New UT Flex Options per 2021 CAA
May 11, 2021
For All:
- 2019-2020 UT FLEX participants with a remaining balance;
- 2020-2021 UT FLEX participants; and
- 2020-2021 UT FLEX participants; and
Employees who are currently eligible for accounts, but not enrolled.
There are expanded options and extended deadlines to incur expenses and file claims now available to you as a UT FLEX participant. These latest updates to rules governing 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 UT FLEX accounts were authorized by the recently enacted Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA).
On February 4, 2021, an email notice went out to colleagues regarding the new UT FLEX options under the CAA.
Deadline to request a midyear change: April 30, 2021.
Send your written request no later than April 30, 2021 to benefits@utdallas.edu.
You can view the details here: Updated UT FLEX Options and review our FAQs below:
I’m not sure if I had leftover funds from 2019-2020. How can I view my account(s) to confirm?
If you are currently enrolled in the UT FLEX plans and are curious to know if you have a balance from 2019-2020, you can follow these instructions (pdf) to create your member account and view your balances. Once you register, you can also download the mobile app to view your account(s) information via your smartphone. If you don’t have a current account, you may need to contact Maestro’s customer service team at (844) UTS-FLEX (887-3539) or email questions@maestrohealth.com for assistance in accessing last year’s account information.
I had a healthcare UT FLEX account last year and have leftover funds. However, I did not enroll in UT FLEX this year and I’m not interested in signing up for the current year. Can I still use my healthcare UT FLEX debit card to use my 2019-2020 funds?
If you participated in the UT FLEX HCRA in 2019-2020 but are NOT a current HCRA participant for 2020-2021, your debit card is not functional. You must submit claims directly for any additional eligible expenses incurred. If you need assistance with submitting claims, you can contact Maestro’s customer service team at (844) UTS-FLEX (887-3539) or email questions@maestrohealth.com, for help in accessing last year’s account information.
I had a UT FLEX account last year, 2019-2020, with leftover funds following the previous deadline of 12/31/2020. I’m also enrolled in UT FLEX for the current 2020-2021 plan year. When I use my Healthcare FLEX card, will the charges be deducted from last year’s account first until its exhausted automatically?
Yes. If you had leftover funds from 2019-2020 after 12/31/2020, those funds will automatically be used first and exhausted, before your 2020-2021 funds. If you have question or see something different happening, please contact Maestro Health directly at (844) UTS-FLEX (887-3539) or email questions@maestrohealth.com.
I had a UT FLEX account last year, 2019-2020, with leftover funds following the previous deadline of 12/31/2020. I’m also enrolled in UT FLEX for the current 2020-2021 plan year. In January this year, I had services that I paid for using 2020-2021 funds. Now that we’re aware we have an extension to use 2019-2020 funds, will my January claims be reprocessed to use last year years funds instead?
If you would like January 2021 or early February 2021 claims to be reprocessed and paid with leftover funds from your 2019-2020, you will need to contact Maestro Health directly at (844) UTS-FLEX (887-3539) or email questions@maestrohealth.com.
I did not have UT FLEX last year, and also declined it for the current 2020-201 plan year. I’m now interested in signing up for the UT FLEX benefit. If I enroll in UTFLEX for this year, can I use the funds for any services incurred during the plan year as of 9/1/2020?
If you are adding UT FLEX as a new benefit for the current 2020-2021 plan year, you can only use the funds for services incurred as of your new plan effective date, through the extended deadline of 8/31/2022. You cannot use the funds for services incurred earlier in the plan year, prior to your effective date.
I’m currently enrolled in the UT FLEX plan for the 2020-2021, and I’m interested in increasing my annual election to have more funds available. If I increase my annual election, can I use the additional funds to pay for services incurred during the plan year as of 9/1/20210?
Yes. If you are currently enrolled and elect to increase your annual election, you can use the extra funds to pay for services incurred during the plan year as of 9/1/2020, through the extended deadline of 8/31/2022.
I’m on a 9-month pay frequency and I’m interested in adding UT FLEX. How will the new funds be deducted from my paychecks?
If you are adding UT FLEX for the first time this plan year, or you decide to increase your current UT FLEX annual election, the difference will be divided among the last remaining paychecks in the year. For our 9-month pay colleagues, there are 3 pays left for the current year (4/1/2021, 5/1/2021, and 6/1/2021). Your election will be divided among those 3 or possibly 2 remaining pays, based on the timing of your request.
How will the extensions apply to someone who ends their UTD employment or loses benefits eligibility and had the 2020-2021 UT FLEX plan(s)?
Any employee that terminates employment or loses benefits eligibility, can incur expenses through the last day of the month in which they end their employment or lose eligibility. In this scenario, the extension to incur new expenses does not apply. However, the extension to submit claims for service dates incurred through the last day of the month in which employment or eligibility ends does. The claims filing deadline would be 8/31/2022. The exception to this would be if the employee enrolls in COBRA.
Example
- Employee terms or loses benefits eligibility effective: 3/3/2021
- Last day to incur new expenses: 3/31/2021
- Claims Filing Deadline for expenses with service dates through 3/31/2021: 8/31/2022