FSA rant

[Mojjo]

DH and I elected to have a FSA this year because SS needs braces, we all need glasses, and DH has a lot of meds. Yippee for us. We have the Benny card and have used it successfully at doctors offices and CVS. But today we went to pick out our glasses at BJ's....pretty cheap places and we could have them in 3 days. But apparently they aren't on some list somewhere so the Benny card got denied....ughhh!!! This is what I get for trying to be responsible and plan for expenses.

This means when we get paid this week I have to front the money and be reinbursed. The great part is that we can afford to do this (and a year ago it would have been impossible). But I'm ticked that I have to go through all this. I think any store that has "optical" in it's name should be on the darn list.

Anywho...I'm over it now....thanks.

[couponchic]

Not sure what a "Benny card" is, but sounds like the debit card that you can opt to have with a flex account. I didn't realize that the card wouldn't be good everyone. I thought as long as it was a medical related expense and the store/provider accepted credit cards or debit cards, that it should work.
Have you received your reimbursement back for this yet?

[Kimberlina]

I don't know what happened to the reply I made to this a week or two ago. I must not have hit submit.

We're dealing with the same thing. My doc doesn't take cards, DD;s doc doesn't take cards, and I found out after the fact that her pre-school that I was told would be covered by our Dependent care FSA won't actually be covered because I work 2nd shift. So now I need to try to get human resources to stop taking the money out of my check for the dependent care.

But overall, even though it is a hassle for me to have to submit the receipts for reimbursement, I think it is a good program. We have two health FSA- one for now, and one for retirement that can be tapped into now if needed with no penalties. My employer puts in a total of $500 each year- $100 in the this year account, and $400 into the retirement account. So in the end, we will make out okay with it.

[brainyblonde]

I've used a FSA for years, and don't even bother with the debit card anymore. My main purpose for the FSA was for eye exams and glasses for all of us, as we have no coverage under the insurance plan. The optometrist's office was able to swipe the card, and two weeks later, I received a letter stating I still had to submit supporting paperwork for my claims. Now, I file for reimbursement right away via fax, the money shows up in my next paycheck, and the paperwork is filed away.


The debit card works ok for doctor co-pays and prescriptions because these claims can meet the IRS substantiation requirements easily. Dental and vision claims almost always require submission of supporting paperwork to verify that the services are eligible (as defined by the IRS) for reimbursement under the plan. (For example, if you wear glasses, anti-reflective coating on lenses is not covered.)

Kimberly, FSA dependent care elections are generally irrevocable for the plan year and you can't make any changes unless you have a qualified life status change as defined by the IRS. If your employer says they can't do it, that's why. HTH.

[Telephus44]

Sorry to hear about your FSA problems. I have a debit card with mine and I love it, although I've only used it for co-pays for doctors visits and prescriptions. I put in mainly because my employer matches dollar for dollar up to $500 (I can elect to put in $500 and they will also put in $500 - free money!). I do know that there was a big hassle last year about the debit cards not being accepted at Walmart.

I keep all the supporting documentation just in case they need it - but so far it hasn't happened.

What I am not thrilled about is that we have until March 15th to use up 2005 FSA funds, but the debit card only takes out 2006 dollars - so everything from now until March 15th will have to be submitted on paper if I want it to come out of 2005.