https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 22 Apr 2026 12:02:26 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dependent-carebenefits-question#post-2427966 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:50:58 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2427966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MOMTOLITTLEB: We talked to his HR person back in November and they said that a spouse GETTING a job is a qualifying life event.<br /> @ShootingStar: right, we maxed out both accounts with his benefits so I couldn't elect anything extra. I did know that haha. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dependent-carebenefits-question#post-2427964 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:48:47 +0000 MOMTOLITTLEB 2427964@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you cancel his health insurance mid-year? Our employers require us to elect during the enrollment periods then can't make a change unless there is a qualifying life event- I think one spouse losing a job qualifies but I don't think a change in jobs does. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dependent-carebenefits-question#post-2427949 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:43:54 +0000 ShootingStar 2427949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: DH and I have switched things back and forth many times now and he should definitely be able to keep his DCA and FSA accounts even without healthcare through that provider. </p> <p>Oh, and I meant to mention earlier, if you do end up switching make sure the total of what you contribute is under/at the maximums. I know the yearly maximum per couple for dep care is $5k. I can't remember what the med one is, it's much higher and changes more often. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dependent-carebenefits-question#post-2427937 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:41:21 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2427937@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: &lt;&lt;Is there a reason why you'd end coverage with DH and switch to yours? There's no cost to either of those benefits so you'd be better off keeping them with your DH.&gt;&gt;<br /> I was under the impression that he couldn't keep the FSA/DCA if we discontinue his health insurance, so that's what I asked. If that's not the case, then I definitely agree it'd be simpler to keep those two accounts as is, and only discontinue his health insurance and switch to mine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dependent-carebenefits-question#post-2427924 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:39:06 +0000 ShootingStar 2427924@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Is there a reason why you'd end coverage with DH and switch to yours? There's no cost to either of those benefits so you'd be better off keeping them with your DH.</p> <p>But, in the even that you decide to switch, here's what happens:</p> <p>For both account there will be a termination date based on when you stop contributing. All claims you submit will need to have occurred before this date. </p> <p>For the medical account your best bet is to submit a claim for any and all expenses before this date for as much money as you can use up. If you guys need glasses/contacts/dentist visits, etc - do it before that date and submit the claim before it gets turned off. If you do it before the termination date, you are entitled to the entire amount of the account. So even if you only contributed $200, but the account was supposed to get to $1000, you could claim all $1000. Yes, this is legal, just in case you're wondering. But if you wait too long, you will only have access to the $200 you contributed.</p> <p>For dependent care you only have access to what you have contributed so you won't be able to claim more than what's in the account at the time. But if your child care is unevenly spaced so that you pay more certain times of the year, you need to make sure that you have enough from the beginning of the year to wipe out the money you've contributed. You also need to be aware with the new account that any expenses are only reimbursable if they are incurred before you started your new account. </p> <p>Again, I highly advise you stick with your DH's benefits for these accounts. Switch healthcare if it's a better deal, but there will likely only be more hassle by switching DCA/FSA providers.</p> <p>Let me know if you have more questions. Another lifetime ago I processed claims like this for a living. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dependent-carebenefits-question#post-2427915 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:34:17 +0000 ms.line 2427915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Even if you switch health insurance, he can still contribute to/use his FSAs. My DH has FSAs with his employer even though we're both on my health plan. The only reason you should "switch" FSAs is if the tax savings would be greater for you than your DH (if you file separately).</p> <p>ETA: My understanding is that HSAs are tied to health plans, but FSAs aren't. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dependent-carebenefits-question#post-2427913 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:34:02 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2427913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjyw: but I thought you couldn't use an FSA account if the health insurance is discontinued? And now this year, it's a new thing, the dependent care account is PART of the health insurance (meaning I sign into the account through the health insurance company website).<br /> And one thing is for sure - we're canceling his health insurance as soon as I start the job because it's a rip-off. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dependent-carebenefits-question#post-2427904 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:31:16 +0000 mrsjyw 2427904@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: You would opt of yours and use your DH's spending accounts for the year if you've maxed his out. Otherwise, you can contribute to the limit in yours! They're each line items in addition to your health insurance coverage! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/dependent-carebenefits-question#post-2427899 Tue, 19 Jan 2016 15:29:55 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2427899@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Right now we have all our benefits through DH's work. I'm supposed to start a new FT job soon and since I've been PT with the company for nearly three years, I already know the benefits are way better and substantially more affordable (health insurance will be half the cost of DH's medical insurance). My question is this: DH had elected to max out his FSA account and his dependent care account for 2016.<br /> What happens with those accounts if/when we switch to my company's benefits? Do I have to elect not to contribute to those accounts, and we use his for the rest of the year? Or will his become null, and we have to switch to mine? If he has already made the contributions from his paychecks, would we subtract that amount, then I elect to contribute the remaining amount? </p> <p>Sorry if that's confusing, I should just ask my HR person hahaha. </p>