doctor’s prescription to be eligible for reimbursement under the HCSAccount. Other OTC products such as hearing-aid batteries, bandages, and contact-lens solution are not affected by the new law. In a reversal from prior years, vitamins


and dietary supplements will now be reimbursed under the HCSAccount. Although vitamins and dietary supplements do not require a written prescription to be reimbursed, they must be recommended by a doctor to treat a medical condition. A written letter of medical need must accompany claims for such expenses. Also, breast pumps were added to the list of eligible HCSAccount expenses.


How DCAAccounts work If you pay a caregiver to care for your


child, elderly parent, or disabled spouse in order to work, you can set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax salary through payroll deduction to help pay for these expenses. Among expenses eligible for DCAAccount


reimbursement are child care expenses (up to age 13), summer day camp, before/after school programs, adult day care, home aide, and housekeeper or cook (these last two must provide custodial care to be considered eligible expenses). If the PS&T tentative agreement is ratified,


the employer contribution will continue in 2012. The amount the state will contribute will be based on the employee’s annual salary at rates currently under discussion between PEF and the state. For updates on the state contribution rate,


check www.flexspend.ny.gov online or call 1- 800-358-7202. If the PS&T tentative agreement is not ratified, no employer contribution will be available for employees in that bargaining unit until a ratified agreement is in place.


How to file claims Claims may be mailed, faxed or submitted


online. You may choose to be reimbursed by check or direct deposit. The online claims submission process for


the HCSAccount and the DCAAccount is through www.myFBMC.com. Just upload scanned images of completed claim forms along with scans of supporting documents. The federal Defense of Marriage Act does


not permit the state to treat a same-sex spouse as an eligible spouse under Flex Spending Accounts (which are authorized under federal tax law). Therefore, a same-sex spouse’s health and dependent care expenses are not eligible for reimbursement, and a same-sex marriage is not a qualifying change- in-status event that would allow -mid-year enrollment or changes to an existing enrollment.


www.pef.org


Professional Directory Advertising in this publication does not represent an endorsement by PEF or its members.


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www.ColdwellBankerPrime.com helpmemove@cbpp.com The Communicator September 2011—Page 17


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