FAQ

What if I want to make changes during the year?
You may only change your elections during the plan year if you have a Change in Family Status: birth, death, marriage, divorce, legal separation, adoption or change in you or your spouse's employment. A change can only be made if it is consistent with the change qualified event.

How often can I change the plan?
With the exception of family status changes, election changes can only be made once a year, before the beginning of each plan year.

How much can I allocate?
Your employer will announce the maximum limit for your spending accounts. Remember to keep your elections conservative; all unused funds will be forfeited at the end of each plan year.

Who receives the reimbursement payments?
A direct deposit or check will only be reimbursed to you the employee. The reimbursement though, may be for an expense incurred by your spouse or children whether or not they are covered on your employer's health plan as long as the expense is not covered by another plan.

How often can I submit claims?
Anytime you wish; however, we pay claims on Wednesdays and Fridays. Make certain the claim form is signed, and receipts are attached that reflect the date of service, type of service and the charges for the procedure. All Claims received in our Cincinnati office by Monday or Wednesday at 5:00PM Eastern Standard Time will have reimbursement processed on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

How long do I have to submit claims?
Most plans allow the full plan year, plus 90 days to submit claims. However this may vary from plan to plan. Please contact your Human Resource Department, or you may contact our Cutomer Service Department at 800-877-6630.

What happens if I lose my job? 
This varies from plan to plan. Please contact your Human Resource Department or you may contact our Customer Service Department at 800-877-6630. 

Do we have to be in my employer's medical program to participate in this plan?
No, this program is a separate benefit program and does not affect your current medical program.

What if I go on an unpaid leave of absence?
Contributions to the fund will cease while not receiving a paycheck. When you return to work, you may: A) Maintain your annual election amount for the plan year and make up amounts not deducted during your leave; or B) Make a change in your annual election amount since the leave of absence was a change in family status, but the change must be consistent with the change in family status.

Will this plan have any effect on my current medical coverage?
No, this program only provides for a method of payment with pre-tax dollars for services not provided in your current benefit package: deductibles, co-insurance, bills in excess of usual, customary and reasonable, other out-of-pocket medical expenses, and dependent care costs.

What is the maximum deduction for child care?
Using the Child Care Tax Credit program, you are limited to $3,000 for one child and $6,000 for two or more children. Under the Dependent Care Assistance program, you are limited to $5,000 per year for one or more children per household.

If I have custody of my child, who is allowed to use Dependent Care Assistance if my ex-spouse has the legal right to claim my child(ren) as a dependent on his/her Federal Income Tax Return?
The custodial parent has the right to Dependent Care Assistance through the non-custodial parent received the dependency exemption. "Custodial parent" means, the parent having custody for a greater portion of the year and provides over half of the support of the child.

Can my Medical Expense Reimbursement funds be used for Dependent Care and vice versa?
No, federal law requires separate funds for Dependent Care Assistance and Medical Expense Reimbursements.

When must I enroll?
Your enrollments must be completed during the open enrollment period before the beginning of any plan year.

Are these dollars ever taxed?
No, since they are a true reduction of earnings and become tax-free benefits, they never become taxable.

For more information, contact Customer Service at (800) 877-6630, or by e-mail at 125@sheakley.com.