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 »  Flexible Spending Account Frequently Asked Questions

Benefits | Customer Service | Flexible Spending Accounts | Group Administrators | Health Savings Accounts

Unreimbursed Medical Dependent Day Care

Q: What is a flexible spending account?
A: It is a way to set aside money on a pre-tax basis for your out of pocket medical, dental, vision, and dependent care expenses for a benefit year. There are two (2) types of accounts: unreimbursed medical (URM) and dependent day care (DDC).
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Q: Can I switch dollars between the dependent day care and unreimbursed medical expense accounts?
A: No. The dollars must be used in each account as specified on the election form.
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Q: Can I view my account on-line?
A: Yes, simply Request an Account Activation Code. Your AAC number will be mailed to you within 7-10 business days. This will enable you to view information such as account balance, last claim paid and last deposit received.
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Q: How long will it take for my claim to be processed?
A: Once the first deposit is received and posted, claims are processed an average of 5-7 working business days from received date. If you fax your claim, you will save on mail time. You can also sign up to have your reimbursement deposited directly into your savings or checking account. Please see the Authorization for Automatic Deposit form for details.
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Q: How can I check the status of my claim or find out if you received my fax?
A: We are unable to verify the receipt of your fax for 1 full business day after it is sent, however, after that time we are happy to confirm its receipt. If you have provided American Fidelity with a valid e-mail address on your voucher form, you will be notified (by e-mail) when your claim has been received and when your reimbursement check has been mailed. To check on the status of your fax, you may also Contact the Flex Department.
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Q: The run-off period for my plan will end very soon. Does my claim have to be in your office by the last day of the run-off period, or just postmarked by this date?
A: Claims must be received in our office on or before the last day of the run-off period. American Fidelity will not honor claims received after the run-off ends.
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Q: What does URM and DDC stand for?
A: URM stands for unreimbursed medical and DDC stands for dependent day care.
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Q: What do I need to do if my claim is denied for insufficient information?
A: A new claim must be filed with a voucher and the additional documentation being requested.
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Q: What do I need to do if I terminate employment?
A: Contact your payroll department for options and dates in which you can file for claims.
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Unreimbursed Medical

Q: What is a qualified medical expense for reimbursement under the plan?
A: Eligible medical expenses include deductible and coinsurance amounts under a group health plan, charges that are in excess of the amount reimbursed under a group health plan, medications, vision care, dental care and hearing aids. For a more complete list please see the Eligible Expenses list.
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Q: What paperwork is required for an unreimbursed medical expense claim?
A: We need a receipt or an itemized statement from the medical provider of service that includes; 1. Date of service, 2. Type of service and 3. Your charge for the service. Dual purpose items (noted as "DP" on the Eligible Expenses list) require that a medical practitioner's statement including diagnosis of the medical condition and recommended treatment accompany the reimbursement voucher.
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Q: Can I claim massage therapy on my unreimbursed medical expense account?
A: Massages treating a specific injury or trauma are eligible. You are required to submit a doctor's statement with your claim that states the specific injury or trauma being treated. Massages to relieve stress and for general health are not eligible.
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Q: Can I be reimbursed for the full amount of my child's orthodontics?
A: Yes. Complete an expense reimbursement voucher and attach a copy of the orthodontia contract that includes 1. The contract amount, 2. The beginning date of the contract, 3. The estimated length of service, and 4. Beginning January 1, 2009, we must have a receipt showing the amount has been paid before we can reimburse.
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Q: What is stockpiling?
A: Stockpiling is the purchase of more over-the-counter drugs than can be used during the current plan year. I.R.S guidelines do not allow stockpiling of over-the-counter drugs in order for a participant to use up their annual election under the plan.
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Q: How often can I file claims on my unreimbursed medical expense account?
A: Any time throughout the plan year and your run-off period.
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Q: Can I only claim the amount that is deposited into my unreimbursed medical expense account?
A: No. Once we receive the first deposit you can be reimbursed up to your annual election.
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Q: I am making a monthly payment to pay for surgery I had last year, are these payments eligible?
A: No. The date of the surgery must fall within your plan year, while you are actively participating in the plan. Payments for something that occurred before your plan year are not eligible.
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Q: How long do I have to submit my medical expense claims for reimbursement?
A: If your employer allows for the grace period on the unreimbursed medical expense account, you will have an extended length of time after the end of your plan year to incur and submit claims. At the end of the grace period, you will have an additional length of time (the run-off period) to submit claims that were incurred during the immediately preceding plan year and/or grace period following that plan year. Please consult your employer for details pertaining to the grace period.

If your employer does not allow for the grace period on the on the unreimbursed medical expense account, you will have a run-off period (usually 90 days) after your plan year ends during which you may submit claims for reimbursement which were incurred during the immediately preceding plan year.
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Q: How do I get reimbursed for my mileage?
A: Reimbursements for mileage may be reimbursed either by submitting a Medical Travel Log voucher or by submitting all of the required information listed within. This includes how many miles were traveled, what the treatment was for, who the treatment was for, where the facility was located and the dollar amount that is being claimed.
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Dependent Day Care

Q: Who qualifies as a dependent for reimbursement of dependent day care expenses?
A: Qualifying dependents must meet specific criteria, established by the I.R.S., in order to qualify for dependent day care expense reimbursement. For detailed information, please see the Guidelines for Qualifying Dependents.
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Q: What if my dependent care expense voucher is for expenses in excess of the amount in my account?
A: You will be reimbursed for the amount in your account, the balance of the expenses will be forwarded to you as additional deposits are received for your account.
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Q: Can I submit daycare expenses for reimbursement if my spouse is not employed?
A: If a spouse does not work, is not looking for work, and is not disabled or a full-time student, daycare expenses are not reimbursable.

If your spouse is either a full-time student or not able to care for himself or herself, your spouse will be considered to have earned income of $250 a month if there is one qualifying dependent in the home, or $500 a month if there are two or more qualifying dependents in the home. Therefore, qualified daycare expenses are reimbursable.
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