Health FSA open enrollment for 2018 begins October 1, 2017

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, September 26 — Open enrollment for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) 2018 benefit year runs from October 1 through October 31, 2017. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every year — FSA enrollment is not automatic each year so interested members should act soon so they do not miss out on enrollment for the 2018 Plan Year.

The FSA Plan is available to BLET represented engineers working on participating railroads, and all train service employees of the Texas Mexican Railway. This important health care benefit was secured by the BLET in the 2012 National Agreement. At least 7.5% of eligible engineers must participate in the FSA Plan in the 2018 Plan Year, and subsequent Plan Years, or the Carriers will have the right to terminate the plan. Also, BLET members subject to the September 16, 2011 UTU National Agreement are currently eligible to participate in the Health FSA program provided for in that Agreement.

To Register

You must enroll online by logging in to the Your Track to Health website:
http://www.yourtracktohealth.com/

Once logged in, look to the upper-left corner of the screen and select the option to “ENROLL NOW for 2018.” New users may have to complete a brief registration process. Again, open enrollment ends at midnight on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.

Who is eligible?

Except as noted at the end of this paragraph, locomotive engineers and Tex-Mex train service employees covered by the Health & Welfare portion of the most recent National Agreement, dated January 5, 2012, are eligible to participate in the FSA Plan. The national FSA is distinct and separate from the on-property BNSF FSA Plan. The participation rates identified in this News Flash do not apply to BNSF engineers, and BNSF engineers are not required to participate in the open enrollment described in this News Flash. Also, BLET members subject to the September 16, 2011 UTU National Agreement are currently eligible to participate in the Health FSA program provided for in that Agreement.

What is the FSA Plan?

The FSA Plan, administered by United Healthcare, is designed to allow you to use pretax dollars to pay for certain medical expenses that are not covered under any health plan (including a railroad health & welfare plan) or any other source. You can then use your FSA account to cover eligible expenses, which means you will be using pretax dollars to pay for those expenses. When you enroll in the Health FSA, you will be able to use a special Health Care Spending Card to easily pay for eligible FSA expenses. It’s connected to your flexible spending account so there is no need to write checks or submit claim forms. Review Health FSA tips and FAQs at:
http://tinyurl.com/RRHealthFSA

What can you save on taxes?

You could save hundreds of dollars in taxes each year with the FSA. The amount you could save in taxes depends on how much you set aside and the amount of your expenses. The minimum amount you can contribute to the Health FSA program for the 2018 calendar year is $120 and the maximum for the year is $2,500.

Also, the online FSA Calculator Tool allows you to input annual estimated out-of-pocket costs for medical services (such as deductibles, co-payments, eye exams, dental exams, etc.), then shows you how much money you will save on taxes by using the FSA. To check out the potential savings for you and your family, visit the FSA Calculator Tool here:
http://tinyurl.com/fsacalculate

How do I sign up?

Information to sign up for the FSA is contained in open enrollment packets that are being mailed during the week of September 23, 2017. Eligible members should receive this information prior to the open enrollment period, which runs until October 31, 2017. This year, open enrollment is again being done online (http://www.yourtracktohealth.com). Please call the FSA Customer Care Center at 1-888-298-9754 if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit the Your Track to Health website for answers to commonly asked questions regarding the Health FSA program:
http://tinyurl.com/RRHealthFSA

The new plan year begins January 1, 2018, but you will need to make your elections during the open enrollment period — even if you enrolled last year you will need to re-enroll for the upcoming plan year as this is a program that requires annual enrollment and elections — or you will miss the train on this one!

PDF Flyer

For more information about Your Track To Health and the 2018 Health FSA open enrollment period, please download the following PDF:
http://www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/2018_Health_FSA_Flyers.pdf
 

BLET members to keep Health FSA plan for 2017

 INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, December 27 -” Members of the Brotherhood of  Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will keep their Health Flexible  Spending Accounts (Health FSA) through 2017 thanks to an increased level of participation in this money-saving plan.

A negotiated  benefit obtained in the 2012 National Agreement, the Health FSA allows  members to use pretax dollars to pay for certain medical expenses that  are not covered under any health plan (including a railroad health & welfare plan) or any other source. The plan could allow members to save hundreds of dollars per year in taxes.

