TexFlex Spending Accounts
A TexFlex flexible spending account (FSA) allows you to set aside money from your paycheck each month before income and FICA taxes. The TexFlex account must be used for health expenses, including (but not limited to) co-payments for doctor and dentist visits, prescription drugs, vision care and day care for a child or adult family member.
PayFlex Systems USA Inc. is the claims administrator for TexFlex. For more information, visit the ERS TexFlex page. For a list of eligible expense items, visit the PayFlex Web site.
The minimum monthly contribution is $15 and the maximum is $416. The FSA is a use-it-or-lose-it plan, meaning you have 14.5 months total to spend all the money from each enrollment year.
FSA-Health Account
Following this plan, the entire amount you pledge for the plan year is available up front, so it is like an interest- and tax-free loan that can be used for approved health care costs.
FSA-Day Care Account
This plan is used for day care for children younger than 13 or for adult family members. Following this plan, you must pay out-of-pocket for day care expenses and then file for reimbursement.
PayFlex Debit Card
This debit card allows you to access your FSA without having to pay for health care costs with cash or a credit card and then file for reimbursement. Keep all debit card receipts in case you are asked for them.
The debit card has an annual $15 fee that will be deducted from your TexFlex account. The fee also covers additional cards for family members.
To Enroll
- Decide how much you want to pledge to a TexFlex account. You can use these TexFlex Calculators to help you. Log in to ERS OnLine.
- Next to Flex Spending Health and/or Flex Spending Dependent Care, click Edit.
- Type in how often you are paid.
- Enter how much you want to set aside in each account for the plan year. If you want a PayFlex Debit Card, add $15. Include the administrative fee, which is $24 for each account.
- Click Store and then Submit to save your changes. You can only change your TexFlex election during summer enrollment or if you have a qualifying life event (QLE) during the plan year.
- Submit a copy of the enrollment form to the Office of Human Resources so the staff will know how much to deduct from your paycheck each month.
