Military Flexible Spending Accounts

Enroll online at FSAFEDS.gov during the annual federal benefits open season from mid-November through mid-December. You can enroll outside of open season if you have a qualifying life event, such as a PCS or the birth/adoption of a child.

You can use money from your HCFSA to pay for eligible expenses that TRICARE doesn’t cover. This includes copays for your family members and eligible drugstore purchases like over-the-counter medicines.

HCFSAs cover a wide range of health care-related expenses, including over-the-counter items and medications; wellness services such as chiropractic care, acupuncture and massage; copayments; dental care; orthodontia; and eyeglasses, contact lenses and vision services.

You can allocate up to the amount set by the IRS per year (households where both earners are eligible for an HCFSA through their employer can maintain two separate accounts, with each contributing up to the maximum amount per year). You can roll over a set amount of unused funds to the next year if you reenroll.

The full amount you elect to contribute to your HCFSA is available to you as soon as the plan year begins, Jan. 1. Your payroll deductions will continue until you reach your full election amount. If you enroll through a qualifying life event, your full election will be available in the first pay period following your enrollment.

You will be reimbursed for eligible expenses by submitting a claim through the FSAFEDS website, the FSAFEDS mobile app or by mail or fax. You can choose to be reimbursed through check or direct deposit. You should receive your reimbursement within one week of filing a claim.

You can carry over up to the maximum amount set by the IRS from one plan year to the next, but only if you have reenrolled in the benefit for the next year. Each year, you have until April 30 of the following plan year to submit claims for eligible expenses incurred between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of the plan year.

Enroll online at FSAFEDS.gov during the annual federal benefits open season from mid-November through mid-December. You can also enroll if you have a qualifying life event, such as a PCS or the birth/adoption of a child.

You can allocate up to the amount set by the IRS per year.

You can use your DCFSA to pay for preschool, summer day camp, before- or after-school programs and child or adult day care. See a comprehensive list of what your DCFSA funds will – and will not – cover.

To enroll in a DCFSA, uniformed service members must have a qualifying dependent under the age of 13 or a dependent who is mentally or physically incapable of self-care, regardless of age.

No. By law, your DCFSA funds are available through payroll deductions. For example, your deduction in January will be available in February. You can incur expenses and submit receipts for reimbursement after funds are available.

You can choose to be reimbursed to your bank account or have the dependent care provider pay directly. If you choose to be reimbursed, you will submit a claim through the FSAFEDS website, the FSAFEDS mobile app or by mail or fax. You can choose to be reimbursed through check or direct deposit. You should receive your reimbursements within one week of filing a claim.

DCFSA funds cannot be carried over from one year to the next by law. However, you will have until March 15 after the end of the plan year to incur eligible expenses, and until April 30 to file claims for reimbursement.