A TexFlex^SM flexible spending account (FSA) lets you set aside money from your paycheck, pre-tax, to use for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. The TexFlex program is available to all benefits-eligible active employees. 

• Health care FSA – used to pay eligible out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision, hearing and prescription drug expenses and some over-the-counter items. Your full election amount is available for use up front, and pre-tax contributions are deducted from your paycheck on a monthly basis.
• Dependent care FSA – used to pay for eligible dependent care expenses to include child care, before and after school care, day camps and adult day care. Pre-tax contributions post to your dependent care account on a monthly basis and claims can only be filed after dependent care services have been received. 
• Limited FSA – only available to members participating in Consumer Directed HealthSelect and used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket dental and vision expenses only. Your full election amount is available for use up front, and pre-tax contributions are deducted from your paycheck on a monthly basis.

The TexFlex dependent care FSA and health care FSA contributions are deducted from your paycheck before taxes. This pre-tax deduction lowers your taxable income, so you pay less Federal income tax and Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax, saving you money.

Annual Savings	with TexFlex	without TexFlex
Annual pay	$50,000	$50,000
TexFlex pre-tax contribution	($2,000)	$0
Taxable income	$48,000	$50,000
Federal income, Social Security and Medicare taxes	($10,966)	($11,616)
After-tax dollars spent on eligible expenses	$0	($2,000)
Real spendable income	$37,034	$36,384
Savings with TexFlex	$650

* Sample tax savings for a single taxpayer with no dependents. Actual savings will vary based on your individual tax situation

The TexFlex program is available to all benefits-eligible active employees. Participation in the TexFlex program is voluntary. You don't have to enroll in the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) medical or dental plans to participate in the TexFlex health care FSA or dependent care FSA. 

Note: If you are enrolled in Consumer Directed HealthSelect, you cannot have a health care FSA, but you can have a limited FSA for eligible vision and dental expenses. 

No. There is a fee holiday for plan year 2017. 

Call toll-free (844) 884-2364, (TTY: 711), Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

You decide how much of your paycheck to contribute into either a health care or dependent care account, or both. Use the Decision Support Tool/Savings Calculator (link coming soon) to determine how much to contribute. Contributions are deducted from your paycheck before taxes.

How much can I contribute?

Minimum/Maximums	Annual Minimum	Annual Maximum
Health care account	$180	$2,650 per participant
Dependent care account	$180	$5,000* per household

* If you and your spouse each have a dependent care account, you are limited to $5,000 between the two of you.

Keep in mind you can carryover up to $500 in unused health care FSA funds to the next plan year. Any unused funds greater than the carryover limit will be forfeited. 

There are four ways to file claims for reimbursement.
You can: 

1. Use the TexFlex debit card* at the time of purchase (keep your receipts!). 
2. Upload your claims through the TexFlex website or mobile app after you have incurred the expense. 
3. Submit a claim by mail after you have incurred the expense to WageWorks, LLC. P.O. Box 34700, Louisville, KY 40232. 
4. Submit a claim by fax after you have incurred the expense. Fax number (866) 643-2219. 

You will receive reimbursements up to the amount available in your dependent care FSA balance. Once money is available in your account again, you'll be reimbursed for the remaining amount of the claim. You can file a claim only after you have received the service. If you file a claim prior to the services being received, it will be denied and you'll have to resubmit the claim. 

*NOTE: The TexFlex debit card cannot be used with dependent care FSA.
 

TexFlex debit cards for new participants will begin mailing in mid-August. When you get it, carefully review the information you receive in the cardholder packet. Be sure to follow the activation instructions before you attempt to use the card. By signing, activating and using the TexFlex debit card, you accept the terms of the Benefits Card Cardholder Agreement. If you do not receive a card by August 28 and you elected to participate in the TexFlex health care FSA or limited FSA, contact TexFlex Customer Care at (844) 884-2364. 

There is no fee for the debit card. The TexFlex debit card lets you conveniently pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses using your TexFlex health care FSA or limited FSA funds. Because your TexFlex account funds are pre-tax, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that the TexFlex debit card only be used at providers and retailers who provide eligible services and products. 

If you do not have your card when payment is due at the provider, you have the option of paying the expense using another form of payment and submitting a claim for reimbursement. 

Remember to always keep your receipts. The IRS requires FSA administrators validate that all debit card swipes are for eligible expenses. WageWorks will send you a TexFlex Card Swipe Validation Request if you’ve made a purchase with your TexFlex debit card that wasn’t automatically validated. The following are examples of purchases that may require an itemized receipt or Explanation of Benefits (EOB). 

• You used your card at a merchant that does have an inventory information approval system (IIAS). 
• WageWorks cannot match the amount of the transaction to one of your plan’s copay amounts. 
• The merchant or provider’s office does not provide enough detail to validate the expense. This may occur if you go to the dentist or hospital. 

Yes. You can only use your TexFlex debit card to pay for eligible health care FSA and limited FSA items purchased from merchants who accept VISA®. If the merchant or provider does not accept the card, you’ll need to pay for the items with another form of payment and then submit a claim for reimbursement. 

