FSA / HRA FAQs
Beniversal Card
What is a Beniversal Card?
When can I start using my Beniversal Card?
What dollar amount is available on my Beniversal Card after I activate it?
Where can I use the Beniversal Card?
What is an IIAS merchant?
What is a 90% merchant?
What can I purchase with my Beniversal Card?
Can I use my card to purchase over-the-counter items?
What if I order my prescription through an online or mail order program?
If asked, should I select "Debit" or "Credit"?
What should I do with my receipts?
How do I submit receipts to Benefit Resource?
What happens if I cannot provide follow-up documentation showing that a card expense was for an eligible medical service?
Can I use the Beniversal Card to pay for a service before it is provided?
Can I use the Beniversal Card to pay a bill that has a "Balance Due" for an eligible service?
Can I use my card to pay for services that were provided prior to participating in the plan?
What if a provider requires me to pay in full at the point of sale, even if part of the expense will be paid from another source?
What are some reasons my Beniversal Card might not work at the point of sale?
What should I do if I cannot use my Beniversal Card at the point of sale?
How do I know how much is in my account?
What if an expense is more than the amount remaining in my account?
Do I need a new Beniversal Card each plan year?
What happens if I terminate employment or cease participation in the plan?
Where do I go for answers to my questions?
What if I lose my Card or need another one?
What is a Beniversal Card?
The Beniversal® MasterCard® Prepaid Card works much like a credit card, but uses funds from your Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to pay for eligible medical expenses at the point of sale.
When can I start using my Beniversal Card?
• Before using your card, you must:
- Activate and sign the card (follow the instructions received with your card).
- Wait to use the card on or after your effective date in the plan.
What dollar amount is available on my Beniversal Card after I activate it?
| • | The amount available for a Medical FSA = the total amount you elected for the plan year minus any prior payments and reimbursements. Only funds from your current plan year may be accessed on the card. |
| • | The amount available for an HRA = the total contributions posted to your account minus any prior payments and reimbursements. |
Where can I use my Beniversal Card?
Your card will only work at Qualified Merchants who accept Debit MasterCard cards. Qualified Merchants include medical providers such as:
| • | Chiropractors | • | Medical labs | • | Vision centers |
| • | Doctors | • | Medical supply stores | • | IIAS merchants |
| • | Dentists | • | Orthodontists | • | 90% merchants |
| • | Hospitals | • | Podiatrists |
| • | An IIAS merchant has an Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) that automatically separates your purchase into eligible medical amounts and non-medical amounts. | |
| • | Here's how it works: | |
| – | Have the sales clerk total your entire purchase. | |
| – | Use your Beniversal Card first, and it will automatically pay for the eligible medical items. | |
| – | Use another form of payment for the remaining amount. | |
| • | Click here for a list of IIAS merchants. | |
| • | You usually will not need to submit a receipt to verify the eligibility of a purchase made at an IIAS merchant, but save your receipt just in case. | |
| • | A 90% merchant has registered with a national organization, certifying that 90% or more of its revenue is from the sale of eligible healthcare items. | |
| • | If a merchant has more than one location, then each location must meet the 90% requirement. | |
| • | Click here for a list of 90% merchants. | |
| • | You usually will need to submit documentation to verify the eligibility of a purchase at a 90% merchant, so save your receipt! | |
What can I purchase with my Beniversal Card?
| • | Use your card to pay for medical expenses that are eligible under your plan. Check the plan information from your employer for additional details. |
| • | Do not use your card for ineligible expenses, such as teeth whitening, health club memberships or cosmetic procedures. |
| • | Expenses may be for you, your spouse or your dependent(s), unless otherwise restricted under your employer's plan. |
Can I use my card to purchase over-the-counter (OTC) items?
If you have a general-purpose Medical FSA, certain over-the-counter items can be purchased with your Beniversal Card. For an HRA or a limited-purpose FSA, check your Plan Highlights to see if OTC expenses are eligible.
What if I order my prescription through an online or mail order program?
Use your Beniversal Card just like any other credit card - simply submit your Beniversal Card information to pay for a mail-order or online prescription.
If asked, should I select "Debit" or "Credit"?
Always choose "Credit". Your Card has no PIN associated with it, so you must choose "Credit" when asked to select the kind of card you are using.
What should I do with my receipts?
Save them! Your plan is regulated by the IRS, so you may need to submit follow-up documenation (this often happens for dental and vision expenses). Benefit Resource will contact you when this is necessary.
How do I submit receipts to Benefit Resource?
