EMS TRANSMISSION 11/10/2005

Information Bulletin No. 2006-022

 

To:             All BLM Employees

 

From:          Chief Human Capital Management Project Director

 

Subject:       Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) Open Season, November 14, 2005 -December 12, 2005 

 

The Federal Flexible Spending Account Program (FSAFEDS) Open Season begins on November 14, 2005 through
December 12, 2005. These are the same dates as the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program Open Season. This will be the only time Federal employees who work for the Executive Branch or adopting agencies may enroll in the FSAFEDS Program for 2006, outside of a qualified status change. 

 

Unlike FEHB enrollments, enrollments in FSAFEDS do not carry over from year to year. Employees wishing to enroll in FSAFEDS for 2006 must make a positive enrollment during Open Season, even if they are currently enrolled in the Program. 

Employees now have the option of enrolling in FSAFEDS from any touch-tone telephone at 1-877-FSAFEDS (372-3337), (TTY Line: 1-800-952-0450), Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., Eastern Time or through their website, www.fsafeds.com. Enrollments that are made during open season will become effective January 1, 2006. 

FSAFEDS offers two types of flexible spending accounts: a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) and a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA). Employees may enroll in DCFSA or HCFSA. 

 

A HCFSA pays for qualified medical expenses for the employee (and all eligible family members) that are not covered or reimbursed by an FEHB plan or any other type of insurance. Insurance premiums, including premiums for long-term care insurance, are not qualified medical expenses. Employees may elect a minimum annual amount for an HCFSA of $250 up to a maximum annual amount of $ 4,000.

 

A DCFSA pays for childcare or adult dependent care expenses that are necessary to allow the enrolled employee and his/her spouse (if married) to work, look for work, or attend school full-time. The DCFSA minimum annual amount is $250 and the maximum annual amount is $5,000.

 

If you have any questions, please contact your Servicing Personnel Office.