Mid-Year Benefit election Options!
As part of the nation’s response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), the Department of Labor and the Internal Revenue Service have issued guidance providing additional flexibility to employees in employer-sponsored benefit programs. Under this guidance, the City's LAwell Civilian Employee Benefits Program (LAwell Program) allows the following mid-year election changes (effective June 15, 2020, and continuing for the remainder of 2020 or until the end of the COVID-19 outbreak period as declared by the federal government, whichever comes first):
Mid-year qualifying life event reporting window extension
An employee normally has thirty days to report a life event (such as a marriage, birth, or loss of dependent coverage) to make a change in coverage. The thirty-day reporting requirement has been temporarily waived. Any employee with a qualifying life event occurring on or after March 1, 2020, may report their qualifying life event and make changes to their benefit options. Find out more about qualifying life events here.
New or changed elections for a 2020 Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA) or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account (DCRA)
An employee not currently enrolled in a HCFSA or DCRA for 2020 may elect a new 2020 account beginning June 15, 2020. A qualifying life event is not needed for this election, but all new elections are irrevocable. Contributions made into your account may only be reimbursed for qualifying expenses incurred from the date of your election through March 15, 2021 (see new grace period below).
Employees currently enrolled in a HCFSA or DCRA for 2020 may increase or decrease their election amounts. A qualifying life event is not needed to make a change. All changes are prospective and will be effective on the next applicable paycheck and continue through the remainder of the calendar year, subject to eligibility. To make a change effective for a specific paycheck, please make your request by the following deadlines:
Additional dates are posted here.
Grace period for a HCFSA or DCRA
All employees enrolled in an HCFSA or DCRA for 2020 will now have from January 1, 2020 to March 15, 2021 to incur expenses. Reimbursement claims must be made by April 30, 2021. This change occurs automatically for all 2020 enrolled employees. No election is required.
To make a change permitted under this new federal guidance, please call the LAwell Program Benefits Services Center at 833-4LA-WELL (833-452-9355) Monday through Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm.
For more information and full details on these temporary rule changes, visit KeepingLAwell.com.
Other resources and information
CARES Act - In addition to the temporary rules above, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) has expanded eligible expenses under the Healthcare account. For a full list of expenses, please visit: WageWorks.com.
Stay up to date on COVID-19 LAwell resources by visiting https://keepinglawell.com/ covid-19/
Additional services for Anthem members impacted by social unrest.