The 2012 National  Agreement stipulates that at least 7.5% of eligible engineers must  participate in the Health FSA in each Plan Year (after 2014) or the  Carriers would have the right to terminate it. Following the conclusion  of the Open Enrollment for the 2017 plan year, 10.28% of eligible BLET  members had enrolled in the program, which is up from the 8.65%  participation level achieved during the 2016 Plan Year.

Except  as noted at the end of this paragraph, members eligible for the plan  include locomotive engineers and Tex-Mex train service employees covered by the Health & Welfare portion of the 2012 National Agreement.  Also, BLET members subject to the September 16, 2011 UTU National  Agreement are currently eligible to participate in the Health FSA  program provided for in that Agreement. The national Health FSA is  distinct and separate from the on-property BNSF Health FSA plan. The  participation rates identified in this News Flash do not apply to BNSF  engineers.

BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce thanked all  BLET members who are participating in the plan and encouraged more  members to sign up for future Plan Years.

“The Health FSA program has proven to be a money saver for BLET families,” President Pierce said. “I am encouraged by our membership’s steady participation level  and I am optimistic that it will continue to increase as the word  spreads about the Plan’s benefits and more members become familiar with  the positive aspects of the plan.”

Any members with questions regarding the FSA should call United Healthcare at (888) 298-9754 or visit
Your Track to Health

BLET members to keep Health FSA plan for 2016

CLEVELAND, November 10, 2015 — Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen will keep their Health Flexible Spending Accounts (Health FSA) through 2016 thanks to an increased level of participation in this money-saving plan.

A negotiated benefit obtained in the 2012 National Agreement, the Health FSA allows members to use pretax dollars to pay for certain medical expenses that are not covered under any health plan (including a railroad health & welfare plan) or any other source. The plan could allow members to save hundreds of dollars per year in taxes.

The 2012 National Agreement stipulates that at least 7.5% of eligible engineers must participate in the Health FSA in each Plan Year or the Carriers would have the right to terminate it. Following the conclusion of the Open Enrollment for the 2016 plan year, 8.65% of eligible BLET members had enrolled in the program, which is an increase over the 8.57% participation level achieved during the 2015 Plan Year.

Except as noted at the end of this paragraph, members eligible for the plan include locomotive engineers and Tex-Mex train service employees covered by the Health & Welfare portion of the 2012 National Agreement. The national Health FSA is distinct and separate from the on-property BNSF Health FSA plan. The participation rates identified in this News Flash do not apply to BNSF engineers.

BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce thanked all BLET members who are participating in the plan and encouraged more members to sign up for future Plan Years.

“The Health FSA program has proven to be a money saver for BLET families over the past few years,”? President Pierce said. “I am optimistic that participation levels will continue to increase as the word spreads about the Plan’s benefits and more members become familiar with the positive aspects of the plan”

Any members with questions regarding the FSA should call United Healthcare at (888) 298-9754 or visit Your Track to Health.

Health FSA open enrollment for 2016 begins October 1, 2015

CLEVELAND, September 24 - Open enrollment for the Health Flexible  Spending Account Plan (FSA) 2016 benefit year runs from October 1  through October 31, 2015. Members must enroll in the Health FSA every  year - FSA enrollment is not automatic each year so interested members  should act soon so they do not miss out on enrollment for the 2016 Plan  Year.

The FSA Plan is available to BLET represented engineers  working on participating railroads, and all train service employees of  the Texas Mexican Railway. This important health care benefit was  secured by the BLET in the 2011 national contract. At least 7.5% of  eligible engineers must participate in the FSA Plan in the 2016 Plan  Year, and subsequent Plan Years, or the Carriers will have the right to  terminate the plan beginning with the following Plan Year.

To Register

You can enroll online at the Your Track to Health website: www.yourtracktohealth.com

Once there, click “Login”? in the upper-right corner. If you have already  registered, enter your username and password. If you have not  registered, select “New User?”€? at the bottom of the screen to complete  your registration. Once logged in, look to the upper-left corner of the  screen and select the option to “ENROLL NOW FOR 2016”

Review  your personal benefit information and enroll in the Health FSA. Again,  open enrollment ends at midnight on Saturday, October 31, 2015.

