Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) help you save money by allowing you to deduct tax-free dollars from your pay to cover certain health and dependent care expenses you incur during the year.

Your payroll deductions are added to your WEX account, where you can also view a list of eligible expenses for all pretax spending accounts.

Go to WEX to access your spending account

New Users: To register, enter your [JHED ID]@johnshopkins.edu in the field for Employee ID. Your username and email for registration is [JHED ID]@johnshopkins.edu.

We offer a Health Care Flexible Spending Account, a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, a Health Savings Account, and a Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account. All are administered by WEX. You may participate in one or multiple plans depending on which health plan you choose; you decide how much you wish to contribute up to the maximum allowed amount. You must enroll each year during annual enrollment to renew your participation in these accounts. You can only make changes at annual enrollment or when you experience a qualifying life event.

Comparing Flexible Spending and Savings Accounts

	Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)	Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA)	Health Savings Account (HSA)	Limited Purpose FSA
Who is eligible?	Faculty Staff Bargaining Unit Salaried Postdocs and residents (housestaff)	Faculty Staff Bargaining Unit Salaried Postdocs and residents (housestaff)	Faculty Staff	Faculty Staff
Medical plan it pairs with:	CareFirst Core PPO CareFirst Enhanced PPO CareFirst EPO (LiUNA BU) Kaiser HMO Wellfleet (students) Waived JHU coverage	CareFirst Core PPO CareFirst Enhanced PPO CareFirst EPO (LiUNA BU) CareFirst HDHP Kaiser HMO Wellfleet (students) Waived JHU Coverage	CareFirst HDHP	CareFirst HDHP
Use it to pay for:	Eligible health care expenses (medical, dental, or vision)	Eligible dependent care expenses (i.e. day care, before and after-school care)	Eligible health care expenses (medical, dental, or vision)	Eligible dental and vision expenses only
Who contributes?	You	You	You (If you earn $60,000 or less, then JHU also contributes)	You
Annual contribution limits for 2025:	$3,300	$5,000 (Combined with Child Care Voucher and Backup Care imputed income)	$4,300 per individual $8,550 per family (Including JHU’s contribution)	$3,300
Balance roll over from 2024 to 2025:	At least $30 up to a maximum of $640 of unused funds; remainder is forfeited	No	Yes	At least $30 up to a maximum of $640 of unused funds; remainder is forfeited
Balance roll over from 2025 to 2026:	At least $30 up to a maximum of $660 of unused funds; remainder is forfeited	No	Yes	At least $30 up to a maximum of $660 of unused funds; remainder is forfeited
When can I change my contribution?	Only during annual enrollment or with a qualifying life event	Anytime your child care needs change	Anytime	Only during annual enrollment or with a qualifying life event

Eligibility

You are eligible to enroll in the FSA plans as long as you are a full-time faculty or staff member. You may also cover your eligible dependents, as defined under federal tax law.

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Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

If you enroll in the Core PPO Plan or the Enhanced PPO Plan, you can participate in the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for qualifying health care expenses with pretax dollars. You can use the Health Care FSA for qualified health care expenses, such as copays and coinsurance, contact lenses, prescriptions, and over-the-counter medications.

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Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA)

The Dependent Care FSA reimburses you for qualified dependent care expenses such as day care that enable you, and your spouse (if you are married), to work or attend school full time.

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Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

If you are enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) along with the Health Savings Account (HSA), you may participate in a Limited Purpose Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to pay for dental and vision care with pretax dollars.

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Health Savings Account (HSA)

A Health Saving Account (HSA) is a tax-favored savings account created for the purpose of paying health care expenses. You must be enrolled in the High Deductible Health Plan in order to open and contribute to the account. Unlike the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), the HSA funds belong to you and roll over from year to year, so you can choose to use them for eligible expenses now — or save them for later. You can start, stop, or adjust your HSA contributions at any time during the year.

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Options for Reimbursement

You manage your FSA expenses via WEX and you have several options for reimbursement.

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IRS Regulations

Certain IRS rules apply to flexible spending accounts. FSA plans are designed as “use it or lose it” benefits, so be sure to carefully estimate expenses for you and your eligible dependents, and be aware of filing deadlines and carryover limits.

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