Flexible Spending Account

The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program is available to eligible MaPS who are participating in the flexible benefits program. FSAs enhance the value of your benefit plan by providing greater flexibility for you to manage your health related expenses.

As a new hire or during re-enrolment, MaPS are provided with Flex Credits and have the opportunity to choose Flex Options. You will use your Flex Credits to pay the applicable price tags for the Health and Dental options you elect. 

If you have excess Flex Credits remaining after you have made your Health and Dental choices, you can allocate these to a Flexible Spending Account. There are two types of FSAs - a non-taxable Health Spending Account (HSA) and a taxable Wellness Spending Account (WSA) - and you can allocate excess credits to either account or a portion to both. If you do not allocate your excess credits, they will automatically default to the HSA. 

You may claim eligible expenses from the account where you have allocated credits throughout the benefit year. The value of your account depends on your Flex Option choices.

Once you have chosen your Health and Dental Options during initial enrolment or re-enrolment, any excess Flex Credits available must be allocated to a HSA or WSA. Flex option choices and credit allocations are locked in for the duration of the two-year period but your HSA or WSA credits are refreshed each Jan. 1. The only exception to this is when an employee experiences a qualified Life Event that impacts credits.

The Spending Accounts operate on a credit carry forward basis. Unused Flex Credits may be carried forward for one year after the year in which the credits are allocated. At the end of the second year, unused credits are forfeited. For example, FSA credits deposited on Jan. 1, 2023 and not used by Dec. 31, 2024, will be forfeited. Claims must be submitted in the year they are incurred.

If the Health and Dental options selected cost more than your Flex Credits, you will be responsible to pay the difference through regular payroll deductions and will not have a FSA.

FSA Benefit Year

January 1 – December 31

Claim Forms

You may submit claims electronically through your Alberta Blue Cross account, or using these forms.

• Health Spending Account Claim Form
• Wellness Spending Account Claim Form

WSA claims are a taxable benefit that must be reported on your income tax return. For more information see the FAQ. 

WSA claims are reported monthly and appropriate tax deductions will be applied to your pay as claims are reported. As a taxable benefit WSA claims are subject to CPP, EI and income tax in the period that it is reported. The taxed amount will have a direct impact on your net pay.