Benefits MasterCard Option
Not all employers offer this benefit. Please check with your employer to find out if you are eligible for the Benefits MasterCard.
Save money. Save time. A guide to your Benefits MasterCard
- Debit card or credit card? (Or maybe a little of both…)
- Who accepts my Benefits Card?
- Changes in Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts and to your Benefits Card starting January 2011?
- What if there is not enough money in my account?
- What if my purchase was for an ineligible expense?
- Avoiding claim denials
- Saving receipts
How to use your Benefits Card
Debit card or credit card? (Or maybe a little of both…)
Your Benefits Card is a debit card, because it’s a card used to access the money you set aside for your pre-tax purchases. But it’s important to note that the store registers will read it as a credit card. Just remember these differences and you’ll have no troubles:
- You can only use it at specific stores and on eligible expenses (this is based on the benefit account(s) you signed up for). But don’t worry, the card is smart enough to deny a purchase of milk (an ineligible expense), but approve the purchase of aspirin (an eligible expense) at the same store.
- There is no PIN (personal identification number) for this card, and it’s important to remember to choose “Credit” when given the option at the check-out terminal.
- You can’t use the Benefits Card at an ATM machine, or to get cash back when making a purchase at a store.
Who accepts my Benefits Card?
Grocery stores, pharmacies and wholesale clubs with vision and pharmacy services. Most of these stores have elected to participate in the IRS Benefits Card program (for a comprehensive nationwide listing go to www.sig-is.org and click on IIAS Merchant List). When you’re ready to check out, their system can tell which items are eligible expenses and which are not.
When it’s time to pay, swipe your Benefits Card and select “Credit,” if asked and it automatically approves your eligible items and debits the money from your Benefits Card. If you are also buying non-eligible items, the terminal or clerk will ask you for another form of payment. Then just pay with another card, cash, or check as you’d normally do. That’s it, no claim forms to submit. Your IRS eligible purchases are approved and have been deducted from your account. You may notice a letter character, such as an “F”, on the receipt which shows it as an eligible IRS expense.
Hospitals, medical, dental and vision care providers
Most services provided in these locations are eligible IRS expenses; however some are not, such as cosmetic procedures. Unlike grocery or pharmacy stores, providers do not typically use bar codes, so their systems can’t tell which services are eligible.
When paying for your healthcare services, you can hand your Benefits Card to the front desk and the system will automatically approve services that match your copay, or multiples of your copay (not coinsurance) from your benefit plan. You will not have to submit supporting documentation for these services.
If the provider’s charge is for something other than a copay, it’s just a three-step process:
- Wait until you receive the bill showing your insurance carrier has processed payment. Once you’ve received that bill, use your Benefits Card to pay it, just like you would use a credit card.
- Once the provider has processed your Benefits Card payment, you’ll get a letter from BenefitHelp Solutions asking for supporting documentation.
- Send the letter back to BenefitHelp Solutions with a copy of the provider bill or your insurance company’s Explanation of Benefits (EOB) to ensure your provider is paid from your benefit account.
That’s it, three simple steps, and no additional money out of your pocket!
Tips for maximizing your benefits
What if there’s not enough money in my account?
If you are buying an eligible expense that costs more than what you have available in your account, the store might allow a partial payment for the amount that is left in your account, and then ask for the balance with another form of payment (you may have done this before with a gift card.) For those merchants or providers that won’t allow a partial payment, your purchase will come up “denied.” Then, you just pay for the service and submit a claim form for reimbursement, and you’ll be reimbursed the amount left in your benefits account.
What if my purchase was for an ineligible expense?
If you use your Benefits Card at a provider’s office for an ineligible expense, such as teeth whitening or paying for a service from a prior plan year, you can either refund the money into your benefits account or replace the ineligible expense with an eligible expense by submitting a paper claim. You’ll receive a letter asking for supporting documentation for an ineligible purchase, and it will give you the details and timeframe by which you need to respond. If you don’t respond within that timeframe, your card will be temporarily deactivated until we do receive the information.
Avoiding claim denials
When submitting supporting documentation for Benefits Card transactions or paper submissions, it is important to remember a few things:
- The IRS requires documentation that includes:
- the type of service
- who provided the service
- the date of service
- the amount not paid by insurance.
As a result, balance forward statements from a provider, cancelled checks or c credit card receipts do not meet the IRS criteria.
- For services or products that have both a medical and personal use (vitamins, supplements, gym memberships, massage therapy), the IRS requires documentation from a licensed provider stating that these services and/or products are medically necessary. The statement must indicate the medical condition, the specific treatment needed, how the treatment will alleviate the condition and the length of the treatment.
- The best form of documentation is your insurance company’s Explanation of Benefits (EOB). If you no longer have the EOB for the service, you can often print a copy from your insurance company’s website.
Saving receipts
Although the Benefits Card makes the process much simpler, it is still smart to hang on to all your receipts in case the IRS asks for supporting documentation down the road.
Help With Your Card
Lost Or Stolen Cards
If you lose your card, or your card has been stolen, notify BenefitHelp Solutions immediately at 888-398-8057. 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 Customer Services.
