University of California Human Resources and Benefits

Home < Employees < Health and Welfare Benefits < Flexible Spending Accounts < Enrollment

Unlike other health and insurance plans, UC's Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health FSA and DepCare FSA, require annual enrollment. So even if you are currently enrolled, you must re-enroll during Open Enrollment or your participation will end December 31.

	When to Enroll	How to Enroll	Effective Date
I am a new UC employee	During your 31-day PIE	Enroll online	First of the month following enrollment.*
I am a rehired employee who has become eligible	During your new 31-day PIE	Submit form UPAY 850 [PDF]	See below. **
I have had an eligible change in family or employment status	During your new 31-day PIE	Submit form UPAY 850 [PDF]	See below. **
I am eligible but not currently enrolled	During Open Enrollment, usually held in the fall	Open Enrollment occurs annually during the fall via At Your Service	January 1 following Open Enrollment

When you enroll, be sure to carefully estimate your expenses. The IRS requires you to forfeit any unclaimed funds in your DepCare FSA or Health FSA after the closing date for the plan year.

* If you enroll as a new employee, coverage is effective at the earliest on the first of the month following the date you enroll, and it may be effective one month beyond that, depending on several factors. You will not be reimbursed for expenses incurred before your effective date.

** The effective date depends on whether you enroll online or using a paper form and whether your enrollment is processed before or after your local payroll deadline for that month. Depending on these factors, the effective date can be from a few days to almost two months after enrollment. Generally, paper forms take longer to process. If you enroll online, your confirmation notice will show the effective date, but there is no confirmation notice for paper enrollments. Ask your local Benefits Office about specifics for your location.

To cancel or change enrollment
Health FSA and DepCare FSA contributions cannot be changed during the year unless you experience a qualifying event. The IRS defines qualifying events and allowed changes. They include:

A change in number of eligible dependents;
A change in dependent eligibility, including a child reaching age 13;
A change in your legal marital status;
A change in your residence;
A change in employment status that causes a gain of benefit eligibility;
A change in cost or coverage—that is, your dependent care expenses increase or decrease, or you change child care providers or the amount of time needed for child care.

See your Benefits Office for more information.

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