Benefits » Tax Savings » Dep Care
As announced in November, 2007: United Healthcare now administers the LANL Flexible Spending Accounts (effective January 1, 2008).
Your ID Number is your Social Security Number.
Your Group Number is 711467.
A Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DepCare) is one of two employee benefit programs, called Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), that allow LANL employees to set aside money, on a pre-tax basis, for certain kinds of common expenses. The other FSA is a Health Care Reimbursement Account.
DepCare is used for eligible dependent care expenses that allow you (and, if married, your spouse) to work or look for work or that allow your spouse to attend school full-time. The care may be provided in or outside your home.
Because DepCare contributions are deducted from your paycheck on a pretax basis [i.e., before federal, state, and Social Security (FICA) taxes are taken out], you save money.
| How DepCare saves you money: an example | ||
|---|---|---|
| If you earn | and contribute this amount to DepCare | then you pay taxes only on |
| $3,000 | $200 | $2,800 |
The tax savings are reflected in your paycheck each month, all year.
You will receive a UHC consumer account card (a MasterCard debit card) in the mail.
If you either elect not to employ the UHC consumer accounts card, or you use a medical provider who does not accept the UHC card, as in the past you can still file claims manually whenever they occur or at the end of the year. Log on to myuhc.com and follow the instructions in the claim submittal area.
You also may elect to use the new direct roll-over and direct-deposit options as described on the myuhc.com website. The direct roll-over allows your UHC reimbursable out-of-pocket deductible and co-pays to be credited to your FSA as UHC processes the claim. The direct-deposit option enables you to have your co-pay and deductible reimbursements automatically deposited into your checking account.
You can participate in DepCare if you meet at least one of the following requirements:
If you are married, both you and your spouse must have earned income during the year unless your spouse is incapable of self-care or is a full-time student.
The following table shows which dependents qualify for DepCare.
| Which Dependents are eligible for DepCare? |
|---|
| A child under age 13 in your custody whom you claim as a dependent on your tax return. |
| A spouse who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care. |
| A domestic partner whom you claim as a dependent on your tax return. |
| A dependent who lives with you—such as a child age 13 or older, parent, sibling, or in-law—who is incapable of self-care, and whom you claim as a dependent on your tax return.* |
* If care is provided outside of your home for a spouse or a dependent age 13 or older, either of whom is incapable of self-care, the spouse or dependent must live in your home at least eight hours each day.
You can enroll in DepCare one year at a time; it does not continue one year to the next.
| You can enroll in DepCare only at the following times: | How do you enroll in DepCare? |
|---|---|
| When you first become eligible for DepCare.* You may enroll during your period of initial eligibility (PIE), which begins the day you become eligible and ends 31 days later. |
As a newly eligible employee, you may enroll by completing Dep/Care/HCRA/TIPS Enrollment Agreement (pdf). Send the form to the Lab’s Payroll or Benefits Office.** |
| During Open Enrollment.* | During Open Enrollment, you may enroll online through the Oracle Self-Service On-Line Application. |
| When you have an eligible change in family or employment status.* | If you are a current LANS employee and have an eligible change in status, complete the completing Dep/Care/HCRA/TIPS Enrollment Agreement (pdf) to enroll in DepCare. Complete DepCare/HCRA/TIPS Change or Cancellation Agreement Form 1924 (pdf) to change or cancel the amount of your DepCare contribution. Send the form to the Lab’s Payroll or Benefits Office. |
*Be sure to check the effective date.
If you still have claims to submit for 2007, you will still submit to SHPS:
| Processing your DepCare claim | |
|---|---|
| Get a claim form | from the SHPS website (pdf) or call 1-800-678-6684 |
| Complete the claim form and, with appropriate documentation (such as expense receipts), either fax* or mail to SHPS, Inc. | Fax: 1-866-643-2219 SHPS FSA Administration P.O. Box 34700 Louisville, KY 40232 |
| Check your balance** | on the SHPS website |
| Use it or lose it: All claims for a current calendar year’s expenses must be submitted to LANS by the following June 15. All claims must be received (not just postmarked) by SHPS, Inc., by this date or you will forfeit any unclaimed balance in your DepCare account. Reminder: faxed claims and documentation are now acceptable. | |
*When you fax your claims to SHPS, they will confirm receipt by sending you an email confirmation. To use this service, include your email address on your claim form, your Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form, or log into your mySHPS account online.
** Once you enroll, SHPS will send instructions on how to access your balance and other personal information on their website.
Claims are processed within ten business days of receipt by SHPS, and payments are released no later than the following day.
This is only an overview of the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account. The DepCare Summary Plan Description (pdf) provides useful information on such issues as
To log in:
Call SHPS toll free at 1-800-678-6684.
Questions? Contact the Lab's Benefits Office at 505-667-1806.