Fresno County, California

FLEX SPENDING ACCOUNT INFORMATION

Active Employees

This program allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified expenses that you incur between January 1 and December 31, 2010. In addition, the program allows a grace period for expenses incurred from January 1, 2011 through March 15, 2011, if you have monies remaining in your 2010 account.

If you are in Units 13 or 39, please click here.

By enrolling in the FLEX plan:

1. Your contribution will be deducted from your pay before Social Security, Federal and State Income taxes are calculated.
2. You save money because you do not pay taxes on the amounts you have deducted.  Click here to use a tax savings calculator (internet access required)

Flexible Spending Account Forms
Click here for the flex medical, dependent care, transportation & parking forms.

Flexible Spending Account Plan Overview
Click here for an overview of the flex spending account plan.

Flexible Spending Summary Plan Description
Click here for a summary of the Flexible Benefit Plan.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Click here to view the flex spending account FAQ's

TAX SAVING OPTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION:

1. Pay Out-of-Pocket Health Insurance Premiums Pre-Tax: Take advantage of significant tax savings by paying your out-of pocket health insurance premiums through the FLEX plan. 
   
   Please Note:  Your out-of-pocket contribution to health insurance premiums are automatically deducted pre-tax unless you decline.  If you do not want your out-of-pocket health premium paid with pre-tax dollars, contact the Open Enrollment Office at 488-2690 or Employee Benefits at 488-3069 to complete the necessary form.
   
   
2. Enroll in the Health Care and the Dependent Care Spending Accounts:  Use the Health Care Spending Account to obtain reimbursement for up to $2,000 in health-related expenses not covered by your health insurance plan such as medical or dental office visit co-payments and deductibles, etc.  You can also get reimbursed for up to $5,000 in dependent care expenses that are work-related by enrolling in the Dependent Care Spending Account.
   
   Employees can also claim expenses for their over-the-counter drugs used to alleviate or treat personal injuries or sickness (e.g. antacid, allergy medicine, pain relievers, cold medicine).  However, dietary supplements and vitamins without a prescription are still not eligible.
   
   
3. Flex your Disability Insurance Premium: This option is available if you are covered by CIGNA.  Note:  If you choose to flex your disability premiums, should you receive disability  benefits, those dollars will be taxable income.
   
   
4. Flex your Supplemental Life Insurance Premium: Employees in Units 19, 22, 30 & 36 are also able to flex their Life Insurance Premium.

HOW TO SIGN UP:

• You must re-enroll each plan year.
• You must complete the enrollment form to participate in the Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account options, and/or to flex qualifying disability premiums.
• Participants must specify the biweekly amount on the enrollment form to be deducted for Plan Year 2010.
• You must re-enroll and designate your total elections and biweekly deduction even if you are currently participating in the 2009 plan year.   An enrollment form was mailed to you, or you may obtain one from your departmental personnel office, the Open Enrollment Office or Employee Benefits.

Everyone who participates in the Flexible Benefit Plan for medical expenses and/or child care expenses may utilize a debit card.  The debit card works like a MasterCard and will be loaded with your annual election for medical expenses.   Deposits will be made each pay day to the dependent care account.

To use this convenient feature, you must complete the Debit Card Agreement section of the enrollment form.  Note:  If you utilized a debit card in plan year 2009, please do not discard it.  The debit cards are valid for 3 years; if you enroll for flexible plan year 2010, your debit card will be "re-loaded" if you have not had your card longer than 3 years.

Important Program Facts to Remember:

• If you participated in the flex program for plan year 2009 and you have monies remaining in your account, you have until March 15, 2010 to incur additional qualifing expenses; and you have until May 15, 2010 to submit your claims to Total Benefit Services to be reimbursed.  If you do not file your claims by the deadline, you will forfeit any remaining contributions in the spending accounts.
• FLEX is NOT completely FLEXIBLE.  After you enroll, you cannot make changes during the plan year unless you have a Qualified Status Change, such as a marriage or divorce.
• Flexing your health premiums may also impact your ability to make health insurance enrollment changes (See the Frequently Asked Questions Sheet in your Health Plan Open Enrollment Packet for additional Information).

If you have any questions, please review the Flex Spending Accounts Frequently Asked Questions.  If your question is not answered, please contact Employee Benefits at 488-3069 or call Total Benefit Services at (559) 431-7062 or (800) 446-4201.