The Smithsonian offers two flexible spending account (FSA) options to eligible Trust Fund employees, a Health Care FSA and a Dependent Care FSA. Both options allow employees to set aside pre-tax dollars to use to pay for eligible health care and/or dependent care expenses, depending upon the type of account the employee elects. Potential tax savings will depend upon your individual tax bracket. Trust employees may enroll in either or both options. The administration of these flexible spending accounts will be managed by HealthEquity/WageWorks. Employees can check on their accounts at https://mybenefits.wageworks.com/.

To be eligible, you must be a Trust Fund employee and have an official tour of duty of at least 40 hours per pay period and be serving on an indefinite appointment or a temporary appointment of at least 90 days. Intermittent employees and part-time employees working less than 40 hours per pay period are not eligible to participate.

You must enroll within 60 days of your appointment or a change in work schedule that would make you eligible to participate. Use the online employee self-service enrollment tool to enroll in one or both of the FSA plans. You do not need to be enrolled in the Smithsonian's health, dental and/or vision plans to participate in a Flexible Spending Account.

Health Care FSA

Participation in a health care flexible spending account (HCFSA) allows you to pay for qualified unreimbursed medical, dental and vision expenses, not covered by insurance or reimbursed by another insurance plan, with pre-tax dollars. Eligible expenses include those incurred by you, your legal spouse (as defined by The Smithsonian's group medical plan) and your tax dependents. Some examples of eligible expenses include copays and deductibles not covered by your medical plan, prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses, contact lens solution, laser eye surgery, prescription medication, some over-the-counter medications with a prescription, orthodontic expenses, and more.

In 2022, you can contribute between $100 and $2,850 annually to this account on a pre-tax basis.

Dependent Care FSA

Participation in a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA) allows you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for employment-related dependent care expenses that you and/or your spouse (if married) incur due to your need to work, look for work, or attend school full-time. Some examples of eligible dependent care expenses include before and after school care for children under age 13, nursery or pre-school tuition, and summer day camps.

In 2022, you can contribute between $100 and $5,000 annually to this account on a pre-tax basis.

Employees participating in the Health Care FSA will receive the FSA Benefit Card. This is a stored-value card that simplifies the process of paying for qualified health care flexible spending account (FSA) expenses. As an alternative to the traditional method of filing claims, the FSA Benefit Card lets employees electronically access the pre-tax contributions set aside in their healthcare FSA accounts. It is easy to use and works at most healthcare related merchants where Visa is accepted. The FSA card saves time and money because the majority of the time employees will not need to send in copies of receipts to obtain reimbursement. Employees should still keep a copy of their receipts, as there may be times when HealthEquity/WageWorks will require a receipt. When employees enroll in the Health Care FSA, the FSA Benefit Card will be mailed to the home address on record. For more information on this feature, please go to the following URLs for plan details, forms and online tools:

• Health Care FSA Flyer
• Dependent Care FSA Flyer
• FSA Plan Summary Guide
• List of Eligible Expenses
• FSA Health Care FAQs
• FSA Dependent Care FAQs
• FSA Benefit Card FAQs
• WageWorks FSA Online Account Access
• Health Care Request for Reimbursement
• Dependent Care Request for Reimbursement

Employees will be able to enroll in one or both of these options online during Open Season only, which occurs annually between mid-November and mid-December. During other times of the year, you may enroll or change your current plan year election only if you incur a life event that would permit a change. You must enroll or make life event changes via the Secova online employee self-service portal.