OUSD Flexible Spending Plans

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are tools that allow you to set aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare, dependent care, and commuter transit and parking expenses, effectively increasing your take-home pay by reducing your taxable income.

What are FSAs?

An FSA functions much like a personal checking account dedicated to specific, IRS-approved expenses. OUSD offers several types of accounts to help manage your costs:

• Health Care FSA: For medical, dental, and vision expenses (e.g., copays, prescriptions, glasses).

   

• Dependent Care FSA: For childcare or elder care expenses.

   

• Commuter Benefits: Specific accounts for parking and transit expenses related to your commute to work.

   

Enrollment Rules

• Annual Requirement: FSAs are not automatic. You must re-enroll every year during the Open Enrollment window to continue participating.

   

• Entry Points: You can enroll as a new hire, during the annual Open Enrollment period, or within 30 days of a Qualifying Life Event.

   

• Effective Dates: For Open Enrollment, your elections become effective on July 1st.

Managing Your Account

Once enrolled, you must register your account with OUSD's administrator, The P&A Group, to track your funds and submit claims.

• Online Portal: Create and manage your account at www.padmin.com.

  • How to Log into your FSA Account

• P&A Benefits Card: Use your provided debit card to pay for eligible expenses directly at the point of service.

• Mobile App: Download the P&A Group MyBenefits app to check balances and upload claim documentation instantly from your phone.

Important "Use It or Lose It" Rule

Unlike your health insurance, FSA funds generally do not roll over indefinitely.

1. Estimation: Carefully estimate your yearly expenses; any funds not used by the end of the plan year (or grace period) are forfeited.

2. For questions about plan year, please contact the Benefits Team

Contact & Forms

For specific lists of eligible expenses or to access claim forms, please use the following resources:

• FSA Technical Support: Visit the P&A Website or Call P&A Group at (716) 852-2611.

   

• Policy Questions: Contact the OUSD Benefits Team.

Disclaimer

This guide is a summary of FSA rules. Contribution limits (such as the $3,400 healthcare cap for 2026) are set by the IRS and are subject to change. Please refer to the official OUSD FSA Summary Plan Description for definitive rules on rollovers and grace periods.

HIPPA Notice of Privacy Practices