Health FSA Carryover

Carryover Option (Health FSA only)

You may carry over up to $500 of unused Health FSA contributions from the current year to use in the following year. Any unused carryover amount may be rolled to the following year, not to exceed the maximum carryover limit of $500 (see example). Unused contributions carried over to the next year are forfeited if not used in that year.

With the carryover option, you can take advantage of this great pre-tax benefit, knowing up to $500, if unused, will still be there for you one more year, as long as you remain employed by the State. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Health FSA Carryover Option. (Print FAQ)

How much can I carry over?
The State of Iowa allows the maximum IRS Health FSA carryover amount of $500.

How long are the carryover funds available?
December 31 of the following plan year.   

When are carryover funds made available to me?
January 1 of the following plan year.

Is the carryover benefit automatically applied to my account?
Yes. All current plan year Health FSA participants still employed on 1-1 of the following plan year are eligible to use the carryover option.

Do I need to be enrolled in the next plan year to take advantage of the carryover?
No.  If you are enrolled in a plan year and have carryover funds, you do not need to enroll for the following plan year to submit claims incurred in the new year.  You must be employed in the new year, but do not need to be enrolled in the plan.

Does the grace period for health FSA still apply?
No.  The carryover option replaced the Health FSA grace period option. Employers cannot offer both options in the same plan year.   

What about Dependent Care FSA claims?
The carryover option does not apply to Dependent Care FSA accounts. The grace period option remains available.

Does the carryover option impact the IRS maximum deduction for Health FSA?
No.  The carryover amount is added to your payroll deduction election for the new plan year. (See example)

If I don’t use my $500 carryover in the next year, can I carry it over again the following year? 
No. The maximum carryover amount of $500, if unused, may be rolled to the following plan year only. You must remain employed to submit claims for carryover funds. 

What happens to any unused funds over $500?
Unused funds over the carryover amount are forfeited to the plan. This amount is determined after the April 15 claim filing deadline.

What claims can be reimbursed with carryover funds?
Carryover funds may be used for eligible expenses incurred in next plan year as long as you remain employed.

What is the deadline for using the carryover funds?
The deadline to incur claims is 12-31 of the following plan year only.  The deadline for submitting claims for any carryover funds is April 15 of the following year.

Which funds are used first (current deductions or carryover funds)?
As of August 1018, your carryover dollars are the first to be spent when you submit a claim in the new plan year. Carryover funds must be used in the next calendar year or they will be forfeited.

Examples

An employee carries over unused contributions of $500 from plan year 2018 to plan year 2019. He elects to contribute $2,600 in 2019.  His 2018 contributions plus the carryover amount are available for reimbursement of any eligible expenses incurred during the 2019 plan year.