OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER

OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
HEALTH HUMAN RESOURCES

March 15, 2021

ALL ACADEMICS AND STAFF AT UC SAN DIEGO (including UC San Diego Health)

Temporary Pandemic Relief for Flexible Spending Accounts

For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused disruptions to our plans and routines, including child care and health care. To support employees who need to make changes to their annual Flexible Spending Account elections or who are at risk of losing their FSA contributions, UC has approved some important temporary changes, in line with the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2021.

If you participate in a Health or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), please review the following information as you may need to take action.

Mid-Year FSA Changes Without Life Event

Individuals may make up to two prospective election changes per FSA plan during the 2021 plan year without a qualifying life event. Prospective changes include canceling participation, changing elections, or making new elections for the 2021 plan year.
Beginning March 15, 2021, FSA changes can be made by taking the following steps:
- Log in to UCPath online
- From the home page, select Ask UCPath Center
- On the menu bar, select My Inquiries or Submit an Inquiry
- From the inquiry page, enter the following information:
  - Topic: Benefits
  - Category: Benefits Election Inquiry
  - Subject: Request COVID-19 FSA Event
  - Description: Change election for Health FSA and/or DepCare FSA (as applicable)

Important Note: If you cancel your FSA plan(s), claims filed for services after the cancellation will be denied. Consider reducing your annual enrollment to the amount currently contributed instead, to avoid losing access to your funds.

Carry-over of Full Health FSA Remaining Balance: Provided there is a minimum $25 balance, the full remaining balance of unused Health FSA funds will be carried over from the 2020 plan year to the 2021 plan year (not limited to $550 as announced last year).

Extension of Dependent Care FSA Grace Period: The grace period for the 2020 Dependent Care FSA plan year has been extended until December 31, 2021, with a submission deadline of January 31, 2022.

Increase in Maximum Age of Eligible Dependents: The maximum age for eligible dependents under the Dependent Care FSA has been temporarily increased to age 14. In order to qualify for this relief, an employee must have been enrolled in Dependent Care FSA in 2020 and have a dependent child who turns 13 during 2020 or 2021.

Because of the administrative load involved in these changes, the current and former FSA administrators, Wex (formerly Discovery Benefits) and WageWorks, will need to impose a temporary “blackout period” in which they cannot process claims or issue reimbursements to participants for expenses incurred in 2020. This blackout period will begin April 16, 2021, and extend no later than the end of May 2021.

Learn More and Get Support:

Learn more about extended COVID-19 relief for UC's Flexible Spending Accounts on UCnet »
Review frequently asked questions about changes to UC benefits programs for pandemic relief »
Having trouble logging in to UCPath or need technical support? Submit a ticket through UCPath Support »

Nancy E. Resnick
Chief Human Resources Officer

Janet L. Kamerman
Chief Human Resources Officer
Health Human Resources