If your expense is greater than your available balance, your card will be declined. 

The TexFlex Card Swipe Validation Request is a notification sent by email (or by mail if you don’t have an email address on file) that explains you must send an itemized receipt or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to prove your purchase is eligible under IRS rules. The IRS requires all eligible expenses be verified. 

You can validate your card swipe online, by mail or by fax. 

Online: To validate your card swipe online, log in to your TexFlex account and select “Card Swipe Validation” on the left-hand menu. Step-by-step instructions are available on the, “How to Validate Your Card Swipe” flier. 

By fax or mail: If you prefer, you can validate your TexFlex card swipe manually. Print a copy of your Validation Request Form and send it to WageWorks with your itemized receipt or explanation of benefits (EOB). Fax to, (866) 643-2219 or mail to, WageWorks, LLC, P.O. Box 34700 | Louisville, KY 40232-4700.
 

Yes. Your TexFlex Card Swipe Request Form will provide you with an “Account Suspension Date.”

To view your TexFlex Card Swipe Request Form:

1. Log in to your TexFlex account.
2. Select, “Documents and Forms” in the left-hand menu.

It’s best to submit proper documentation to validate your card swipe as soon as you can after receiving a TexFlex Card Swipe Validation Request. But, if you don’t validate your card swipe within 30 days of the initial validation request date (listed on the TexFlex Card Swipe Validation Request Form), WageWorks will send you a second TexFlex Card Swipe Validation Request. 

If you don’t validate your card swipe after receiving your second TexFlex Card Swipe Validation Notice, you will receive a Card Suspension Notice. You will have 15 days from the date on your Card Suspension Notice to validate your card swipe. 

You must validate your TexFlex debit card transactions so you can continue using your TexFlex debit card for eligible purchases in the future. If you don't validate your card swipe by the “Account Suspension Date” listed on your TexFlex Card Swipe Validation Request Form, your TexFlex debit card will be suspended until your account is reconciled.

No. You will only receive a TexFlex Card Swipe Validation Request if you’ve made a purchase with your TexFlex debit card that wasn’t automatically validated. The following are examples of purchases that may not be automatically validated: 

• You used your card at a merchant that does not have an inventory information approval system (IIAS). 
• WageWorks cannot match the amount of the transaction to one of your plan’s copay amounts.
• The merchant or provider’s office does not provide enough detail to validate the expense. This may occur if you go to the dentist or hospital. 

If you can't provide an itemized receipt or EOB, you can send in a check or money order to repay the amount of the claim or submit a new, manual claim (for an eligible expense you paid for out of pocket) to offset the overpayment of the current claim.

If you do not make any changes to your TexFlex elections during Summer Enrollment, you will be automatically re-enrolled at your previous election amount. 

If the IRS allowed annual maximum increases, your contribution amount will not automatically be increased. You will need to change your contribution election during Summer Enrollment or with a qualifying life event. 

If you re-enroll in the TexFlex health care FSA, there is no carryover minimum. If you discontinue participation in the health care FSA for the new plan year, you must have a carry-over balance of at least $25. If you have less than this amount, you have until December 31 to file claims for expenses incurred in the previous plan year. You cannot use a health care FSA balance of less than $25 in the new plan year if you did not re-enroll. 

The carryover only applies to the TexFlex health care FSA and limited FSA. Carry over does not apply to dependent care accounts.

You must be a TexFlex health care FSA or limited FSA participant on August 31, the last day of the previous plan year, to qualify for the carry-over balance. This includes participation through COBRA continuation.

No. You can use your carry-over until you leave employment or exhaust the funds. You have until December 31 to submit claims incurred prior to your termination date. 

A TexFlex LFSA is an account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis – for both you and your eligible dependents – the same way a health care FSA does, except it is limited to dental and vision expenses so that it complies with IRS requirements. TexFlex LFSA is administered by WageWorks, Inc.

No. You can still contribute up to the IRS contribution limit each plan year. If you have a carry over amount, it will be in addition to the amount you elect to contribute in the new plan year. Therefore, you could have access up to $3,100 in your health care FSA or limited FSA balances if you carry over $500 from the previous plan year and contributed the full $2,600 for current plan year.

No. A health care FSA and limited FSA cannot offer both the carry-over and the grace period. For GBP participants, the carry-over is only available on the health care FSA and limited FSA. 

Note: the TexFlex dependent care FSA allows a grace period instead of a carry-over. 

No. The carry-over doesn't apply to a dependent care FSA. It is only available for TexFlex health care FSA and limited FSA. The dependent care FSA still includes the grace period through November 15 and any funds left in your account after the end of the run out period (December 31) will be forfeited. This means you must incur new expenses between September 1 and November 15 of the following year. The last day to submit claims is December 31. 

Carry-over funds will be available in mid-September following a blackout period. If you incur expenses during the blackout, you can file electronic and paper claims for those expenses and be reimbursed when the funds are made available. You will have access to your new plan year election immediately on September 1. 