If Benefit Resource contacts you to submit follow-up documentation, simply do the following:
| • | Complete the follow-up request form. |
| • | Attach the itemized receipts, bills, statements or insurance company Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Your documentation must include the provider name, type of service provided, date service was provided and your cost for the service. (For prescription drugs, documentation must include the drug name.) |
| • | Fax or mail the request form along with your corresponding documentation to Benefit Resource within the indicated timeframe. |
| • | Documentation must be received by Benefit Resource within the timeframe indicated in the request, or your account and Beniversal Card may be suspended. |
What happens if I cannot provide follow-up documentation showing a card expense was for an eligible medical service?
IRS regulations allow you to either repay the plan for the expense or provide a substitute claim to offset it. If you take no action: (i) your account and card may be suspensed; (ii) your eligibility to participate in the plan may be suspended; and/or (iii) the amount of the expense may be deducted from your wages on an after-tax basis.
Can I use the Beniversal Card to pay for a service before it is provided?
No. IRS regulations require that a service be provided before using FSA or HRA funds. (The IRS allows one exception to this rule for orthodontia expenses. Use of FSA/HRA funds for orthodontia may be based either on date of payment, date of service or payment due date.)
Can I use the Beniversal Card to pay a bill that has a "Balance Due" for an eligible service?
Yes, as long as the payment is completed in the same plan year that the service was provided. However, if follow-up documentation is requsted for the expense, itemized detail will need to be provided as explained above.
Can I use my card to pay for services that were provided prior to participating in the plan?
No. IRS regulations do not allow this. The date of service determines whether the expense is eligible, not the date of payment. A service is only eligible if it is provided in your current plan year and after you begin participating in the plan.
What if a provider requires me to pay in full at the point of sale, even if part of the expense will be paid from another source?
Do not use your Beniversal Card if any part of the expense will be reimbursed from another source (such as your health insurance carrier). Pay the required amount with some other means and then submit a claim to Benefit Resource for the eligible amount not reimbursed elsewhere.
What are some reasons my Beniversal Card might not work at the point of sale?
| • | Your card has not been activated. |
| • | You have insufficient funds remaining in your account to cover the entire expense. |
| • | You attempted to purchase items that are not eligible under the plan. |
| • | You attempted to use your card at a non-qualified merchant. |
| • | The merchant is not currently part of the Beniversal network. |
| • | The merchant is encountering problems (such as coding or swipe box issues). |
| • | The home address you gave the merchant did not match the address on file with your Beniversal Card. |
What should I do if I cannot use my Beniversal Card at the point of sale?
Use another form of payment for the eligible item(s) and then submit a completed claim with supporting documentation to Benefit Resource. You can do this in one of two ways:
| • | Log in at the Benefit Resource website and select Online Claim Entry. Complete your claim form, then either upload it to Benefit Resource or print it so you can fax or mail it to Benefit Resource (if allowed by your plan). |
| • | Complete a paper claim form and fax or mail it to Benefit Resource. |
How do I know how much is in my account?
To view your account balance as well as card transaction and claim reimbursement detail, log into the participant website. Or call the toll-free number found on the back of your card, Monday thru Friday from 8 am to 8 pm (Eastern Time). Checking your account balance before using the card will help ensure you have sufficient funds to cover the entire amount of your eligible purchase.
What if an expense is more than the amount left in my account?
| • | If the merchant can do a split transaction, tell the clerk you wish to use the Beniversal Card for the exact amount left in your account and then pay for the remaining amount separately. |
| • | If the merchant cannot do a split transaction, you will need to use another form of payment and submit a claim to Benefit Resource for reimbursement from the funds remaining in your account. |
Do I need a new Beniversal Card each plan year?
No. As long as you continue to participate in an FSA or HRA, you can continue using your card through the expiration date on the card.
| • | Your new Medical FSA election will be loaded on your card at the beginning of each new Plan Year. (Medical FSA funds from the prior plan year will no longer be available on the card after that plan year ends.) |
| • | HRA funds will be available on your card per your HRA Plan Highlights. |
What happens if I terminate employment or cease participation in the plan?
Your card will be automatically cancelled when you stop working for the employer or stop participating in the plan. Claims for eligible expenses may be submitted for reimbursement per your Plan Highlights.
Where do I go for answers to my questions?
| • | Information is available 24/7 online. |
| • | The Benefit Resource Participant Services Department is available via Live Chat (Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm Eastern Time with participant login access) or by calling (800) 473-9595 (Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm Eastern Time). |
What if I lose my card or need another one?
To minimize unauthorized use of your card, be sure to report a lost card immediately by calling Benefit Resource at (800) 473-9595. You can request replacement cards at the same number. (There may be a fee associated with replacing a Beniversal Card.)