Health Care and Limited Use FSA: Human Resources

Health Care and Limited Use FSA

Health Care FSA plan benefits

Reimburses health care expenses, incurred by you and your tax dependents, not eligible to be paid by insurance. Maximum annual election of $3,300 in 2025. The maximum annual election for 2026 has not yet been announced by the IRS. Available to individuals enrolled in the Premier PPO, Select PPO or HMO Illinois plans in 2025, or the PPO or HMO plans in 2026, or those without health coverage through Northwestern University.

Limited Use FSA plan benefits

Reimburses dental and vision services. It may also be used for healthcare and prescription expenses after the annual deductible has been met. This plan is only available to those in the Value PPO in 2026, or the HSA Plus or HSA Essential in 2026. The deductible will be considered met on the date the claim for services is processed through insurance; not the date of service. Maximum annual election of $3,300 in 2025. The maximum annual election for 2026 has not yet been announced by the IRS.

Enrollment

Newly eligible employees may enroll online through myHR within 31 days of hire. An individual may change his FSA contributions within 31 days of a qualifying change in family status. During Open Enrollment, an individual must re-enroll through myHR to continue participation in the FSA the following year.

Create a Inspira Financial account

Activate your FSA with Inspira Financial using your employee ID on your Wildcard, your home zip code, and your Inspira Financial debit card (which is mailed to your home address).

File a claim

For plan year 2025, you can be reimbursed for expenses with service dates from January 1, 2025 through March 15, 2026. The date you pay for an item or service is irrelevant. You may file a claim directly to Inspira Financial using Express Claims.

The IRS sets the rules for eligible expenses and required documentation; so they are outside of Northwestern’s governance. For help with acceptable documentation, please contact Inspira Financial at (800) 284-4885 (employer ID: 100398) with questions.

Documentation Requirements
Best	Explanation of Benefits It is mailed to you by insurance company; or Download on insurance company website.
Accepted	Receipt that includes ALL the following: Name of provider/facility Your name or dependent's name Date of service Final amount you owe
Unaccepted	Canceled checks Statements only showing previous balance Receipt without requirements above Bank statements

Documentation Requirements

Best

Explanation of Benefits

It is mailed to you by insurance company; or
Download on insurance company website.

Accepted

Receipt that includes ALL the following:

Name of provider/facility
Your name or dependent's name
Date of service
Final amount you owe

Unaccepted

Canceled checks

Statements only showing previous balance
Receipt without requirements above
Bank statements

All eligible funds for plan year 2025, for claims incurred on or before 3/15/2026, must be claimed by March 31, 2026 otherwise they will be forfeited. If an individual retires or ceases participation in the plan, dates of service must be prior to the active participation end date. Under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) regulations, any monies not claimed from the FSA as of March 31, 2026 are forfeited.

COBRA

You may only submit claims for expenses incurred through the last day of the month of your last day worked. If you elect to continue the FSA under COBRA, contributions are made on an after-tax basis and must be the same monthly amount made during active employment.