Flex spending accounts offer savings potential

WSU employees will see a temporary decrease in optional life insurance premium rates for 2008.
 
Meanwhile, open enrollment for health insurance plans — and for the flexible spending programs for dependent and health care — is Oct. 29-Nov. 30. This is the one time of year when employees can add coverage for family members and/or switch medical and dental plans.
 
Changes in health-care plans were outlined in the Money Watch column in the Sept. 28 issue of WSU Today. For details on all plans and coverage, see the state Public Employees Benefits Board website at www.pebb.hca.wa.gov. Employees also will receive the PEBB Perspective open enrollment notice at their home mailing addresses.
 
Life Insurance: Details of the temporary decrease in optional life insurance premium rates can be found at the PEBB website above.
 
Dependent Care Assistance Program: The DCAP allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 per household per year in pretax money from their paychecks to pay for eligible dependent-care costs. Application Software, Inc. (ASI) will manage the DCAP starting Jan. 1. ASI is also the account administer for the Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Visit ASI’s website ONLINE @ www.asiflex.com/pebb or call 800-659-3035 for a list of eligible dependent-care costs and other information.
 
Flexible Spending Account: The FSA allows employees to set aside pretax money from their paychecks for estimated out-of-packet health-care expenses for themselves and their families. The minimum amount to participate is $240 per plan year; the maximum is $2,400.
 
Expenses that qualify for reimbursement include copayments, coinsurance, deductibles, vision care, prescription and several over-the-counter drugs, and more. Contact ASI as described above for a list of eligible expenses and other information.
 
Employees enrolled in DCAP and/or FSA must re-enroll during open enrollment to continue participation in 2008.
 
Questions can be directed to Human Resource Services at 335-4521.

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