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Health Care and Limited Use FSA

Note: PayFlex is now Inspira Financial

Health Care FSA plan benefits

Reimburses health care expenses, incurred by you and your tax dependents, not eligible to be paid by insurance. Maximum annual election of $3,050 in 2024. Available to individuals enrolled in the Premier PPO, Select PPO or HMO Illinois plans, or without health coverage through Northwestern University. For more information, view the FSA Quick Reference Guide .

Limited Use FSA plan benefits

Reimburses dental and vision services. It may also be used for healthcare and prescription expenses after the Value PPO annual deductible has been met. The deductible will be considered met on the date the claim for services is processed through insurance; not the date of service. Maximum annual election of $3,050 in 2024.  Available to individuals who enroll in the Value PPO plan.

Enrollment

Newly eligible employees may enroll online through myHR within 31 days of hire. An individual may change his FSA contributions within 31 days of a qualifying change in family status. During Open Enrollment, an individual must re-enroll through myHR to continue participation in the FSA the following year. Learn how to activate your Payflex Card

Create a Inspira Financial account

File a claim

For plan year 2023, you can be reimbursed for expenses with service dates from January 1, 2023 through March 15, 2024.  For plan year 2024, you can be reimbursed for expenses with service dates from January 1, 2024 through March 15, 2025.The date you pay for an item or service is irrelevant. You may file a claim directly to Inspira Financial (formerly PayFlex) using Express Claims.  Watch a video on how to file a claim or view the guidelines.

The IRS sets the rules for eligible expenses and required documentation; so they are outside of Northwestern’s governance.  See Inspira Financial authored flyers for assistance with orthodontia or debit card transactions.  For help with acceptable documentation, please contact Inspira Financial at (800) 284-4885 (employer ID: 100398) with questions.

Documentation Requirements
Best

Explanation of Benefits

  • It is mailed to you by insurance company; or
  • Download on insurance company website.
Accepted

Receipt that includes ALL the following:

  • Name of provider/facility
  • Your name or dependent's name
  • Date of service
  • Final amount you owe
Unaccepted

Canceled checks

  • Statements only showing previous balance
  • Receipt without requirements above
  • Bank statements

All eligible funds for plan year 2023, for claims incurred on or before 3/15/2024, must be claimed by March 31, 2024 otherwise they will be forfeited. If an individual retires or ceases participation in the plan, dates of service must be prior to the active participation end date. Under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, any monies not claimed from the FSA as of March 31, 2024 are forfeited.


COBRA

You may only submit claims for expenses incurred through the last day of the month of your last day worked. If you elect to continue the FSA under COBRA, contributions are made on an after-tax basis and must be the same monthly amount made during active employment.