Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)

Q & A's

  1. What is a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)?
  2. How does the HRA work in 2009?
  3. I have a Full Time Active Status appointment (75% to 100%) and I am enrolled in the medical plan, am I eligible for the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)?
  4. I am eligible for the HRA and I am enrolled in the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2009; how do they work together?
  5. What expenses are eligible?
  6. How long do I have to use the HRA if I terminate/retire?
  7. What expenses are eligible?
  8. Where can I use my card?
  9. How do I know if I am eligible for the HRA?
  10. Does this money really come from my employer?
  11. USNH is putting $500 into my HRA, should I adjust my FSA accordingly?
  12. Do the FSA & HRA get lumped together into one account?
  13. I currently have a 2008 FSA, but am choosing not to elect a 2009 FSA.  Will this affect the HRA?
  14. How do I ensure I spend down the FSA before the HRA, since the former can't be rolled over into the next calendar year?
  15. Can I contribute to the HRA instead of the FSA?

 

  1. What is a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)?
    An HRA is an employer-funded account that reimburses eligible employees for qualified medical expenses.

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  2. How does the HRA work in 2009?
    The HRA is employer funded.  For 2009 there will be a one-time employer paid contribution of $500. The HRA can be used to pay for eligible health care expenses not covered by the health plan, and you decide how and when to spend the money. In addition, any remaining funds in an HRA roll over to the next year. An HRA can work as a standalone account, or it can work in conjunction with the Healthcare FSA. Visit the WageWorks website https://www.wageworks.com/employee/health-care/expenses/fsa.htm This link brings you to the FSA informational page, which offers identical information for HRAs.

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  3. I have a Full Time Active Status appointment (75% to 100%) and I am enrolled in the medical plan, am I eligible for the Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)?
    Yes, all active full time status employees who are enrolled in USNH medical coverage and not covered by a collective bargaining agreement are eligible to participate and will be automatically enrolled in this benefit program. For 2009, this benefit is only available to eligible employees who newly elect medical coverage as of January 1, 2009, or continues medical coverage in a qualifying USNH medical insurance plan.

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  4. I am eligible for the HRA and I am enrolled in the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for 2009; how do they work together?
    The HRA can work in conjunction with the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account, although you can't be reimbursed twice for the same expense. If enrolled in the Healthcare FSA and HRA, both accounts will be available via the same card.  The FSA funds are exhausted first, then the HRA funds will be used to reimburse you for qualified expenses. Note:  Remember that FSA funds don’t roll over and HRA funds do, which is why you will deplete your FSA balance first.

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  5. What expenses are eligible?
    This website includes a list of eligible expenses: https://www.wageworks.com/employee/eligible-expenses/

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  6. How long do I have to use the HRA if I terminate/retire?
    Remaining account balances may be used within a period of 18 months from your termination or retirement date.

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  7. What expenses are eligible?
    This website includes a list of eligible expenses: https://www.wageworks.com/employee/eligible-expenses/

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  8. Where can I use my card?
    This link provides a merchant list that is updated when new merchants join the group: http://www.sig-is.org/en/index.asp

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  9. How do I know if I am eligible for the HRA?
    If you are a full time status employee who is enrolled in USNH medical coverage and not covered by a collective bargaining agreement you will automatically receive an HRA account.

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  10. Does this money really come from my employer?
    Yes, USNH is funding your HRA in the amount of $500.

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  11. USNH is putting $500 into my HRA, should I adjust my FSA accordingly?
    Yes, if you choose to elect an FSA, please remember that the FSA funds will be drawn upon first. Once the FSA is depleted, the HRA funds will then be available to you.  Any "leftover" HRA funds at the end of the calendar year will roll over into the next calendar year.  If you chose not to elect an FSA, the HRA funds will be available to you as of January 1, 2009.

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  12. Do the FSA & HRA get lumped together into one account?
    No, the accounts are maintained separately, and you will receive different balance statements for the FSA and HRA. However, you will use the same debit card for both accounts. Whenever you use the debit card or submit a claim, the FSA funds will be applied first, and then your HRA balance will become available.

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  13. I currently have a 2008 FSA, but am choosing not to elect a 2009 FSA.  Will this affect the HRA?
    No, you may have an HRA without an FSA. If you do have a 2008 FSA, please retain your FSA debit card, as this will now become your 2009 HRA debit card. If you do not currently have an FSA, WageWorks will automatically issue you a card for use with your HRA.

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  14. How do I ensure I spend down the FSA before the HRA, since the former can't be rolled over into the next calendar year?
    This will happen automatically.  Any claims you send in via paper, or whenever you use the debit card provided to you, FSA funds will apply first towards your charges.

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  15. Can I contribute to the HRA instead of the FSA?
    No, you may only add to the FSA.

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