Health/Dependent Reimbursement
Take advantage of Health Care and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts, which allow you to use pre-tax payroll dollars to pay for eligible expenses, reducing your overall tax liability and saving money. Our reimbursement accounts are administered by Employee Benefit Plan Administration (EBPA).
Health Care Reimbursement Account Guidelines
In 2018, you can set aside a minimum of $120 and a maximum of $2,650 in pre-tax dollars in your Health Care Reimbursement Account to pay for eligible health care expenses not covered by insurance.
Because the IRS regulates reimbursement accounts, you should be aware of the following guidelines:
- Any unused Health Care Reimbursement Account funds are forfeited on March 31
- You can only be reimbursed for IRS-defined eligible expenses, which are listed on the Over-the-Counter Expenses Sheet and the Health Care Eligible Expenses Sheet
- Be sure to accurately estimate your future out of pocket health care expenses for the upcoming calendar year
- You must re-enroll in your Health Care Reimbursement Account each calendar year during Open Enrollment
QUICK LINKS |
|
Wondering how much to contribute to your Health Care Reimbursement Account? Use this worksheet and comprehensive list of covered items . |
Making the Most of Your Health Care Reimbursement Account
Our Health Care Reimbursement Account administrator – EBPA – provides you with a health care debit card, which you can use to pay for eligible health care expenses. When using your debit card, it’s important that you keep your receipts and provide them to EBPA when requested. Instead of using your debit card, you may also file a claim form.
For more information, consult one of these resources:
-
Learn more about the debit card.
-
Use the EBPA Fax Cover Page when submitting expense substantiation.
-
File a claim by completing the Reimbursement Account Claim Form and attaching an itemized bill, containing the name of the patient, provider, dates of service and amount not paid by other insurance, if any. Then, return it to EBPA at the address or fax number on the form. (Reimbursements are processed weekly.)
-
Receive your reimbursement via direct deposit by completing the direct deposit form and returning it to EBPA at the address on the form.
-
Create an EBPA online account to conveniently track your information
Important Deadlines for Your Health Care Reimbursement Account
The claims submitted for health care reimbursement must have a date of service during the calendar year of enrollment or during the grace period, which extends until March 15 of the following year. Claims for the prior year and the grace period can be submitted until March 31 of the following year. Unused funds are forfeited if claims are not submitted.
Account statements are mailed on a semi-annual basis at the end of June and the beginning of December – or you can conveniently access your account online. Keep in mind that health care expenses that have been reimbursed cannot be claimed on federal income-tax returns.
Dependent Care Reimbursement Account Guidelines
In 2018, you can set aside a minimum of $120 and a maximum of $5,000 in pre-tax dollars in your Dependent Care Reimbursement Account to pay for eligible dependent care expenses.
Because the IRS regulates reimbursement accounts, you should be aware of the following guidelines:
- Claims must be incurred within the calendar year and submitted by March 31 of the following year or funds are forfeited. Be sure to accurately estimate your future expenses
- You can only be reimbursed for IRS-defined eligible expenses, which are listed on the Dependent Care Eligible Expenses Sheet
- You must re-enroll in your Dependent Care Reimbursement Account each calendar year during Open Enrollment
QUICK LINKS |
|
Wondering how much to contribute to your Dependent Care Reimbursement Account? Use this worksheet for help calculating the amount. |
Making the Most of Your Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
Once you’re enrolled in the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, you may begin to file claims. To file a claim, complete the Reimbursement Account Claim Form and attach a receipt containing the name(s) of the covered dependent, period(s) covered, provider name and address and the provider's tax ID.
The claim form can also be used as a receipt if the provider section of the claim form is completed by a dependent care provider. Please return completed claim forms to EBPA at the address or fax number below with an EBPA Fax Cover Page.
If you’d prefer to receive your reimbursement via direct deposit, complete the direct deposit form and return it to EBPA at the address on the form.
Important Deadlines for Your Dependent Care Reimbursement Account
The periods that reimbursement is claimed must occur during the calendar year for which you are enrolled. Claims for the prior year can continue to be submitted until March 31 of the following year. Unused funds are forfeited if claims are not submitted.
Claims for the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account are processed weekly and made payable to you. If claims are submitted for more than what is in the account, a check will be issued for the current account balance. As the account is funded, EBPA will pay the remaining unpaid balance on the claim.
Account statements are mailed on a semi-annual basis at the end of June and the beginning of December. Keep in mind that dependent care care expenses that have been reimbursed cannot be claimed on your federal income-tax returns.
Eligibility and Enrollment
Find out exactly which benefits you’re eligible for by reviewing our Eligibility and Enrollment Guidelines.
If you’re a newly hired employee or have experienced a qualifying life event such as a marriage, you may enroll or modify your benefits within 30 days of the event. Use the Benefits Navigator tool located in myNEU. If you have any questions, just contact the HRM Customer Service Center at 617.373.2230.
All other employees may modify their benefits during our once-a-year Open Enrollment.
Contact Information
EBPA
P.O. Box 1140
Exeter, NH 03833-1140
Phone: 888.678.3457
Fax: 603.773.4415