TexFlex health care FSA and limited FSA FAQs for terminations


Yes, you can continue to participate in the TexFlex health care FSA or TexFlex limited FSA through COBRA until the end of the plan year by submitting payment to ERS within 105 days from the last day of the month in which your employment ends.

Send a check or money order (payable to ERS TexFlex Program) to ERS using the payment coupons provided to you at the time you terminate employment. Payments are due on the first of each month. You can submit claims for expenses you incur during the months you participate.

Visit www.ers.texas.gov/former-employees/forms/2945 for additional payment coupons.

Your debit card is deactivated on the last day of the month your employment ends. If you continue participation, you can file claims online, by mail, mobile app or fax.

You can stop participating at any time. You can only submit claims for eligible expenses you incur during the months you choose to continue participation.
For example, if you terminate employment in January, and continue participation in the health care account through COBRA through April, you can only submit claims for expenses you incurred through the month of April. You have until December 31 to file claims.

You do not have to continue contributing to your TexFlex health care or TexFlex limited FSA after you terminate employment or retire. If you do not choose to continue your participation in the health care FSA or limited FSA through COBRA, your account will be closed and you can only submit claims for expenses you incurred prior to your employment termination date.

You can continue your participation in the TexFlex health care or TexFlex limited FSA through COBRA until the end of the plan year.
For example, if you terminate employment in December, you can continue participating in the TexFlex health care account through August 31 the following year.

Contributions are post-tax once you terminate employment and choose to continue TexFlex health care FSA or limited FSA through COBRA. You no longer have the option of taking the remaining contribution out pre-tax from your last paycheck or your lump sum annual leave payment.

Yes, you can increase or decrease your contribution upon rehire.

You must be an active employee through August 31 to carry-over any money into the next plan year. If you terminate employment after August 31 and elect COBRA to contribute through the remaining months, you will be eligible to carry-over any remaining funds into the next year even though you are not an active employee. COBRA contributions must be made with after-tax dollars and will cease at the conclusion of the plan year. You will have access to carry-over funds indefinitely until funds are exhausted.

You are not required to continue health, dental or vision coverage through COBRA to continue participation in the TexFlex health care FSA or TexFlex limited FSA through the end of the plan year, August 31.

At the end of the plan year, August 31, any remaining funds will be forfeited.

You can submit claims though December 31. The claims must be for expenses you incurred during the months you participated. For example, if you retire in February and you elect to continue the TexFlex health care account through COBRA through July, you can submit claims no later than December 31, for expenses incurred through July 31.