Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts | University of West Florida
Skip to main content
University of West Florida lettermark University of West Florida logo University of West Florida logo

Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts

Eligible UWF employees may enroll in two different varieties of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs):  Healthcare FSAs and Dependent Care FSAs.  These accounts allow you to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical and/or dependent/elder care expenses with tax-free dollars.

Employees who participate elect an annual amount to contribute into an FSA that they plan to use within that calendar year.  The amount selected is deducted from their salaries on a pre-tax basis throughout the year.  Funds are only carried over to the following year in very limited amounts and subject to the plan rules. For more details, please review the Savings and Spending Accounts Guide on the  MyBenefits website.

Healthcare FSAs are used to pay for care received (copays and other out of pocket expenses), medications, and certain medical supplies as defined by the Internal Revenue Service.  On the other hand, allowable expenses for Dependent Care FSAs include costs for home-based care or attendance at a caregiving facility for family members such as children, elderly parents, or spouses with a disability who are in need of supervision/assistance.

To spend the funds in the FSA, most employees use the Chard Snyder card (which works similarly to a debit card for qualifying purchases), though there are other options.  Receipts must be retained, and in some cases, submitted to Chard Snyder for approval. 

For employees considering participation in an FSA, it is important to review the videos, Frequently Asked Questions, and other resources on the MyBenefits website for detailed information and guidelines.

Healthcare Flexible Spending Account:
Minimum: $60 per year     Maximum: $3,300 per year

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account:
Minimum: $60 per year     Maximum: $5,000 per year per household

Note: If you are married, your spouse must be gainfully employed, actively seeking employment, a full-time student or disabled in order to participate in the Dependent Care Reimbursement Account.

How to Use Your Account

You may use your Chard Snyder Benefit Card, or pay for eligible healthcare expenses and then submit a claim for reimbursement via the mobile app, online, or using a paper claim form. 

Deadline for Claims: Up to April 15 of the following year.

Eligibility

Participation in healthcare and/or dependent care FSAs is available to all benefit-eligible employees (including eligible OPS employees).  One exception is that for those employees enrolled in a State High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), the Dependent Care FSA is available, but there is only a Limited Purpose FSA option instead of the Healthcare FSA being offered. Employee contributions are made on a pre-tax basis. Employees have 60 days from their date of hire to enroll and plan changes are only allowed during the annual open enrollment or as a result of an approved qualifying status change.

How to Enroll

  • Complete flexible spending enrollment with People First.
  • Submit a confirmation statement to the Human Resources Benefits Section to ensure proper setup of payroll deductions. You may send these by email to hr@uwf.edu or by Campus Mail to HR in Building 20E, Room 117.

Health Savings Accounts

Only employees enrolled in one of the High Deductible Health Plans (HDHPs) may elect to open a Health Savings Account (HSA).  These accounts also allow employees to set aside tax-free money for healthcare expenses, but with more benefits than in the case of a Flexible Spending Account (FSAs). The MyBenefits website has a Frequently Asked Questions document and other publications and videos with more information about the Health Savings Account and how it works with the HDHP PPO and HMO options.