Flexible Spending Account

The Basics

United Healthcare and WageWorks/HealthEquity are the administrators of the City’s Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and the Commuter Benefit Plans.  Enrolling in these plans can allow employees to pay for eligible healthcare, dependent care, and commuter costs with pre-tax dollars, thereby saving money that would have gone to pay taxes on the income. 

Healthcare and Dependent Care FSA Enrollment must be elected every year during the Open Enrollment period (October 1st - October 31st) to be registered in the program for the following year.  

For more information about United Healthcare's Flexible Spending Account click here

For more information about how to use United Healthcare's Flexible Spending Account click here

 

Healthcare and Dependent Care FSA

Healthcare FSA

Employees can set aside up to $3,050 pre-tax per employee to pay for eligible healthcare expenses. 

Carryover rules for plan year 2023 -- Carryover funds from 2022 up to a $570 limit can be used on 2023 dates of service until the filing limit passes.  The 2023 claim filing limit date is 3-31-2024.

Carryover rules for plan year 2024 -- Carryover funds from 2023 up to a $610 limit can be used on 2024 dates of service until the filing limit passes.  The 2024 claim filing limit date is 3-31-2025.

Please contact United Healthcare at 1-877-311-7849 for information on filing claims.

Dependent Care FSA

Employees can set aside up to $5,000 per household pre-tax to pay for eligible dependent care expenses. 

Dependent Care FSA participants DO NOT carryover their unused balance from plan year ending 2023 to plan year ending 2024.

The qualified age for child-related dependent care expense is up until age 13.  Should you have reimbursable expenses for those dependents who reach age 13, you may contact United Healthcare by phone at 1-877-311-7849 for information on filing claims.

For more information about United Healthcare's Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account click here

Carryover rules for plan year 2023 -- No carryover allowed.  Only 2023 Dependent Care FSA funds can be used for 2023 dates of service.  No filing limit date extension applies.  Members have until 3-31-2024 to submit claims for 2023 dates of service.

Carryover rules for plan year 2024 –- No carryover allowed.  Only 2024 Dependent Care FSA funds can be used for 2024 dates of service.  No filing limit date extension applies.  Members have until 3-31-2025 to submit claims for 2024 dates of service.

Please contact United Healthcare at 1-877-311-7849 for information on filing claims.

 

Enrollment

Employees can enroll in the Healthcare and/or Dependent Care FSA online to enroll in United Healthcare's Flexible Spending Account or make changes to your existing account.

Employees are strongly encouraged to use the online enrollment for the Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs because it is faster and helps improve accuracy. 

Healthcare expenses like co-pays, prescriptions, and supplies can be paid for using the United Healthcare Spending Card.  The card cannot be used for up to one business day after the initial activation.  Other expenses will need to be submitted for reimbursement through your online account at myuhc.com or by completing a Request for Reimbursement Form from your FSA for Health Care Expenses.

Dependent Care expenses can also be paid using the United Health Care Spending Card on a reimbursement basis only.  Claim Forms are available at United Healthcare's website or by completing a Request for Reimbursement Form from your Dependent Care.

 

To enroll in United Healthcare's Healthcare and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account or make changes to your existing account follow the below process:

 

All City of New Orleans employees (except OPSO and OPSO) must enroll using the ADP system.

Click here to enroll: www.myadp.com

 

For Open Enrollment (Oct 1 – Oct 31)

  1. Log into your ADP account.
  2. Click on the “Benefits” box found in the top menu.
  3. Click on “Health & Welfare” found in the dropdown box.
  4. Select “Benefits” to begin.
  5. Find “Annual Enrollment” tile and click on “Enroll now”.
  6. Follow the prompts to make your election.
  7. Update and Confirm your elections and then download your confirmation.
  8. Review your Confirmation Statement.  If incorrect, return to the Benefits page to make changes.

 

For New Hire

  1. Log into your ADP account.
  2. Click on the “Benefits” box found in the top menu.
  3. Click on “Health & Welfare” found in the dropdown box.
  4. Select “Benefits” to begin.
  5. Find “New Hire” tile and click on “Enroll now”.
  6. Follow the prompts to make your election.
  7. Update and Confirm your elections and then download your confirmation.
  8. Review your Confirmation Statement.  If incorrect, return to the Benefits page to make changes.

