Ohio State medical plan as a dependent.
This is intended to be an overview. Refer to the Plan Document for complete information. In the event the information on these pages differs from the Plan Document, the Plan Document will govern.