2023 Benefits Guide

2023

Flexible Spending Accounts

Three different types of Flexible Spending Accounts allow you to pay for expenses not covered by other medical, dental or vision coverage.

MEDICAL FLEX

Plan Highlights

  • You don't need to be enrolled in a Carle insurance plan to have a Medical Flex account.
  • Use to pay for expenses not covered by health or dental plans — deductibles, coinsurance/co-pays, glasses/contacts, braces and eligible over-the-counter items
  • Contribute up to the IRS limit each year to your account 
  • 100 percent of the fund amount you've chosen is immediately available to use — even if you haven't made all the contributions — though you'll still have to submit receipts.
  • Use a Flex Card (like a debit card) to immediately pay for expenses or submit a manual reimbursement.
  • Funds don't rollover year to year. Purchases must be made by December 31 of the plan year — you have until the following March 31 to submit a claim for reimbursement.

 This plan may be right for you if:

  • you are participating in the PPO plan.
  • you can estimate your medical expenses for the year.
  • you like the freedom of having the entire amount available immediately.
  • you are comfortable locking in the amount in your account at the beginning of the year. You won't be able to change it unless you have an IRS Qualifying Life Event like marriage or divorce, birth or change in employment status.

LIMITED FLEX

Plan Highlights

  • Use to pay for dental and vision expenses ONLY
  • Same contribution limit and reimbursement guidelines as the Medical Flex
  • Funds don't rollover year to year. Purchases must be made by December 31 of the plan year — you have until the following March 31 to submit a claim for reimbursement.

 This plan may be right if:

  • are participating in the HDHP with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • expect to incur vision and/or dental expenses
  • want to have the committed fund amount available at the beginning of the year

DEPENDENT CARE FLEX

Plan Highlights

  • Contribute up to the IRS limit each year to your account. Or you could claim those expenses for the dependent-care credit when you file your tax return — but you can't do both. If your spouse has a similar account, there's one combined household limit.
  • You must first contribute to the account to use any funds. 
  • Funds don't rollover year to year. Expenses must be incurred by December 31 of the plan year — you have until the following March 31 to submit a claim for reimbursement.

 This plan may be right if you:

  • have daycare expenses for children under 13 or elderly dependents while you or your spouse work or attend school

 Good to Know

  • To participate in any of the Flex programs, you must re-enroll each year. Previous year elections won't carry over.
  • Benefit Planning Consultants (BPC) offers a complete list of Eligible Expenses, tools such as a Flex Expense Worksheet and a Tax Savings Calculator on their website – find the link on the Human Resources page on CLICK.