Benefits Card Option
Not all employers offer this benefit. Please check with your employer to find out if this is one of your benefits.The Benefits Card provides direct access to your Flexible Spending Account(s) allowing you to pay for eligible healthcare, dependent care or commuter expenses at qualified locations wherever MasterCard™ is accepted. This eliminates the need to pay for the expense up front and automatically deducts the transaction amount from the appropriate spending account.
- Healthcare Expenses Covered By Your Health Plan
- Mass Transit/Parking Locations
- Request For Supporting Documentation
- Appropriate Supporting Documentation
- Failure To Submit Supporting Documentation
- Reimbursement Of Ineligible Expenses
- Qualified Locations
- Merchants with Inventory Information Approval System (PDF)
- Maximum Limits
- IRS has New Rules for the Benefits Card
- Benefits Card Frequently Asked Questions
Eligible Expenses
You can use your Benefits Card to pay for eligible IRC § 213 IRS expenses, which are the same expenses you manually submit for reimbursement.
You can only use the Benefits Card to pay for eligible expenses incurred in the current plan year. You cannot use current plan year funds to pay for services incurred in the previous plan year.
Healthcare Expenses Covered By Your Health Plan
You can use your Benefits Card to pay for services that are partially covered by your insurance company as long as you only pay for your portion of the expense. Using the Benefits Card to pay for the entire expense is a violation of IRS regulations. You can only be reimbursed for expenses that are not reimbursable from another plan.
Mass Transit/Parking Locations
If using the Benefits Card to pay for parking or mass transit passes, you must purchase them from a parking vendor or a mass transit provider.
Request For Supporting Documentation
You will be notified, via a letter, if supporting documentation is required for a transaction. If requested, you need to fax or mail the supporting documentation along with a copy of the request letter. The letter will serve as your claim form.
We recommend that you keep a file of all your receipts for one year in the event that supporting documentation is requested in order to comply with IRS requirements.
Appropriate Supporting Documentation
If supporting documentation is requested, you need to send the same type of supporting documentation that you would for a manual claim. The credit receipt that you sign is not supporting documentation. Supporting documentation must always list the date of service, type of service performed, provider’s name and amount(s) of charge. Acceptable types of documentation include an Explanation of Benefits from the insurance company, an itemized statement or a receipt from the provider of service. Prescriptions must include an Rx #, which can be found on the prescription label or a pharmacy ledger. Dependent Care documentation must always include a Tax ID# or Social Security Number.
Failure To Submit Supporting Documentation
If you do not send in supporting documentation as required or requested, a reminder letter will be mailed to your home. If you do not mail or fax supporting documentation within the time frame requested, your Benefits Card will be deactivated. Claims submitted manually for the specific spending account will also be denied until supporting documentation is received.
Reimbursement Of Ineligible Expenses
If the Benefits Card was used to pay for an ineligible expense, you will be notified and required to refund your account for the amount of the ineligible expense. Your Benefits Card will automatically be deactivated and any claims submitted for the specific spending account will be denied until a refund for the ineligible expense is received.
Using Your Benefits Card
To pay the provider for an eligible expense, simply give them your Benefits Card. Once your card has been authorized through the MasterCard™ system, you will sign the receipt to authorize payment from your flexible spending account.
If you use your Benefits Card at a self-service merchant terminal, be sure to select the “credit” option. DO NOT select “debit” as there is no PIN number to enter. Your card will not work at ATM locations.
When you use your Benefits Card to pay for eligible expenses, you are certifying that the expense is not reimbursable from another source and that you will not seek reimbursement for the expense.
Qualified Locations
Examples of qualified locations for usage of the Benefits Card may include, but not limited to, hospitals, physician offices, dental offices, vision services locations (except in department stores), pharmacies, dependent care providers, and parking and mass transit providers. Your Benefits Card will not work at ATM locations.
Maximum Limits
If you use the Benefits Card to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, you are limited to your maximum annual election.
If you use the Benefits Card to pay for eligible dependent care or commuter expenses, the provider of service cannot swipe more than your current account balance or the transaction will be denied. You need to inform your provider the maximum amount they can swipe from your Benefits Card.
Help With Your Card
Lost Or Stolen Cards
If you lose your card, or your card has been stolen, notify BenefitHelp Solutions immediately at 888-784-7954. If a fraudulent purchase is made against your spending account, a claim must be made with MasterCard. MasterCard will credit your Benefits Card after they have completed their investigation process.
For Questions Or Assistance
If you have questions about your Benefits Card, or need assistance, please contact BenefitHelp Solutions Member Services
