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MIT Employee Benefits

New in 2013

Due to federal health care reform, the maximum pre-taxed dollar amount employees can contribute to a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) was reduced from $8,000 to $2,500 on January 1, 2013. As with all other institutions that offer an FSA benefit, MIT must comply with this law. After 2013, the $2,500 Health Care FSA limit will be adjusted each year for inflation.

For more information on the federal health care laws visit http://www.healthcare.gov/.

My Crosby Benefits

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Eligibility

You are eligible for an MIT Health Care FSA if you are paid by MIT, are appointed to work at MIT for at least three months, and work at least 50% of the normal full-time work schedule. Learn more about eligibility.

Next steps

1. Review MIT Health Care FSA details. 
2. Enroll or re-enroll in your MIT Health Care FSA (required annually).

Video

  Click to play the 2013 FSA video.

  Download: Quicktime   Windows Media Player

Details

How the MIT Health Care FSA works

Although your MIT health and dental plans will cover much of your medical costs every year, you will probably have to pay some portion of your medical expenses out of pocket. The MIT Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a voluntary account offered by MIT and administered by Crosby Benefit Systems Inc. The MIT Health Care FSA makes it possible for you to set aside money from your pay to cover some of the medical expenses not covered by your health plan. The money you contribute—up to the annual limits set by federal law (minimum $104, maximum $2,500 annually in 2013)—is not taxed as income, and there is no tax or penalty when you use the money for eligible medical or dental expenses.

When you, your spouse, or dependent children pay for an eligible expense, you are reimbursed through your account. You cannot be reimbursed for the expenses of domestic partners.

You can submit claims for reimbursement up until April 30, 2013 for eligible services received through March 15, 2013.

Who is eligible

• you have been appointed—and are currently employed—to work at MIT for at least three months
• you work at least 50% of the normal full-time work schedule
• you are paid by MIT

Who is NOT eligible

• contractor
• affiliate
• teaching or research assistant
• honorary lecturer
• summer appointment
• international visiting student
• member of the armed services assigned to MIT
• family member who is not employed by MIT
• work-study student
• paid by MITemps

Members of collective bargaining units

All the plan provisions are subject to the terms of your collective bargaining agreement.

Your pay and the MIT Health Care FSA

When you make contributions to your MIT Health Care FSA, you receive certain tax benefits on the money you contribute to your account. By setting aside money for these expenses before taxes, you will generally pay less in federal, state and Social Security taxes.

Participation in an MIT Health Care FSA will not affect your salary for the purposes of

• annual salary reviews
• 401(k) participation
• life insurance coverage
• disability benefits

Use it or lose it

Be as accurate as you can in estimating your annual eligible expenses, so that you do not contribute more to your MIT Health Care FSA than you expect to claim for reimbursement. You automatically lose any unused money left in your account after April 30 each year. Use the Crosby FSA Calculator tool located on Crosby's website to help you determine how much money you would like to set aside in either account. You may not use this money for any other purpose or transfer the money to any other account.

Eligible expenses include

• copayments, deductibles, and other expenses not paid by your medical or dental coverage
• prescription drugs covered under any medical plan
• legally procured over-the-counter drugs required primarily for medical care
• hearing aids and batteries
• vision care expenses such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, and contact lens cleaning solution not paid for under any vision plan
• laser vision or eye-correction surgery
• weight-loss programs require a medical practitioner to verify medical necessity
• orthodontia treatments after the banding service has been performed

Review reimbursement procedures.

Expenses that are not eligible

• medical and dental premiums
• premiums you pay for other insurance (including COBRA)
• cosmetic surgery
• equipment that is not medically necessary
• over-the-counter drugs not required primarily for medical care 
• health club dues or the cost of a personal trainer
• teeth whitening or bleaching
• tattoo removal

Contact Crosby Benefit Systems Inc. if you have questions about what is covered under your MIT Health Care FSA.

IRS Announcement Regarding Breast Pumps & Lactation Supplies

Due to a 2011 change by the Internal Revenue Service, breast pumps and lactation supplies do not require an individual to have a medical condition or to provide a letter of medical necessity. This means that anyone submitting receipts to MIT's FSA administrator, Crosby Benefits, for breast pumps or lactation supplies will have their claim approved without needing to show that it is medically necessary and without having to provide a letter of medical necessity. Please note this IRS change is not a qualifying event and you cannot enroll in or increase your health care FSA because of this change.

How to enroll in an MIT Health Care FSA

Sign up when you begin work at MIT. Use Employee Self Service to sign up for a Health Care FSA within 31 days of your date of hire or appointment—or within 31 days of the date you receive your official Welcome Letter, whichever is later.

Sign up during Open Enrollment. If you do not enroll within this 31-day period, you must wait until the next annual Open Enrollment period, which takes place in the fall. Your account will then take effect on the following January 1.

Enroll as a result of a life event. If you experience a change in your life that has an impact on your benefits, you can enroll outside the Open Enrollment period.

Learn more about enrolling or re-enrolling in an MIT Health Care FSA.

Medical Practitioner's Notes vs. Prescriptions

What's the difference between a Medical Practitioner's note and a Prescription for OTC medicines and drugs, and when is each required?

Medical Practitioner (Doctor's) Notes:

• For some expenses (for example, dietary supplements), a medical practitioner note is required to verify that the expense qualifies as medical care.
• To be allowable, a medical practitioner note may be written by a doctor of medicine, dentistry, podiatry or optometry; an authorized chiropractor, an alternative healer; or other qualified medical practitioner.
• A medical practitioner note must contain all of the following items:
  1. date
  2. patient's name
  3. medical practitioner's name
  4. statement of medical necessity
  5. the prescribed treatment
  6. the duration of treatment required
• Crosby will keep a copy of valid Medical Practitioner notes on file so it is not necessary to include previously submitted notes with each submission.

Prescription for OTC medicines and Drugs:

OTC medicines and drugs require a physician's prescription to be eligible.

• A valid prescription is an electronic or written order for a medicine or drug that meets the legal requirements of a prescription in the state in which the medical expense is incurred, and that is issued by an individual authorized to issue a prescription in that state.
• Due to its interpretation of IRS rules, Crosby will NOT keep a copy of prescriptions on file. For OTC medicines and drugs, you must submit your prescription with each submission.
• You may submit the same prescription as many times as the prescription allows (for example, three times if three refills are prescribed).

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

MIT also offers a Dependent Care FSA, which covers expenses paid to care providers while you are at work.