MarloElaine

Are you taking advantage of your employer’s money saving benefit, the Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? If you are, then you know how much work it takes to file a simple reimbursement claim.

I have completed and submitted enough FSA claim forms to know what does and does not work. I am sharing these tips with you so that you don’t have to go through the hassle of appealing your denied FSA claims.

1. Charge it: If you have an FSA debit card, use it as much as possible! The card eliminates the need to submit paperwork. Our United HealthCare FSA MasterCard only works for set amounts, such as $10, $20, and $35 (standard copay amounts). If I am picking up more than one prescription medication, I ask the pharmacist to ring them up separately on my FSA card. Also, if both kids have doctors appointments on the same day, I do the same thing.
2. Keep them separate: Pay for all FSA eligible items separately from non-FSA purchases. This allows you to submit the entire receipt without having to subtract some items and re-calculate the sales tax.
3. Provide copies: Never submit your original receipts, only copies. Save all receipts until you have been reimbursed, just in case they deny your claim and you have to resubmit. Additionally, if you need to return or exchange anything, you will need the original receipt.

4. denied claims has decreased dramatically

   Send proof: When in doubt, send additional documentation. This is especially important if you purchase store brands (CVS Tussin Cough) versus brand name items (Robitussin syrup). Take photos or scan your over the counter items and send a copy along with the receipt. Ever since I started doing this, the number of denied claims has decreased dramatically. Prescription documentation must include patient name, out of pocket cost, date filled, and prescription name or the NDC number. This information is usually all located on the insert that accompanies the medication. Again, send copies or ask your pharmacist to print an extra one.

5. Mark it: Be sure to circle the requested information, such as date, price, etc. Highlighting will not show up once the paperwork is scanned. Label all of your pages clearly with your account number and page number (ex. page 1 of 3).
6. Mail, do not fax your claims: We tried faxing our submissions, but had a lot of problems with it. Once our fax was received and printed, it was then scanned. The end result was very difficult to read. If the claims adjusted could not read our request, they would simply deny or ignore it. We find that mailing our paperwork is much more effective. Save yourself the hassle, use a postage stamp.
7. Direct deposit: Enroll in direct deposit for reimbursement. We usually receive the funds in our bank account two or three days before receiving the statement. This also eliminates the extra trip to the bank or ATM.
8. Review your work: Double check your math, sign your claim form, and affix the proper postage.
9. File the claim ASAP: The money kept in the FSA account is already yours, but it is not earning any interest. File the claim for your money as soon as possible so you can spend or invest it however you like. There is no need to wait until the end of the year, that is when the FSA department is its busiest.
10. Lastly, keep track of all of your claims: Make copies of everything you submit, including the claim forms and all supporting evidence. There’s no way of knowing which claims you will have to resubmit. Save yourself the time and keep a copy.

By following these steps, you will be more successful in have your claims fully paid and on-time.