Health Reimbursement Account
A Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) is an employer-funded plan that reimburses you for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses. When eligible, excess Flex Credits will be automatically directed to the HRA. In order to be eligible for an HRA, you must be covered under an employer-sponsored group medical plan (excludes Tricare, Medi-Cal, Medicare, State Exchange, and any individual plan). The program includes a "Use It or Lose It" provision, where all claims must be incurred while the account is active, up to December 31st of the plan year.
The Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) may be used for reimbursement for qualified health care expenses for you and your eligible dependents. Some expenses include:
- coinsurance
- deductibles
- office visits
- prescription drug co-pays
- orthodontia
- chiropractic care
- laser eye surgery
- eyeglasses/contact lenses
- over-the-counter medication
- Click here to review a full list of IRS eligible expenses.
An HRA can reimburse expenses for your spouse and/or dependent child(ren) only if those family members are also enrolled in a group medical plan, such as an employer-sponsored medical plan (excludes Tricare, Medi-Cal, Medicare, State Exchange, and any individual plan). Covered dependents must be certified in the ASIFlex portal annually. Instructions can be found here.
If you want to opt out of the HRA, you may do so by calling Employee Benefits at 888-550-2203. If you opt out, your excess Flex Credits will be forfeited.
When Can I Make Claims?
Claims may only be made for expenses incurred while the account is active.
- If your account is closed during the year due to a job change or Qualifying Life Event, the account cannot be used to reimburse expenses incurred after the account was closed.
- You must have an active account on December 31st in order to be eligible for rollover the next year.
All claims must be submitted to ASIFlex by March 31st for the previous plan year.
Will My Unused Funds Rollover?
There is a “Use It or Lose It” provision which means services for claims must be incurred while the account is active, up to December 31st of the plan year.
- You are not eligible for rollover if you elect a Health Savings Account for the next plan year.
- You may
rollover up to $640 into the next plan year as long as your
account remains open through December 31st of the current plan
year.
- If you also have remaining balance in a Health Care Flexible Spending Account, there is a combined limit of $640 eligible for rollover.
How Much Can I Contribute?
An HRA can only be funded with excess flex credits, you cannot contribute out of pocket funds to this account. To establish an account, you must have excess flex credits that meet the following criteria:
Annually: $120 to $5,000
Per Pay Period: Minimum of $5
Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA): If you have an out-of-pocket funded HCFSA in addition to an excess flex credit funded HRA, you are limited to a $5,000 combined maximum.
Participation in a HRA during a Leave of Absence
You will continue to have access to your HRA while on a Leave of Absence. Your contributions will automatically continue during a Leave of Absence period, as long as you continue to receive a paycheck. Any missed contributions during an unpaid Leave of Absence will be collected upon your return from leave. Refer to the Leave of Absence page for additional information.
Health Reimbursement Account Description
The County’s HRA Plan Document provides a detailed description of the HRA Plan and is intended to provide you with a general understanding of the plan.
ASIFlex offers customer support as well as easy-to-use online tools to help you make the most of your HRA. Participants can use the ASIFlex website to access interactive claims, online calculators and view account balances and reimbursement histories.