SPENDING ACCOUNTS
Birch provides the opportunity to participate in several spending accounts. Since the funds are pre-tax, every dollar you contribute earns you more in tax savings!
The Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Account (DCA), and Commuter Reimbursement Accounts are also administered by Ameriflex.
Please Note: As of 4/1/2025, the HRA will no longer be administered by Ameriflex. HRA payments will process automatically through Aetna and there will no longer be a Debit Card for this account.
YOUR SPENDING ACCOUNT OPTIONS
MEDICAL FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA)
This account may be used to pay for eligible health care expenses incurred by you or your family members that are not reimbursed by any other source. Eligible health care expenses include, but are not limited to, plan deductibles, copays, coinsurance, certain vision, hearing and orthodontia care expenses. The full FSA election amount (up to $3,300) is available as of the FSA effective date. You are also able to purchase eligible items online; please visit the FSA Store: https://fsastore.com.
Please Note: Birch's FSA account has a “use it, or lose it” rule where unused funds over the $660 max carryover limit will be forfeited.
DEPENDENT CARE ACCOUNT (DCA)
If you have a child (under the age of 13) or disabled loved one, you might rely on services like day care or home aide to be able to go to work. Lessen the financial burden by enrolling in this account. Eligible expenses include day care, babysitting, before and after school programs. You are able to elect up $5,000.
Please Note: this is a “use it, or lose it” election, which means you will forfeit any unused funds remaining in your account when the next plan year begins on April 1, 2026.
How does a Spending Account save you money?
Here’s an example of how a participant can increase their take-home pay by participating in a FSA:
Annual Income
Unreimbursed Expenses
Annual FSA Contribution
Taxable Salary
Tax Deduction (est. 35%)
Net Take-Home Pay
ANNUAL SAVINGS
WITHOUT FSA
$40,000
$2,000
$-
$40,000
$14,000
$24,000
$0
WITH FSA
$40,000
$-
$2,000
$38,000
($13,300)
$24,700
$700
