Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA)

A Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (LPFSA) is a pre-tax benefit used to pay for eligible dental, vision care, and post-deductible medical expenses for participants enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). You may use these funds to pay for eligible expenses incurred by you, your spouse, and your qualified dependents.

Account Benefits

• The LPFSA is used to pay for eligible vision and dental expenses that are not covered by your insurance.
• It can also be used to pay for eligible post-deductible medical expenses.
• Pre-tax contributions reduce your taxable income.
• The easiest way to pay for everyday out-of-pocket eligible dental, vision, and post-deductible medical expenses, with tax-free money.
• Your total annual LPFSA contribution amount is available immediately at the start of the plan year.
• You can carry over up to $640 remaining in your account from one plan year to the next, so there is minimal “use-it or lose-it” risk.
• Multiple self-service tools are available to easily manage your LPFSA and payment card transactions.

• The LPFSA is similar to the regular Health Care FSA but is designed to work in conjunction with your HDHP and Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Use the tax-savings calculator or annual expense estimate worksheet to help determine how much you should contribute per year.
• Your annual contribution is deducted pre-tax from your paycheck in equal amounts throughout the plan year and deposited into your LPFSA.
• As eligible expenses are incurred, you can either use your payment card to pay at the point of purchase or submit a request for reimbursement.

Visit the Optum Financial microsite to view resources, and access the member portal. Use the member portal or Optum Financial app to manage your account 24/7.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) and participate in a Health Savings Account (HSA).

Ineligible employees:

• Employees who are not enrolled in the HDHP.
• Employees who are classified as fellows, scholars, and research assistants in the University of Wisconsin System, as well as limited-term employees, student hourlies, per diems, and other temporary employees.
• If you are not enrolled in an HDHP, see the regular Health Care Flexible Spending Account for benefit options.

*The contribution limit applies on an employee-by-employee basis. Thus, $3,200 is the maximum contribution each employee may make per plan year, regardless of the number of other individuals (spouse, dependent, etc.) whose medical expenses are reimbursable under that particular employee’s Limited Purpose FSA (LPFSA). If two spouses are each an employee eligible for their own LPFSA, each spouse may elect to make contributions of up to $3,200 to his or her own LPFSA. This applies even if both participate in the same LPFSA, sponsored by the same employer, as long as they each have their own accounts because they are both employees.

Expenses:

• For 2024 benefit period, you must incur all eligible expenses by December 31, 2024.
• For 2025 benefit period, you must incur all eligible expenses by December 31, 2025.

Claims:

• For 2024 benefit period, you must submit all reimbursement requests by March 31, 2025.
• For 2025 benefit period, you must submit all reimbursement requests by March 31, 2026.

Review all claims and provide any required substantiation by December 31 each year. 

An eligible expense is a dental or vision service, treatment, or item the IRS states can be paid for without taxes.

After you meet your health plan’s deductible, you may be reimbursed for all eligible medical expenses such as copayments, physical exams, and vaccinations. To pay for post-deductible medical expenses using the payment card, you must meet your deductible and complete an attestation agreement. 

Eligible expenses can be incurred by you, your spouse, or qualified dependents.

See the medical expenses eligibility tool for a partial list of eligible expenses. For the complete list of eligible and ineligible expenses, visit the IRS website and see IRS Publications 502 and 969.

Tracking Eligible Expenses

You should keep all your receipts and pertinent documentation to prove your LPFSA was used for eligible dental, vision, or post-deductible medical expenses. 

If you pay for anything other than eligible expenses with your LPFSA, the amount will be taxable, and you will be required to repay the amount or pay an additional tax penalty.

To ensure accounts are being engaged with each year, ETF has set a minimum annual contribution and account balance for certain pre-tax savings accounts.

Learn how to enroll in a pre-tax saving account during open enrollment, as a new hire, or when you have experienced a qualifying life event.

You will receive a welcome brochure in the mail from Optum Financial.