FAQs
Most Popular Questions
How does the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CAA) and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) affect my HCFSA, LEX HCFSA and DCFSA?
OPM has implemented many of the flexibilities allowed by the legislation for flexible spending accounts, including:
- Enrollments and increases/decreases to your current elections through a 2021 Special Enrollment Period (SEP) which will be held from June 1, 2021 to June 30, 2021. The SEP will also allow those who did not re-enroll for 2021 during Open Season the opportunity to enroll for 2021 and gain access to available 2020 carryover funds. Please refer to the CAA Quick Reference Guide (PDF) for more details, including examples explaining the effective date of SEP changes.
- Unlimited carryover for re-enrolled HCFSA and LEX HCFSA participants for the 2020 and 2021 plan years.
- Extended grace period for all DCFSA participants for the 2020 and 2021 plan years. The 2020 grace period is extended through December 31, 2021, and the 2021 grace period is extended through December 31, 2022.
- Age change for DCFSA participants with a qualifying dependent child who turned age 13 during the 2020 plan year. These participants may use any unused funds from that plan year for eligible expenses for that child until they turn age 14. To qualify for this relief, previous enrollment in a 2020 FSAFEDS DCFSA is required.
- Increased 2021 DCFSA election maximum to $10,500 (or $5,250 for married taxpayers filing separately).
- Use of masks and hand sanitizing wipes (with 60%+ alcohol base) have been approved as eligible over-the-counter (OTC) HCFSA expenses!
For more information or see examples how this might impact you, please refer to the CAA Quick Reference Guide (PDF).