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?
Can I use the card to purchase eligible over-the-counter items?
What can I purchase with my Beniversal Card?
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 substantiation that my card was used to pay for an eligible expense?
Can I use my card to pay for a service before it is provided?
Can I use the Beniversal Card if I receive a statement with 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 service, 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 allows you to use funds from your Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and/or Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to pay for eligible medical expenses at point-of-sale.
When can I start using my Beniversal Card?
Before using your card, you must:
- wait to use the card on or after your effective date in the plan;
- activate and sign the card (follow the instructions received with your card).
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 current plan year minus any prior payments and reimbursements.
(Note that only funds from the current plan year may be accessed on your 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 MasterCard debit cards. Qualified Merchants include medical providers such as:
- Doctors - Medical labs - Chiropractors
- Dentists - Podiatrists - Medical supply stores
- Orthodontists - IIAS merchants - Hospitals
- Vision centers - 90% merchants
| • | An IIAS merchant has an Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) that can automatically separate 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 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 locations 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! | |
Can I use the card to purchase eligible over-the-counter (OTC) items?
If you have a general-purpose Medical FSA, eligible medical OTC items can be purchased with your card. (This may also be true for a limited-purpose FSA and an HRA. Check your HRA Plan Highlights for details.) Note that OTC items may only be purchased with your card at qualfied merchants.
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. |
What if I order my prescription through an online or mail order program?
If the merchant is a Qualified Merchant, simply enter your Beniversal Card number on the order form and submit it to the online or mail order company, just like any other MasterCard transaction.
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 substantiate an expense. Benefit Resource will contact you when this is necessary.
How do I submit receipts to Benefit Resource?
Benefit Resource will contact you if an expense needs to be substantiated. If you receive this notification, simply do the following:
| • | Complete the substantiation request form. |
| • | Attach your itemized receipt, bill, statement 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.) |
| • | Mail or fax the request form along with corresponding documentation to Benefit Resource within the indicated timeframe. |
| • | Requested 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 substantiation that my Card was used to pay for an eligible medical expense?
IRS regulations require certain actions to be taken if substantiation is not provided as requested. You may reimburse the plan for the unsubtantiated expense or provide substitute claims to offset future reimbursements by the amount of the unsubstantiated expense. If these are not not done: (i) your card and account may be suspensed; (ii) your eligibility to participate in the plan may be suspended; and/or (iii) the amount of the unsubstantiated expense may be deducted from your wages on an after-tax basis.
Can I use my 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. Reimbursement of orthodontia may be based either on date of payment, date of service or payment due date on statements/coupons.)
Can I use the Beniversal Card if I receive a statement with 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 and you have sufficient funds in your account. However, if documentation is needed to substantiate 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. To be eligible for payment with your card, a service must be 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, for any eligible amount not reimbursed elsewhere, submit a paper claim to Benefit Resource.
What are some reasons my Beniversal Card might not work at the point-of-sale?
| • | Your card has not been activated. |
| • | You used your card before the second business day after activation. |
| • | 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 claim to Benefit Resource requesting reimbursement of the expense.
How do I know how much is in my account?
To view your card transactions, claim reimbursements and current balance, login to 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 that there are 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 to be reimbursed 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.
| • | HRA funds will be loaded on your card per your Plan Highlights. |
| • | Your new Medical FSA election will be loaded on your card at the beginning of each new plan year. Any remaining Medical FSA blaance from the prior plan year will no longer be available on the card. |
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 also available Monday through Friday from 8 am to 8 pm (Eastern Time) at the toll-free number on the back of your card. |
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 1-800-473-9595. You can request replacement cards at the same number. Note that there may be a fee associated with replacing a Beniversal Card.