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A Flexible Savings Account (FSA) lets you redirect a portion of your salary on a pretax basis into a reimbursement account, saving you money on taxes. FSA open enrollment takes place in November--not during annual benefits enrollment – and takes effect the following January. There is a monthly fee of $5.30 when you enroll in the Flexible Spending Accounts which is deducted from the first paycheck of each month.
The City of Portland offers two types of FSAs that can help you save for out-of-pocket expenses; a Health Care FSA (HCFSA) and a Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA).
Benefits Counselors are available to answer questions, help you enroll in benefits, submit a life event, or help you file a claim. Click here for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA)
The HCFSA can be used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses for you, your spouse, and dependents, even if you and your family aren’t covered by our health plan. Expenses that are cosmetic in nature are not eligible. Common eligible expenses include:
- Prescription drugs
- Copays and coinsurance
- Deductibles
- Office visits
- Dental work
- Orthodontia
- Glasses
- Contacts
- Chiropractic
- Massage
Click here for a full list of eligible healthcare expenses.
Enrolling in the HCFSA
When you enroll in the HCFSA, be sure to only elect an amount that you know you will use during the calendar year (January through December).
- The maximum contribution in 2025 for the HCFSA is $3,300 per household.
- This is a pre-funded benefit which means you have access to your full annual election amount in January of each year.
- Your annual election amount will be evenly deducted pre-tax from your paycheck throughout the plan year.
- You cannot change your annual election amount until the next open enrollment period unless you have a qualified change in status, for example, birth, death, marriage or divorce.
Carryover Benefit
This is a use-it-or-lose-it account, meaning any funds remaining in the account following the close of the plan year will be forfeited unless you enroll in the HCFSA for the next plan year. If you enroll in the HCFSA for the new plan year you have the flexibility to rollover up to $660 of your unused funds. Carryover amounts will be credited after your claim filing period.
If you are contributing to an HSA through your spouse’s plan, you are not eligible to participate in the HCFSA.
Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)
Childcare can be one of the single largest expenses for a family with children. A Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA) allows you to set aside money pre-tax to pay for your qualified daycare expenses, saving you up to $1,700 per year! This is also a great benefit for employees and their spouses that work or attend school full-time. You must contribute money through payroll deduction to your DCFSA before you can spend it.
The DCFSA limit is set by the IRS and is a calendar year limit of $5,000 per household, $2,500 if married and filing separately. Expenses can be for your dependent children 13 and under, and in some cases for eldercare. Use of DCFSA funds must be enabling you to work, actively look for work, or be a full-time student.
Eligible expenses
- Adult day care
- Child day care
- After-school care
- Babysitting (work-related, in your home or someone else’s home)
- Babysitting by your relative who is not a tax dependent (work-related)
- Nanny or au pair
- Custodial elder care
- Transportation to and from eligible care (provided by your care provider)
Ineligible expenses
- School tuition and overnight camps
- Babysitting (not work-related, for other purpose)
- Babysitting by your tax dependent (work-related or for other purpose)
- Custodial elder care (not work-related, for other purpose)
- Dance lessons, piano lessons or sports lesson
- Educational, learning or study skills services for child(ren)
- Household services (housekeeper, maid, cook, etc.)
Accessing Your Benefits
Accessing your benefits couldn’t be easier, just swipe your Navia Benefit Card to pay for eligible health care and daycare expenses. Funds come directly out of your FSA and are paid to the provider. You may be required to verify an expense, so hang on to your receipts! You will receive an email or notification via the app if you need to submit a receipt.
You can also submit health care and daycare claims online, through your smartphone app for Android and iPhone, email, fax or mail. Be sure to include documentation that clearly shows the date, type and cost of the service.
- Online Account Access: Order additional debit cards, update bank and address information and see up to date details of your benefits.
- Online Claims Submission: Upload your documentation, complete the online wizard, and voila! a reimbursement will be on its way within a few days!
- Mobile App: MyNavia allows you to simply snap a photo and submit for reimbursement directly from your mobile device.
FSA Plan Resources
Click here for access to more information and resources that may be available in additional languages.