- Monroe One
- Employee Benefits
- Flex Spending 125/HRA 105/HSA
Employee Handbook
Page Navigation
- Table of Contents
- What is Monroe One BOCES?
- Policies and Procedures
- Payroll/Personnel
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Employee Benefits
- Dental Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Flex Spending 125/HRA 105/HSA
- Longevity Payments
- Medical/Health Insurance
- Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance (BOCES-Paid)
- Optional Insurance Products
- NYS 529 College Savings Program
- NYS Retirement Systems (ERS and TRS)
- Tax Sheltered Annuities
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Attendance
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Employee and Employer Responsibility for Safety
- General Safety and Security Reminders
- Emergency Planning
- Health & Safety: Written Plans and Information (Opens in New Window)
- Pesticide Notice and Form
- Radon Testing of School Buildings
- Water Quality Testing Results (Opens in New Window)
- Emergency Closing Information
- Fire Drills and Inspections
- Annual Right to Know Trainings and GCN Website
- Campus Technology
- Additional Information
FSA/HRA/HSA Information
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FSA = Flexible Spending Account (Section 125)
HRA = Health Reimbursement Account (Section 105)
HSA = Health Savings Account (for High Deductible Plans - PSP/BUP/BUSS Members Only - Per Contract)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FSA FAQs
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When do I have to use the FSA money, and what happens if I don’t use the whole amount?
The FSA amounts are based on the calendar year, which runs from January through December. If you have up to $640 in unused funds in your 2024 medical FSA account, that money will rollover into the new year.
You must sign up within 30 days of employment or during the open enrollment period each year for a January 1st start date.
You decide the amount to be deducted from your pay up to the maximum. As mentioned above, you are allowed to rollover unused funds in your FSA up to $640 in the 2024 Plan Year. The rollover limit from 2025 to 2026 will be $660.
If you sign up mid-year as a new employee, keep in mind that you may need to pro-rate amounts.
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What is a Flexible Spending Account (Section 125)?
There are two types of Flexible Spending Accounts, also known as Section 125 accounts, and it is optional to set either one up:
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- A Medical FSA is a special account that you sign up for to put money in through payroll deductions to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care and dental expenses for you, your spouse and eligible dependents.
- A Dependent FSA is an account, funded with payroll deductions also, set up to pay for eligible dependent care services such as child and adult care services, summer day camp, before and after school programs, etc.
- A Medical FSA is a special account that you sign up for to put money in through payroll deductions to pay for certain out-of-pocket health care and dental expenses for you, your spouse and eligible dependents.
You do not have to pay taxes on the money in either account (no Federal income tax, social security taxes (FICA) and State taxes are taken) and you can sign up for both accounts if you want.
The IRS regulates these accounts and there is a maximum amount that is allowed for each. This amount varies each calendar year and for 2025, the maximum for a Medical FSA is $3,300 and a Dependent FSA is $5,000.
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Does the same FSA amount come out each year?
You need to submit a FSA Enrollment Form every Open Enrollment (November 1-30) to take effect the following January through December 31st.
HRA FAQs
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What is an HRA (Section 105)?
A Health Reimbursement Account, also known as a Section 105 account, is money given by BOCES to all employees who enroll in either the RASHP 2 Value or RASHP 2 Select health insurance plans.
This money can be used to help pay for co-pays and other qualifying medical expenses.
The account is funded each January, and it accumulates year to year, if not used. The amount you receive will be prorated based on when you start working and further, if you are part-time. Also, HRA amounts vary depending on your union contract.
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Why are there different HRA amounts for the RASHP Select or Value plans?
The amounts could vary depending on the plan that you are enrolled in or they could be the same for each plan.
Check your union contract or the Benefits Summaries for the HRA amounts for each plan for your union.
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What happens if I don’t use all of the HRA money given to me by BOCES?
Any unused money will roll from year to year.
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When is the HRA (Section 105) money available?
The HRA amounts are based on the calendar year, which runs from January through December. Each January you are given the full HRA amount depending on the Health plan you are enrolled in and your contract. The money is deposited in an account and can be used with a Beniversal card.
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What is a Beniversal card?
This is a pre-funded card that works like a debit card and is automatically mailed to you from a company called Benefit Resource, Inc.
The money on the card comes from your HRA, if you have one, and also from a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), if you signed up for one.
When you use your Beniversal card, you should keep all your receipts in case of questions.
For more information and to check your balance, go to www.benefitresource.com
HSA FAQs
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Important HSA Note!
PSP/BUP/BUSS Members Only (see note) - Per Contract
Health Savings Account for High Deductible PlansNote: BUSS members must be Full time FTE 1.0 to qualify
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What is a Health Savings Account (HSA)?
If you are enrolled in the Signature HDHP plan you will receive a contribution into a Health Savings Account from BOCES One. This is money you will own that can be used towards qualifying medical expenses associated with having a high deductible plan. You can also elect to contribute to your HSA as a tax-free deduction from your paycheck.
The HSA limits for 2025 are $4,300 for Self-Only and $8,550 for Individual plus family. Individuals age 55 or older can continue to make an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution.
If you are currently enrolled in our Signature HDHP plan, you will receive the HSA funds automatically for the upcoming year. You also still have the option to put away additional funds through a Limited-use Flexible Savings Account (FSA) to be spent on Dental and Vision expenses only. -
Who is eligible for an HSA?
To contribute to an HSA, you must meet the following criteria:
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- You must be enrolled in the BOCES’ Signature High Deductible Health Plan.
- If you or your spouse has a Medical FSA or HRA, you may not be eligible for an HSA unless the FSA or HRA is limited to dental and vision expenses.
- You cannot be enrolled in Medicare.
- You cannot be claimed as a dependent on another person’s taxes.
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Who contributes to the HSA?
BOCES will fund the HSA starting January 1, 2021 as shown below for 2021:
First Year Enrollee:
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- Enrolled in Two-person, Family or Family/No Spouse $3,000
- Enrolled in Single $1,000
Subsequent Years:
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- Enrolled in Two-person, Family or Family/No Spouse $1,500
- Enrolled in Single $900
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FSA, HRA, HSA Files
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BRiWeb, BriMobile and BRiAlerts
Resources to efficiently manage your accounts with Benefit Resource, Inc.