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FAQs
    
Q:When must I enroll in the Flexible Spending Account plan?
A:There is only one open enrollment period each year. That period is announced each year by Board of Trustees. No enrollments will be accepted during the year, except for those of new employees who can enroll during their Waiting Period.
Q:What is the advantage of participating in the FSAs?
A:
  • Immediate tax advantages
  • Tax savings on dependent care expenses that may not
    have been previously available
    • Q:What is a disadvantage to an FSA?
    A:The only disadvantage is the "use-it or lose-it" provision of flexible spending accounts.
    Q:What is the "use-it or lose-it" provision?
    A:It is a provision required by law. This is a requirement that any money left in the account at the end of the Plan Year must be forfeited. You have 60 days after the end of the Plan Year to file for reimbursement of expenses incurred during the Plan Year.

    By planning carefully you can avoid "losing" contributions. However, even if a small amount is forfeited, the amount is often outweighed by the tax savings. For example, if you contribute $1000 to your FSA and in the process save $300 in taxes, your "net" contribution is $700. If you withdraw only $900 of the $1000 contribution, you are still ahead $200.

    Q:What happens to the contributions if I do not use them?
    A:Any balances remain with the JFT Health and Welfare Fund and are used to defray expenses of operating the FSA Plan. Remaining contributions cannot be rolled over to the following year.
    Q:Can I receive reimbursement for health care expenses for all of my dependents?
    A:Yes. If the health care expense is for a person whom you claim on your taxes.
    Q:What happens if I open an account and later leave my job with the school system?
    A:Contributions will cease the day following your last work day. You will then have an option to continue participation in your health care account, but not the dependent care account. However, if you continue health care coverage, your contributions are made on an after-tax basis thus giving you no tax advantage in continuing coverage.

    You can continue to file claims for reimbursement of eligible health care expenses incurred prior to leaving your job.

    If you have a dependent care account, you can continue to receive reimbursement for eligible dependent care expenses incurred during the Plan Year from the balance remaining, if any, in your dependent care account. However, you will not be able to contribute any further amounts to this account and may not elect to continue self-pay coverage for this account.

    For both accounts you have until 60 days after the end of the Plan Year to file for reimbursement of eligible expenses.

    There are additional provisions in case of death and also transfer to a job classification not eligible for Health and Welfare Fund coverage.

    Refer to the Summary Plan Description effective January 1, 2005 for more detail.

    Q:Must I have the Fund's dependent dental and vision coverage or School Board hospitalization to open an FSA?
    A:No.
    Q:Do I have to pay taxes on the reimbursements from my flexible spending accounts?
    A:No.
    Q:I have the Managed Care Dental Plan. Where do I go to obtain information concerning my dental coverage?
    A:Either call CIGNA at 1-800-367-1037 or go to the CIGNA website click here to access mycigna.com for information concerning your assigned provider, to change your provider, obtain the patient charge schedule that includes covered procedures and patient charges or any questions you may have concerning your coverage through the managed care dental plan.
    Q:What is the turn-around time for dental claims?
    A:Ordinarily allow at least two weeks from the time of receipt. This could be delayed if the Fund requires additional information to process the claim (such as, x-rays, student verification). During the summer the claim numbers greatly increase so the turn around time may not be as fast.
    Q:What if I pay my dentist in full, will you reimburse me?
    A:Yes provided you have not signed the claim form authorizing payment to the dentist. You may want to indicate on the claim form to please pay the insured.
    Q:Are there limitations on the number of times I may go to the dentist?
    A:Not really. Each covered individual has a $1500.00 annual maximum for dental benefits and $1,000.00 lifetme orthodontic benefit. Please refer to your Summary Plan Description effective January 1, 2005 for limitations on the number of visits and time guidelines for certain procedures or call the Fund Office.
    Q:Does the Fund require a pre-treatment estimate for extensive dental work?
    A:No. However, it may be to your benefit to submit a pre-treatment estimate if you are planning to have major work such as, periodontal surgery, a bridge or implants. These types of procedures must be reviewed by the Fund's dental consultants and this will assure you if the procedure will be covered, not covered or payable at an alternate benefit.
    Q:Are sealants covered?
    A:Sealants are limited to one (1) time per tooth in any three (3) consecutive year period and only to participants under age sixteen (16). They are limited to unrestored premolars and to unrestored molar teeth.
    Q:Is TMJ covered?
    A:No. TMJ (TemporoMandibular Joint) is considered a medical condition. You may want to check with your health carrier to see if they cover anything associated with TMJ.
    Q:I had a tooth filled. How often will the Fund pay for restorations ("fillings") on the same tooth?
    A:Twelve months must have passed since the exisitng filling/surface was placed.
    Q:I had a tooth extracted prior to being covered by the Plan. I now want to get a bridge. Will it be covered?
    A:No. You must have the tooth extracted while you are covered by the Plan and it must be replaced within twelve months of the date of the extraction.
    Q:I have a crown that must be replaced and it is not five years old. Will it be covered?
    A:No. At leave five (5) years must have elapsed since the last placement.
    Q:Are veneers covered?
    A:Labial veneer restorations on anterior teeth are covered only when the tooth cannot be restored by a composite resin or silicate filling and then only if more than five (5) years has elapsed since the last placement. Your dentist should submit x-rays with any claims for veneers because they must be reviewed by the Fund's dental consultants.
    Q:Are athletic guards covered?
    A:No athletic guards are not covered.
    Q:Does the Plan cover occlusal guards?
    A:The dentist must submit the necessity for the occlusal guard and it may have to go to the Fund's dental consultants for review. If allowed, the appliance is limited to one in any twenty-four (24) consecutive month period.
    Q:How may I drop my dependent coverage?
    A:There are few things that must be determined to respond to this. First, do you have your benefit pre-taxed, or as some say in the system "flexed"? If so, unless you have a qualifying event, such as a divorce or reduction in salary, you will not be able to drop the coverage until you complete a revocation form when the Flex Representative comes to your school location in September or October. The coverage would drop effective January 1st. If you do have a qualifying event that would allow you to drop your coverage prior to the 1st of the year, you must call the Payroll Department within 30 days of the qualifying event at 349-7621 and request a revocation form. If you do not have your benefit pre-taxed, you may write the Fund Office at any time and request that your dependent coverage be dropped. This would go into effect the first of the month following receipt of your letter.

    These same rules apply for changing dependent coverage from family coverage to spouse only or children only or from spouse or children only to family coverage.

    Q:What is the advantage of having a routine eye exam once every twelve months besides checking for visual acuity?
    A:Routine eye exams provide an opportunity for spotting symptoms of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, lupus, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and Grave's disease.
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