 

For Qualifying Life Event

  1. Log into your ADP account.
  2. Click on the “Benefits” box found in the top menu.
  3. Click on “Health & Welfare” found in the dropdown box.
  4. Select “Benefits” to begin.
  5. Find “Report A Qualifying Change” tile and click on “Declare An Event”.
  6. Follow the prompts to make your election.
  7. Update and Confirm your elections and then download your confirmation.
  8. Review your Confirmation Statement.  If incorrect, return to the Benefits page to make changes.

 

OPCD and OPSO Employees

DO NOT enroll using the ADP system.  

For OPCD and OPSO employees only:  Click here to enroll.

 

 

Commuter Benefit FSA

In 2023 Employees can set aside up to $280 per month pre-tax to pay for commuter parking expenses and $280 per month pre-tax to pay for transit expenses.  This amount increases in 2024, as Employees may set aside up to $300 per month pre-tax for commuter parking expenses and $300 per month pre-tax for transit expenses. 

Unlike with the Healthcare and Dependent Care FSA, employees can change their election amount in any month during the plan year. 

Commuter Benefits are not available to OPCD and OPSO employees.

To enroll in WageWorks/HealthEquity's Commuter Benefits follow the below process:

  1. Click here to fill out the online Enrollment Form on the City website.
  2. Complete the enrollment process by visiting: www.healthequity.com/wageworks.  Once completed, the employee will receive an email confirmation.
  3. Select Commuter FSA (Parking Expenses) and/or Commuter FSA (Transit/Van Pool).  Both are up to $300 per month.
  4. Confirm both the City's and Health Equity's enrollment to ensure successful completion of enrollment in the program.
  5. New and existing participants may opt out or join the program every 10th of the month throughout the plan year after the open enrollment period.

For more information about WageWorks/HealthEquity's Commuter Expense Reimbursement Account (CERA) go online at www.wageworks.com or call 1-877-WAGEWORKS.

 

Change of Address

All city employees enrolling in the City’s HealthCare Plan and/or the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan who have had an address change within the last year must complete the following steps, in order, for their information to be updated into the United Healthcare system and the Automatic Data Processing (ADP) system.

View Change of Address Procedures

 

Determining How Much Money to Set Aside

Employees should review last year’s expenses and/or use online tools to help determine how much money to set aside in the FSA.  Once an employee decides how much money to set aside pre-tax, the employee cannot change the Healthcare and Dependent Care set-aside amounts for the remainder of the plan year, unless there is a qualified status change as described in the plan.

Remember:  While up to $610 of the Healthcare set aside can be carried over, money set aside for Dependent Care cannot be carried over.  It is recommended that employees be conservative in selecting set-aside amounts to avoid forfeiting unspent funds at the end of the year.  Visit uhc.welcometouhc.com for help estimating your annual healthcare expenses and potential tax savings from enrolling in the Healthcare FSA.

Employees who leave City employment before spending all the money they have contributed to FSAs may lose unspent money.  This applies to both terminated employees and those who resign voluntarily.  If you have a positive balance in the Healthcare FSA at the time of employment termination, you may file a claim for healthcare expenses up to the date of termination.  

Please contact United Healthcare at 1-877-311-7849 for information on filing claims.

 

Claims Submission

For ease of use, United Healthcare offers employees the electronic smart card to pay for eligible health care products and services, and parking/transit expenses.  Employees should keep documentation of card transactions as United Healthcare may request this from you if IRS regulations require them to do so.

For expenses paid by means other than the United Healthcare Spending Card, employees must submit a claim for reimbursement.  Claims must be for $25 or more.  Therefore, employees will need to group purchases less than $25 with other purchases so the total value of the claim submitted is at least $25.  

To submit a claim online:  myuhc.com

To submit a claim by fax:  1-866-262-6354

To submit a claim by mail:  Health Care Account Service Center; PO Box 981506; El Paso, TX  79998-1506

Employees can also download Apple or Android mobile apps that allow access to account information and submit receipts.

 

Make the most of your FSA funds by shopping for eligible products through the Optum Store.  The Optum Store provides convenient access to affordable products and services to help you live better by simplifying your health experience as you find everything you need all in one place.

Shop & Save on health and wellness brands you trust, at prices you love! | Optum Store

 

 

To learn more about FSAs and their benefits, please contact United Healthcare:

Hours of Operation:  Monday to Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Central Time)

UHC Customer Service:  1-866-649-4870

Healthcare Spending Card Customer Service:  1-866-755-2648  (24 hours / 7 days a week)

Fax:  1-248-733-6000

www.myuhc.com