Who is eligible?

Except as noted at the end of this paragraph, locomotive engineers and Tex-Mex train service employees covered by the Health & Welfare portion of  the most recent National Agreement, dated January 5, 2012, are eligible  to participate in the FSA Plan. The national FSA is distinct and  separate from the on-property BNSF FSA Plan. The participation rates  identified in this News Flash do not apply to BNSF engineers.

What is the FSA Plan?

The FSA Plan, administered by United Healthcare, is designed to allow you  to use pretax dollars to pay for certain medical expenses that are not  covered under any health plan (including a railroad health & welfare plan) or any other source. You can then use your FSA account to cover  eligible expenses, which means you’ll be using pretax dollars to pay for those expenses. The FSA program was recently enhanced with the addition of an FSA debit card to make it easier to access and use your FSA  funds. Visit Your Track to Health for more information:
tinyurl.com/RRHealthFSA

What can you save?

You could save hundreds of dollars in taxes each year with the FSA. The  amount you could save in taxes depends on how much you set aside and the amount of your expenses.

Also, the FSA Calculator Tool allows  you to input annual estimated out-of-pocket costs for medical services  (such as deductibles, co-payments, eye exams, dental exams), then shows  you how much money you will save on taxes by using the FSA. To check out the potential savings for you and your family, visit the FSA Calculator Tool here:
tinyurl.com/fsacalculate

How do I sign up?

Information to sign up for the FSA is contained in open enrollment packets that are being mailed during the week of September 21, 2015. Eligible members  should receive this information prior to the open enrollment period,  which runs until October 31, 2015. This year, open enrollment is again  being done on-line (www.yourtracktohealth.com). Please call Railroad Enrollment Services at 1-888-298-9754 if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit the Your Track to Health website for answers to commonly asked questions regarding the Health FSA program:
tinyurl.com/RRHealthFSA

The new plan year begins January 1, 2016, but you will need to make your  elections during the open enrollment period — even if you enrolled last  year you will need to re-enroll for the upcoming plan year as this is a  program that requires annual enrollment and elections — or you will miss the train on this one!

More information is available in the attached flyers provided by United Healthcare:
www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/Health_FSA_2016.pdf
and
www.ble-t.org/pr/pdf/Health_FSA_Flyer_2016.pdf

Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan open enrollment begins October 1, 2013

CLEVELAND, September 11 - Open enrollment will run from October 1, 2013  until November 2, 2013, for the Health Flexible Spending Account Plan  (Health FSA), which is available to BLET represented engineers who work at participating railroads, and all train service employees of Texas Mexican Railway.

This important health care benefit, secured by  the BLET during the most recent national contract, is in danger of  falling by the wayside unless membership participation increases. At  least 5% of eligible engineers must participate in the Health FSA in the 2014 Plan Year, and 7.5% in the 2015 and subsequent Plan Years, or the  Carriers will have the right to terminate the plan beginning with the  following Plan Year. The deadline to register for the 2014 benefit year  is November 2, 2013, and the BLET is encouraging all members to sign up.

Who is eligible?
Except as noted at the end of this paragraph, locomotive engineers and Tex-Mex train service employees covered by the Health & Welfare portion of  the most recent National Agreement, dated January 5, 2012, are eligible  to participate in the FSA plan. The national Health FSA is distinct and  separate from the on-property BNSF Health FSA plan. The participation  rates identified in this News Flash do not apply to BNSF engineers.

What is the FSA Plan?
The FSA Plan, administered by United Healthcare, is designed to allow you  to use pretax dollars to pay for certain medical expenses that are not  covered under any health plan (including a railroad health & welfare plan) or any other source. You are then reimbursed for eligible  expenses from your FSA, which means you’ll be using pretax dollars to  pay for those expenses. Download this PDF flyer for more information.

What can you save?
You could save hundreds of dollars in taxes each year with a health FSA. Click here for a specific example. The amount you could save in taxes depends on how much you set aside and the amount of your expenses. This PDF flyer has more information.