Carry-over funds are used last to allow you to file claims for expenses incurred in the previous plan year through the run-out period (December 31). If you paid an eligible expense out-of-pocket in the previous plan year and file the claim during the run-out period, WageWorks will use the carry-over and any remaining funds first to reimburse you before using your new plan year election. This ensures you receive the maximum reimbursement. Keep in mind, carry-over funds do not expire. 

Yes. If you have an existing TexFlex debit card, you can continue to use it as long as you are actively employed and have a balance. 

If you leave employment prior to August 31, you would need to continue your participation until August 31 through COBRA for your balance to carryover. Otherwise, you won’t be eligible for the carry-over and any funds in your account after December 31 will be forfeited. 

Note: You would no longer be able to use your TexFlex debit card and would need to file paper claims for your eligible expenses.

TexFlex Card Swipe Validation Request is a notification sent by email (or by mail if you don’t have an email address on file) that explains you must send an itemized receipt or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to prove your purchase is eligible under IRS rules. The IRS requires all eligible expenses be verified. If you do not submit your itemized receipt or EOB, your debit card may be suspended. 

IRS rules require that expenses from your TexFlex dependent care FSA be incurred and services received before funds can be reimbursed to you. The debit card cannot confirm these criteria have been met, so your card cannot be used for dependent care expenses. 

Yes. To order a free TexFlex debit card for your spouse or dependents, sign in to your TexFlex account and select, “Request Additional Card,” or call TexFlex Customer Care toll-free at (844) 884-2364. 

To report a lost or stolen card, call UMB Health Care Services immediately at 1-888-835-3060. Please see your Benefits Card Cardholder Agreement for additional lost/stolen information. 
 

• Card Activation 1-800-832-3409 
• Lost/Stolen Card 1-888-835-3060 
• Change PIN Number 1-888-999-0121 
• TexFlex Customer Service 1-844-884-2364 

A TexFlex LFSA is an account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis – for both you and your eligible dependents – the same way a health care FSA does, except it is limited to dental and vision expenses so that it complies with IRS requirements. TexFlex LFSA is administered by WageWorks, Inc.

Only employees enrolled in Consumer Directed HealthSelect are eligible to enroll in an LFSA (retirees are not eligible). 

If you enroll in Consumer Directed HealthSelect, you don’t have to enroll in an LFSA. However, if you have a TexFlex health care FSA balance of $25 to $500, after August 31, 2016 an LFSA will be opened for you and your balance will be rolled over because IRS rules don’t allow you to participate in both a health care FSA and an HSA. Any amount less than $25 or over $500 will be forfeited (participants have until December 31, 2016 to file claims for Plan Year 2016 expenses before funds are forfeited). 

If you have less than $25 in your TexFlex health care FSA and enroll in an LFSA, the balance would be rolled over. 

Because an LFSA is a pre-tax benefit, the IRS limits the amount you can contribute to your account. The limits are determined each year by the IRS. The annual minimum contribution amount is $180 and the annual maximum contribution amount is $2,600. 

During Summer Enrollment, contact your benefits coordinator, ERS, or log in to your ERS account and elect the annual contribution amount you would like deducted from your paycheck monthly. Your annual contribution will be deducted before taxes and in equal amounts throughout the year. Your full annual pledge will be available on September 1, 2016.Remember, you must first enroll in Consumer Directed HealthSelect to enroll in an LFSA. 

You can carry-over up to $500 of your TexFlex LFSA funds to the next plan year. 

You can purchase eligible out-of-pocket dental and vision expenses only. General health care expenses that are eligible under a health care FSA are NOT eligible under an LFSA. Visit www.TexFlexERS.com to see the TexFlex Limited Flexible Spending Account Eligible Expense Guide under “Program Resources.” 

 

An LFSA lets you set money aside for eligible dental and vision expenses before taxes are taken out of your paycheck, which lowers your taxable income. 

When you enroll in an LFSA, you will automatically receive a free TexFlex debit card. The TexFlex debit card gives you immediate access to your entire annual contribution amount. Just swipe the card when it’s time to pay for your eligible dental and vision expenses. Keep all receipts in case you’re asked to provide verification at a later time.  

Note: If you currently participate in the TexFlex health care FSA or the TexFlex commuter spending account and already have a TexFlex debit card, you won’t receive another debit card, you’ll use the same one. 

If you pay out of pocket, you can file a claim online, by mail or fax. Claims are generally processed in 3 – 5 business days. Once your claim is approved, WageWorks reimburses you from your LFSA by sending a check or through direct deposit. 

When you terminate employment you can only submit claims for eligible dental and vision expenses incurred through your termination date.  You can choose to continue participation in your LFSA through COBRA and could file claims for eligible expenses incurred throughout your participation. 

Your TexFlex debit card is deactivated on the last day of the month in which your employment ends. 

Visit www.TexFlexERS.com for more information about the LFSA or call TexFlex Customer Care toll-free at (844) 884-2364. Representatives are available 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CT, Monday – Friday.