1407 - FlexElect
Category
Benefits and Insurance
Audience List
- Personnel Officers
- Personnel Transactions Staff
- Personnel Transactions Supervisors
Synopsis
This policy:
- Provides information on the state-administered FlexElect and FlexElect Cash Option programs.
- Clarifies eligibility and enrollment procedures for FlexElect and Cash Option programs.
- Provides general information on the annual Open Enrollment period.
Introduction
The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) administers the state’s FlexElect Program. There are two types of benefits presented under the FlexElect Program: Reimbursement Accounts and Cash Option program.
Statement
FlexElect Reimbursement Accounts
Eligibility
An employee is eligible if they have a permanent position that is half-time or greater, or a Limited-Term (LT) or Temporary Authorization (TAU) appointment with a mandatory right of return to a permanent position that is half-time or greater. Permanent-Intermittent (PI) employees are not eligible.
Reimbursement Accounts
FlexElect Reimbursement Accounts allow state employees to establish FlexElect deductions to set aside money from their pay warrant to pay for certain out-of-pocket expenses. The FlexElect deductions are pre-tax, allowing participating employees to reduce their taxable income. There are two types of accounts: a “Medical Account” and a “Dependent Care Account.”
- Medical Reimbursement Account (MRA)-Covers eligible health-related expenses for employees and their dependents.
- Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA)-Covers eligible dependent care expenses.
Tax Advantages
FlexElect funds and reimbursement payments are not taxable. This allows employees to reduce their monthly taxable income when they enroll in a FlexElect account. For dependent care expenses, there may be tax advantages by claiming these expenses as a credit on tax returns. Employees should consult with a tax professional on expenses that may be claimed as a credit on their tax returns.
Open Enrollment
Employees enrolled in the MRA and/or the DCRA must reenroll in the reimbursement accounts during the annual Open Enrollment period which is traditionally held during the fall.
FlexElect Cash Option
Eligibility
Rank-and-file employees in Bargaining Units 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, and 21 who are eligible for health benefits are eligible to enroll in the FlexElect Cash Option program.
Special eligibility rules apply to PI, LT, and TAU appointments:
- PI employees have limited eligibility (refer to Benefits Administration Manual (BAM) section 700 on CalHR’s website).
- LT or TAU appointments of more than six months must have a mandatory right of return to a permanent position (excluding PI employees).
Cash Option
Employees who attest that they have qualifying group health and/or dental coverage through a spouse, domestic partner, parent, or another source have the option to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health and/or dental benefits. Qualifying group health coverage includes health coverage that provides minimum value as established by the federal Patient Protection Affordable Care Act (ACA) and is maintained by an employer or employee organization. All state California Public Employees’ Retirement (CalPERS) health plans currently meet the law’s minimum value standard.
Employees enrolled in individual coverage such as, but not limited to, TRICARE, Medicare, Medi-Cal, and Covered California, are not eligible to receive cash in lieu of state-sponsored health benefits even if the coverage provides minimum value.
The Cash Option benefit is determined through collective bargaining. For current Cash Option payment amounts, refer to the appropriate Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or the BAM section 700 on CalHR’s website.
Open Enrollment
The annual Open Enrollment period is traditionally held during the fall and allows employees to enroll in the Cash Option program, change, or cancel their enrollment.
Application
Not Applicable.Authorities
Resources
Related Policies
Web Pages
- BAM section 700 : FlexElect Program (enrollment forms, processing instructions)
- Open Enrollment Toolkit: Information and resources to assist HR Professionals in completing open enrollment forms.
Authorized By
Benefits Division
Benefits Division Inquiries
Benefits Division
Contact Person
FlexElect Program
CalHR
Phone: 916-909-2863
Email: FlexElect@calhr.ca.gov
Superseded Policies
Not Applicable.History
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