Why you should participate?
The FSA program will allow you to put aside your own dollars on a pre-tax  basis to be available for reimbursement -to you- of eligible and  qualified health care expenses not covered by your medical, vision, or  dental plans, as well as other approved Health and Welfare expenses, for which coverage is not afforded.

What is covered?
Certain medical, pharmacy, dental and vision expenses are eligible for the program. This PDF provides a complete list of covered items and procedures.

How do I sign up?
Information to sign up for the Health FSA is contained in the open enrollment  packets. Eligible members will receive this information in the near  future, prior to the open enrollment period, which runs from October 1,  2013 until November 2, 2013. This year, open enrollment is again being  done on-line. Please call Railroad Enrollment Services at 1-888-298-9754 if you have any questions.

Use it or lose it?
Per federal regulations, you must use all the money in your Health FSA for  expenses incurred during your Period of Coverage (for the 2014 Plan  Year, the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2014) or you  will forfeit the unused portion. This provision is typically referred to as “use it or lose itâ€? and any unused funds will be diverted to pay for the plan’s administration costs. Members are advised to keep this in  mind when making their elections for how much money to put into the plan at first so that you know for certain that you will easily spend all  the funds. However, this should not be a reason to not take advantage of a great benefit such as this, especially because you can put as little  as $10 per month ($120 total for the Plan Year) as the minimum to  participate in the Health FSA.

The new plan year begins January 1, 2014, but you will need to make your elections during the upcoming  open enrollment period or you will miss the train on this one!

For more information, please download the following Health FSA plan summary.

Health Flexible Spending Account Calculator Tool now available

CLEVELAND, September 18 - A health flexible spending account (Health  FSA) is a benefit plan that lets you save by putting pre-tax money aside in a special account to help pay for certain medical costs and other  health services. This means you can save on what you pay in your annual  income taxes. Open enrollment for eligible BLET represented engineers  who work at certain railroads (and all train service employees of the  Texas Mexican Railway) will begin on October 1, 2013, and you can now  calculate your potential savings by using the new Health FSA Calculator Tool.

The Health FSA Calculator Tool allows you to input annual  estimated out-of-pocket costs for medical services (such as deductibles, co-payments, eye exams, dental exams), then shows you how much money  you will save on taxes by using the Health FSA. To check out the  potential savings for you and your family, visit the Health FSA Calculator Tool here.

As reported previously, this important health care benefit may be lost  unless membership participation increases. At least 5% of eligible  engineers must participate in the Health FSA in the 2014 Plan Year, and  7.5% in the 2015 and subsequent Plan Years, or the Carriers will have  the right to terminate the plan beginning the following Plan Year.

Announcing a new benefit available for certain railroad employees
— Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan

(The following information is provided by United Healthcare. You may download a PDF from the BLET website.)

CLEVELAND, October 8 — A new Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Plan will be available to certain railroad employees for the plan year beginning January 1, 2013.

What is the Health FSA Plan?
The Health FSA Plan, administered by United Healthcare, is designed to allow you to use pretax dollars to pay for certain medical expenses that are not covered under any health plan (including a railroad health and welfare plan) or any other source. You then submit requests for reimbursements of eligible expenses from your Health FSA, which means you’ll be using pretax dollars to pay for those expenses.

When you enroll in the Health FSA Plan, you agree to have a certain amount deducted from your wages and contributed to your Health FSA.

Who Is Eligible to Participate in the Health FSA?
To be eligible to participate in the Health FSA Plan, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• You reside in the United States, and
• You are employed by a participating railroad, and
• You are a member of a participating labor organization.

If your eligibility changes during the plan year and you no longer meet the above requirements, then your participation in the Health FSA Plan will end and all wage deductions and contributions to the Health FSA will cease as of the date of termination.

How Much Can You Contribute to the Health FSA?
The minimum amount you can contribute to the Health FSA Plan for the 2013 plan year is $120, and the maximum amount you can contribute is $2,500. Once you agree to have a specific amount deducted from your wages for your Health FSA, you cannot change the deduction amount for the remainder of the plan year.

Reimbursable Expenses Under the Health FSA
The Health FSA Plan will reimburse you only for eligible medical expenses for you, your husband or wife, and persons who are your dependents under federal tax law. The expenses must be for “medical care” as defined by the IRS, and must not be covered by another health plan.

