Healthcare Spending Account (HSA)
The Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) saves you money, reduces your taxes and expands your health and dental coverage, and is so flexible that you will be able to use it where you need it the most.
How it Works
Each year on May 1, $100 will be deposited to your personal Healthcare Spending Account (HSA). This amount can be used to top up your coverage and pay for certain healthcare, vision care, and dental expenses that are not covered or fully covered elsewhere.
It can be used for any health or dental expense that is listed as an eligible expense under the Income Tax Act. For a complete list of eligible expenses, go to
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/ndvdls/tpcs/ncm-tx/rtrn/cmpltng/ddctns/lns300-350/330/menu-eng.html
You can use your HSA to cover expenses for anyone you claim as a dependant on your tax return, even if they do not qualify as a dependant under your IBEW Local 353 plan.
- Any money deposited into your HSA in one play year must be used by the end of the following plan year, otherwise it will be forfeited. This is a Canada Revenue Agency requirement that the plan must comply with.
- You cannot withdraw cash from your HSA
- You cannot make personal contributions to your HSA
Some of the same limitations that apply to your other benefits also apply to your HSA
No benefits will be paid for:
- expenses private insurers are not, by law, permitted to cover;
- services and supplies you are entitled to without charge, by law, or for which charge is made only because you have insurance coverage;
- expenses arising from war, insurection, acts of terrorism, or voluntary participation in a riot.
How to Make a Claim With Your HSA
You can only claim through the healthcare spending account after all insurance plans have been paid out. That includes your basic plan, your spouse's plan, and provincial plans. You must first submit your claim to all other sources before the HSA. Any outstanding balance can then be submitted to the HSA.
There is a special claim form to be used if you are claiming any amounts from your HSA only if you are claiming any balances.
Claim forms are available at both www.teibas.com and the union office. In most cases, all you have to do is check the box at the top of the form indicating you want any unpaid portion processed through your HSA. Great West Life will not process any unpaid balances from your healthcare spending account unless it has been indicated on the claim form. Only you can submit to claim the amount. It is not automatic.
In cases where you have coverage under another plan, such as you spouse's plan, you can use the special forms labelled "health Care Spending Account Claims Only."
All claims on the current year's HSA must be submitted within 90 days.
When completing forms be sure to:
- Attach all original receipts (or the original Explanation of Benefits if you've already submitted this claim under another plan).
- Keep a copy of you claim form and receipts (or Explanation of Benefits) for your own records.
- Send the original claim form to:
Winnipeg Benefit Payments P.O. Box 3050, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 0E6