Human Resources & EO
Flexible Spending Account Programs
The group insurance commission is in the process of changing administrators. SHPS will no longer be the administrator as of October 23, 2009. The new administrator will be BENEFIT STRATEGIES, LLC. Please read the memo regarding the Annual Enrollment for 2010 (direct link) and enclosures as to how to process your 2009 claims and the use of SHPS debit card. This section of the website will be revised after the change of administrators has become effective.
Two Before-Tax Flexible Spending Accounts:
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) allows employees to pay for certain non-reimbursed healthcare and dependent care expenses with before-tax dollars. Participation can significantly reduce your federal and state income taxes. You may establish a Health Care Spending Account, a Dependent Care Spending Account or both depending on your personal circumstances. You can only elect to participate during open enrollment (held in October and November each year for participation in the next calendar year) or if you are a newly hired employee. The only exception would be for participants who have a 'change in family status'. Changes in status under IRS regulations include: change in legal marital status; change in number of dependents; change in employment status; change in work schedule, which changes your eligibility for the program; dependent satisfies or ceases to satisfy eligibility requirements; significant change of residence or work-site; or judgment, decree or order pertaining to child or spouse. Each plan has its own separate limit. Enrollment forms may be obtained through Human Resources or from the Internet at http://www.myshps.com/index/index.stm. New enrollment forms must be processed through Salem State's HR Department, and should not be mailed to SHPS directly. If you participated in the prior years program(s), you will be sent instructions to re-enroll on-line. If you do not want to re-enroll on-line you can give your application to Human Resources for processing to SHPS. For additional information check out the Group Insurance Commission's website www.mass.gov/gic or call SHPS Customer Service directly at 866.862.2422 or http://www.myshps.com/index/index.stm. Problems e-mail comass@shps.com (direct to Brenda's attention).
It is important to estimate your expenses carefully as the Internal Revenue Service requires that any unused funds at plan year-end be forfeited. A new IRS regulation which started in plan year 2005 provides for a 2½ month "grace period" at the end of every plan year which allows participants to spend down any unused contribution from the end of the plan year to March 15 of the next year. For example, if you have a $100 left over in your HCSA at the end of your plan year, you may still incur eligible expenses until March 15 of the next calendar year that may be applied to your remaining HCSA balance of $100. However, you will not be allowed to use your debit card for expenses incurred during the IRS 2½ month grace period. Reimbursement claim forms must be used during the grace period. The cost to administer this program is paid for by each employee on a before tax basis. There is an administrative fee of $3.75 per month for either HSCA or DCAP alone or DCAP and HCSA combined.
See individual sections related to each of these programs. If you have questions you can contact the Benefits Coordinator at 978.542.6030 or SHPS directly (see contact information below).
SHPS Contact Information:
SHPS is the contracted provided for the administration of both Flexible Spending Account Programs:
Customer Service: 866.862.2422
E-Mail Problems to: comass@shps.com (Attention Brenda)
To Setup Direct Deposit:
You have the choice of receiving your reimbursement directly to your home address or setting up direct deposit by going to [https://spendingaccount.shps.com]. Log in using your username and password. If you are a new user, please click New Users Register Here. Once logged in, click Direct Deposit on the left hand side of the screen. Fill in the appropriate information and then click submit. For open enrollment, sign up after December 19 or 20 days after enrolling during the year.
Statements On-Line:
Remember to setup your account so that you can review your claim information on-line by going to [http://spendingaccount.shps.com]. Click on New Users Register Here. If you have any problems registering, contact SHPS directly at their customer service number: 866.862.2422.