(Only for informational purposes. For the latest information about FSAs, visit www.optumfinancial.com/cityofchicago)

• What is a HealthCare FSA? A Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) is a tax-advantaged account that allows you to use pre­tax dollars to pay for qualified medical expenses. You enroll in an HCFSA at the beginning of each year and can access these funds throughout the year. The contribution is subject to certain legal limits. There is a minimum contribution amount of $120, and the maximum contribution amount is currently $3,050.
  • If you elect to enroll in the HCFSA you will receive a VISA debit card. Funds will be available for use as of January 1, 2024.
  • If you are on an approved leave of absence and not contributing via payroll deductions to your HCFSA, when you return to work you will have catch-up payments for the prior pay periods in which payroll deductions did not occur.
  • Enrollment in a HCFSA ends on the last day of employment. Participants can still submit reimbursement requests for claims that were incurred up through the last day of employment, if any funds remain available on the account.
  • In the case of COBRA, the employee can elect to continue the HCFSA for the remainder of the year by submitting direct payments to the Chicago Benefits Office.

• What is a Dependent Care FAS? A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) is a tax-advantage account that allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified childcare and/or adult dependent care expenses. You enroll at the beginning of each year and can access these funds throughout the year. The contribution is subject to certain legal limits. Currently, the minimum contribution is $120. The maximum contribution is $5,000 ($2,500 if married filing a separate income tax return).
  • Unlike the HCFSA, the DCFSA does not pre-load funds (front load) onto a Visa debit card. You must submit claims directly to Optum to be reimbursed. You will only be reimbursed the amount that you contribute.
  • For more information, review the employee guide HCFSA and the DCFSA Summaries.

• Is a newly hired City of Chicago employee eligible to enroll in the FSA health plan even if he or she chooses not to enroll in a medical plan offered to City employees?
  Yes, if hired prior to December 1st All full-time employees are eligible to enroll in the HCFSA within the first 30 days of employment. To enroll contact the Benefits Service Center at cityofchicagobenefits.org or at 1-877-299-5111.

Important Note: If enrollment does not occur within 30 days following the new employee’s hire date, the next opportunity to enroll will not be until the annual medical and dental open enrollment period or within 30 days following the employee’s eligible election change event, such as marriage, divorce, birth, or adoption of a child, gain or loss of coverage through your spouse or civil union partner.

• How can I find out more information about the activity in my new HCFSA or DCFSA?  For up-to-the-minute information regarding your account(s), 24 hours per day, seven days a week, you can visit  myoptumfinancial.com/cityofchicago. You can also call 24 hours per day, seven days a week 1-833-229-4428. To speak with a representative regarding the processing or reimbursement of claims call during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT.