June 12, 2020
Good afternoon,
Thank you for your continued patience as UNC Asheville learns more about the changing rules and guidance regarding our benefits. In response to the impact of COVID-19, the following changes have been adopted by NCFlex:
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA):
- The deadline to file claims for 2019 Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA) and 2019 Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Accounts (DDCFSA) has been extended to September 30, 2020.
- Employees may choose to start, increase, decrease, or cancel their Health Care (HCFSA) and/or Dependent Day Care (DDCFSA) elections for 2020 without a Qualifying Life Event.
- If a Flexible Spending Account contribution is increased or added, funds will be allowed to be used for expenses incurred since January 1, 2020.
- NCFlex will also allow until September 30, 2020 for participants with 2019 Dependent Day Care FSA funds to incur claims.
- The Health Care FSA roll over amount will be increased to $550 going into the 2021 plan year.
Dental and Vision changes:
- Employees may choose to change dental and/or vision coverage tiers (such as Employee Only to Employee plus Family or vice versa) without a qualifying life event.
- HR must request this change on behalf of the employee.
Please note that changes cannot be retroactive (i.e., you can only change future premiums and/or contributions), and only one change (for each plan) for the 2020 plan year is allowed due to COVID-19. The deadline to ask for changes to NCFlex plans due to COVID-19 is September 30, 2020.
Upcoming Information Sessions
NCFlex will be hosting a webinar on Health Care and Dependent Day Care Flexible Spending Accounts on June 17 at 12:00 p.m. You may register for the webinar at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ncflex-member-webinar-flexible-spending-accounts-tickets-108906925546
If you are unable to join (or if the registration is full) you may request a recorded copy of the webinar to be sent to you. The link to request the recording is available at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/1acbbfdefd1b4630884e02752c66378b.
Additional information can be found on the Office of Human Resources website at https://hr.unca.edu/covid-19-updates-and-resources. If you have questions, or would like to request a change to your benefits, please email benefits@unca.edu.