Benton County Employee Benefits – Flexible Spending Account

Manley Services is Benton County's provider for the County's flexible spending program.

Flexible Spending Account

What is a flexible spending account (FSA)?
A FSA is an employee benefit that allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars from you salary to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses and dependent care expenses, such as babysitting or elder care.

What are pre-tax dollars?
Pre-tax dollars are dollars set aside from your gross earnings before any taxes are computed. This includes federal, state (if applicable), and Social Security taxes.

What are the rules for an FSA?
The IRS regulates tax-favored plans geared to health/medical services, there are several rules that apply:

• Limit one election per plan year. Once you've decided on your FSA allocation, you can't change the amount until the next plan year.
• "Use it or lose it". The funds in the FSA must be spent before the end of the play year. Any remaining money is forfeited. FSA balances do not carry over from one year to the next.
• Date incurred. Expenses must be incurred during your plan year to be eligible for reimbursement.
• No "double dipping". Expenses paid through the FSA can't also be taken as an income tax deduction.

More information...

Am I eligible to participate in the FSA?
If you are a County employee in a benefited position working more than 20 hours per week and have completed six month of service, you are eligible to participate in the FSA.

How do I enroll in FSA?
Employees can enroll in to the flexible spending program during the benefit open enrollment period. To enroll, employees need to fill-out a Manley Services FSA enrollment form (PDF). To help employees decide whether or not to participate in FSA, we've posted an FSA analysis worksheet (PDF), FSA Users Guide (PDF), and a list of health related expenses (PDF). Employees enrolled in the flexible spending program can pay for qualified healthcare expenses via the Benny Card. Please note that effective January 1, 2011, individuals will need a written prescription from their physician to purchase over the counter medications through their flexible spending account. Individuals can use the Letter of Medical Necessity of Prescription to satisfy this requirement.

What is the Benny Card (PDF)?
For $1.50/month, employees can choose to enroll in the Benny Card. See our Benny Card FAQ's (PDF). Please note: Sign-up for the Benny Card should take place when an employee re-enrolls in the Manley Flexible Spending Account during the benefit open enrollment period or when the employee first becomes eligible to participate in the flexible spending account after their first six months of service.

Do you need to submit a request for reimbursement?
To submit a request for reimbursement from Manley, fill-out and mail a Request for Reimbursement form FS or HRA form (PDF) for Manley Services at PO Box 2797, Portland, OR, 97208-2797.