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Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

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Last updated date: 3/27/2024

Using an FSA is like getting a discount on everyday health and/or dependent care expenses because you’re paying with tax-free money. There are separate FSAs for health care and dependent care. Our FSAs are administered by Maestro Health.

Use your money!

With FSA money, you “use it or lose it.” If you have a balance left in your FSA as year-end approaches, try to spend as much of it as you can on eligible expenses. Request reimbursement or manage your account through Maestro Health.

Health Care FSA

A Health Care FSA is available to employees who enroll in the DMP and are not contributing to (or earning the DISH incentive toward) an HSA, or who do not elect medical coverage. You can contribute up to $3,200 for the year through pre-tax payroll deductions to help cover eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses.

Note: You must enroll every year during Annual Enrollment. Elections don’t carry over from year to year.

Dependent Care FSA

A Dependent Care FSA is available to all employees. You can contribute up to $5,000 for the year through pre-tax payroll deductions to help cover your eligible dependent care expenses, including child care for children up to age 13 and care for dependent elders. These accounts are subject to IRS discrimination testing, so you will be notified if your elected deductions need to change.

Note: You must enroll every year during Annual Enrollment. Elections don’t carry over from year to year.

How the FSAs work

Choose

Choose your contribution amount when you enroll. You can only change it during the year if your personal situation changes, so estimate carefully.

Choose

Contribute

Your annual contribution will be divided into equal payroll deductions, but the entire amount is available to you from the beginning of the plan year.

Contribute

Spend

Spend your money by using your FSA debit card, or log in at Maestro Health to request reimbursement for payments you’ve made.

Spend

Use It Up

You must spend the entire balance in your account each year or the money will be forfeited, so be sure to use it up! It does not carry over at the end of each year — use it or lose it!

Use It Up

Transportation FSA

To ease the cost of your commute to work, the Transportation Flexible Spending Account lets you set aside pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to help pay for monthly parking or transit costs. It’s easy and flexible.

How it works

Enroll

Enroll in HR Link and manage your account through Maestro Health.

Enroll

Contribute

Decide the amount you want to contribute, and the money is deducted from your paycheck, before taxes are taken out.

Contribute

How much

You can elect to contribute up to the monthly IRS limit of $315 for transit and $315 for parking.

How much

Deadline

Once the change is made it will show as soon as administratively possible.

Deadline

Compare the Accounts

Health Care FSA Dependent Care FSA Transportation FSA
Medical plan enrollment DMP (Also available if you waive medical coverage) A Health Care FSA is available to employees who enroll in the DMP and are not contributing to (or earning the DISH incentive toward) an HSA, or who do not elect medical coverage. Not dependent on medical plan enrollment
Receive company contribution No No No
Change your contribution amount anytime No No Yes
Access your entire annual contribution amount as needed Yes No No
Access only funds that have been deposited No Yes Yes
Use account money for… All eligible health care expenses Eligible dependent care expenses, including child care for children up to age 13 and care for dependent elders Work-related commuting and parking expenses.
“Use it or lose it” at year-end Yes Yes No