The Flexible Benefits Plan established by the University is an important
part of your overall benefits package. This plan permits the University to
exclude, from both Federal income and Social Security taxes, amounts you
contribute to a medical and/or dependent care reimbursement account. By
enrolling in one or both of the reimbursement accounts, you can designate
a fixed dollar amount to be set aside annually for dependent care and/or
medical expenses. Subsequently, as expenses are incurred, the University
will reimburse you through your payroll check for those expenses.
You should have received general information about the Flexible Benefit
Annual Enrollment Period by interoffice mail. Please review eligible
medical expenses on page 3, #17 in order to help compute your fixed dollar
amount to be set aside. Some examples are listed at the end of this email.
Your Flexible Benefits Plan Enrollment Forms for the coming year (2004)
must be submitted to Personnel Services (Dept. #3603) by 3:00 on Monday,
December 15, 2003, in order for us to insure that those forms reach the
Knoxville Payroll Office by December 16.
Medical expenses allowable to be claimed:
Acupuncture
Birth control pills
Braille books and magazines
Co-insurance amounts
Contact lenses
Deductibles - Insurance
Dental Expenses
Doctor's fees
Expenses for alcoholism & drug addiction treatment
Eye glasses
Eye examination
Guide dogs
Hearing aids/batteries
Health screening examinations
Hospital services
Immunizations
Laboratory fees
Medical equipment
Medical out-of-pocket expenses
Nursing home medical expenses
Orthodontic care
Physical examination/check-ups
Prescription Drugs
Prescribed foods
Prescribed vitamins
Reconstructive surgery
Special schools for handicapped
Therapy received as medical treatment
Transportation to receive medical care*
X-ray fees
*Transportation refers to documented services such as ambulance, plane, train,
etc. Automobile mileage for medical treatment is an ineligible expense.
NOTE: NEW MEDICAL EXPENSES ALLOWABLE TO BE CLAIMED: On September 3, 2003,
the Federal Government issued Revenue Ruling 2003-102 to broaden the type
of expenses that can be included in an employer's Medical Reimbursement
Plan.
As a result of that ruling the University of Tennessee Medical
Reimbursement Plan has been enhanced to allow reimbursement for
over-the-counter (OCT) drugs that are used to alleviate or treat personal
injury or illnesses and some dietary supplements such as pre-natal
vitamins, calcium, iron, and other supplements provided the use of the
supplement are recommended by a physician. The reimbursement for these
types of expenses is retroactive to January 1, 2003 for individuals who
have a Medical Reimbursement Account for calendar year 2003.
Examples of OCT drugs that can be included in the reimbursement plan are
antacid, allergy medicine, pain relievers, cold medicines, medications,
such as Neosporin. Items that are merely beneficial to general health,
such as vitamins can not be included in the reimbursement plan.
If you have any questions and/or choose to participate in the Flexible
Benefit Plan during calendar year 2004, please either call me (x4452) or
email me to request the forms. Please indicate if you wish to participate
in the medical and/or dependent care plan. Also, please give me your Dept.
Mailing code.
All completed forms must be returned to Personnel Services by December 15,
2003.
Forms and additional information regarding the Flexible Benefits Plan are
available at the following website:
http://www.utc.edu/Units/HumanResources/Benefits/
Kathy Bonham
Benefits Specialist
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Personnel Services, Dept. #3603
615 McCallie Ave.
Chattanooga, TN 37403
Office 423-425-4452
Fax 423-425-4574
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