FSA a way to get around DME?

Last year, I worked less than half a year until I retired. I had only made half of the scheduled contributions into my FSA,
but had access to ALL of it (for healthcare expenses) --until my termination date; so I spent all but a few pennies.
This is where the excess goes each year that people lose due to under-spending on their account--a retirement gift!

chunkyfrog wrote:Last year, I worked less than half a year until I retired. I had only made half of the scheduled contributions into my FSA,
but had access to ALL of it (for healthcare expenses) --until my termination date...

Exactly my scenario when I was laid off/retired in July 2011. Replaced my brick with my apap.

Red is right...I can ENROLL in October but won't be able to use the FSA until Jan 2015. I didn't just start the job, I was just never interested in an FSA before now.

I did call the doctor again yesterday and got someone on the phone who looked at their records and said "Hmm....you're right, we sent them this request a month ago!" she then said she'd call Apria and check on what's going on. If I don't hear from her by the end of the day I'll call again Monday. I guess calling persistently is just what I'm going to have to do.

Yesterday as I was walking home, I saw an Apria branded van driving away from the direction of my house. I had a glimmer of hope, but rushed home and there were no packages waiting for me.

This is all so frustrating.

Did you ever get this straightened out? Apria is the worst. They must make super deals with insurance companies. I either use Apria or pay full price for all my supplies.

FSA and other benefits always seem to cause some confusion. A new employee may enroll within those ninety regulatory days. Some companies actually do 30 or 60 days. However, please remember when you enroll that you are enrolling for the current year. Therefore, be careful what you decide to contribute as it will all be taken within the year (using the October example). The monies could not be used for the June expenses because the employee was not participating at that time. This rule had not changed as of last year. The life event is new hire.

If the employee is enrolling in October with a effective date of 1/1 of the following (not a new employee), then those June expenses in the current year are not eligible expenses. The following tax year as of 01/01 is the year in which expenses are eligible. There is extra time to make the claims from the benefit year (I believe it's until April of the following year) but there is NOT eligibility for expenses incurred after the tax year is over (12/31). The other caveat is you must enroll in the FSA and make a selection on deductions each and every year. It does not roll over.

Source: My profession, HR Director/Benefits Administrator

Please let me know if you have other questions. I'd be happy to help or research if I don't know the answer.