NOTE: Only eligible expenses that are incurred during your “Period of Coverage” are reimbursable. An expense is incurred when the service is performed, not when you are billed for the service or when you pay for it. In general, the Period of Coverage is the plan year (January 1 to December 31, 2013), but your Period of Coverage may terminate early if you stop working and stop making contributions to the Health FSA.

The following kinds of expenses may be eligible for reimbursement under the Health FSA Plan:

• All deductibles or co-payments under your medical, prescription drug, dental or vision plan
• Certain dental services not covered by your dental plan
• Fertility Treatment
• Vasectomy
• Laser Eye Surgery
• Speech Therapy not covered under a railroad or any other plan
• Medical expenses for persons who qualify as your dependents under federal tax law but who are not covered under your plan

The following kinds of expenses are NOT eligible for reimbursement under the Health FSA Plan:

• Any amounts that are eligible for reimbursement from another source, such as any health plan or Medicare
• Any expenses for which a federal itemized deduction is taken
• Premiums or employee contributions for health, dental or vision coverage
• Over-the-counter medicines and drugs, unless your doctor gives you a prescription for them
• Health or fitness club membership for general health
• Weight reduction programs for general health
• Personal care items
• Cosmetic services and supplies
• Cosmetic surgery or other cosmetic procedures that do not qualify as medical care under federal tax law

Other expenses not listed here may or may not be eligible for reimbursement. You can get a more detailed list of eligible expenses online at www.rrinfodepot.com or www.myuhc.com, or by calling United Healthcare toll free at 1-888-298-9754 (beginning January 1, 2013).

Use It Or Lose It Rule & Grace Period
Per federal regulations, you must use all the money in your Health FSA for expenses incurred during your Period of Coverage or you will forfeit the unused portion. However, the Health FSA Plan has a grace period: If you do not incur sufficient Health FSA Plan eligible expenses to use all of your 2013 contributions by December 31, 2013, your plan provides a 30-day grace period during which you can incur additional eligible expenses for which you can be reimbursed using your 2013 contributions. The grace period begins on January 1, 2014 and ends on January 30, 2014.

Submitting Health FSA Claims
Beginning January 1, 2013, you can find and print claim forms to be reimbursed for eligible Health FSA expenses at www.myuhc.com, and you may obtain claims forms by calling United Healthcare toll free at 1-888-298-9754. The claim form explains what documentation is needed for reimbursement and includes a mailing address. You will have until March 31, 2014 to submit claims for expenses incurred between January 1, 2013 and January 30, 2014.

Additional Information
Railroad employees who elect to participate in the Health FSA Plan will receive a Summary Plan Description (SPD) booklet early next year. In the meantime, if you would like additional information about this exciting new benefit program, please contact United Healthcare at 1-800-842-9905.

Member Information Portal
Beginning January 1, 2013, through myuhc.com you will be able to:

• Access your Health FSA benefit information such as Health FSA claim and account balances and a wealth of other health and well-being information and support resources – all on a real-time basis.

• Obtain a complete statement of your account and all transactions at any time.

• Activate Direct Deposit of reimbursable expenses.

• You have the option of direct deposit for your reimbursable expenses. It offers a faster turnaround time on reimbursements and is more convenient for you because the money is placed directly into an account of your choice.

• To take advantage of this feature, here are the simple steps to follow:

    • Log into myuhc.com with your ID and Password
    • Select the “Claims and Accounts” link
    • Then select “Direct Deposit”
    • From the Direct Deposit page, select “Add/Change Direct Deposit” to enroll
    • You will need to verify your myuhc.com password, and then enter your bank information (bank name, account type, routing number and account number)

• To access your account information on myuhc.com:

• If you already have an ID and Password, enter them on the home page; if you are a United Healthcare member and this is your first time accessing this site, click on the “Register Now” tab and follow the instructions. You will need your member medical ID card to register.

• If you are an Aetna or Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield member, click on the “Register Now” tab and then the “No ID Card” link. Follow the instructions by entering your Social Security Number and Date of Birth.

Monday, October 08, 2012
bentley@ble.org

http://www.ble.org/pr/news/newsflash.asp?id=5344