Spending Accounts

When you enroll in medical coverage through either Anthem or Kaiser, you automatically receive a Health Account funded by PG&E to help cover your medical expenses. For more information about how the Health Account works, see the Health Account Plan and Health Account section.

In addition to the Health Account, you can also enroll in a tax-advantaged Health Care or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and set aside additional funds toward necessary expenses – even if you’ve waived PG&E’s medical coverage. The Health Care and Dependent Care FSAs are completely separate accounts. You can sign up for either or both, but you can’t transfer funds from one account to the other. See the Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) section below for additional details.

If you want to participate in the FSA, you must enroll during Open Enrollment in November. Log in to your myPlans Connect account or call the PG&E Benefits Service Center at 1-866-271-8144 Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5 p.m. Pacific time for more information.

Why contribute the maximum?
Do your children need braces? Do you need Lasik surgery or dental implants? If you know you’ll have a lot of health expenses, it makes sense to save on taxes by contributing to the FSA. Log in to your myPlans Connect account and click Estimate Medical Plan Costs under Tools to help you decide how much to contribute to the FSA and see potential tax savings.

Health Care and Dependent Care FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT (FSA)

There are two different Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). You can elect one or both during Open Enrollment.

You fund the accounts with your own money. Your contributions are deducted from your pay before taxes are calculated – reducing your taxable income and saving you money.

Health Care FSA

This account is for eligible health care expenses — medical, dental, vision, mental health and substance abuse expenses the IRS considers eligible for reimbursement.

You can use the account for yourself — and for your dependents’ health care expenses — even if they’re not enrolled in your plan.

You can’t use this account for dependent day care expenses. It’s only for eligible health care expenses.

Note: You cannot use your Health Care FSA to pay for health care coverage or gym memberships or for most cosmetic procedures.

Health Care FSA Contribution Rules

You can set aside up to $2,850 of your before-tax pay for 2023.

The Health Care FSA has a "use it or lose it" rule. However, you can carry over unused balances up to $570 to the next year as long as you're eligible to participate in the Health Care FSA as of January 1 of the next year.

You forfeit unused amounts over $570 at the end of the plan year (for example, if you have an unused balance of $571, you can carry over $570 and you’ll forfeit $1).

You can be reimbursed even before you have money in your Health Care FSA to cover your claim, up to the annual amount you elected to contribute.

Example

You elect to contribute $1,200 for the year. You incur $1,000 in expenses in early February — but you’ve only contributed $200 to your account so far. You can be reimbursed for the full $1,000 right away.

How the Health Care FSA Works

To help you avoid forfeiting unused FSA dollars at the end of the year, your Health Care FSA will always pay claims first, before your Health Account pays claims. Then, when your Health Care FSA is used up, your Health Account will pay claims. No reimbursements will come out of your Health Account until your Health Care FSA is used up, and it’s all handled by your accounts’ administrator.

Your FSA administrator depends on your medical coverage:

  • If you're enrolled in the Anthem HAP–Optum Financial administers your FSA.
  • If you're enrolled in the Kaiser HAP–Kaiser Permanente administers your FSA.
  • If you waive medical coverage but you elect an FSA–Optum Financial administers your FSA.

Estimate carefully

If you have a Health Account, you can use it to help pay eligible health expenses, too. Your unused Health Account balance rolls over year after year but you can only carry over up to $570 in your Health Care FSA. You forfeit the rest. Log on to your myPlans Connect account and click Estimate Medical Plan Costs under Tools to help you decide how much to contribute to the FSA and see potential tax savings.

Dependent Care FSA

This account is for eligible dependent care services for your dependent family members so you can work.

The IRS allows you to use the account for child* and elder care while you work — such as day care or adult care, babysitters, at-home caregivers, preschool, before- or after-school programs and summer day camp.

You can’t use this account for your dependents’ health care expenses. It’s only for dependent care services that allow you to work.

Dependent Care FSA Contribution Rules

You can contribute up to $5,000 per person or married couple filing a joint tax return — or $2,500 per person for employees with spouses filing separate returns — but your annual contributions can’t exceed your spouse's income.

If your spouse is a full-time student or mentally or physically disabled, he or she is considered to have an annual income of $3,000 if you have one eligible child — or $6,000 if you have more than one eligible child. The contribution rules for married individuals do not apply to employees with registered domestic partners.

How the Dependent Care FSA Works

  • There are no debit cards for the Dependent Care FSA. You use your own money to pay expenses and then file claims for reimbursement.
  • You can be reimbursed only when you have enough money in your Dependent Care FSA to cover your claim.

Estimate carefully

You forfeit unused amounts at the end of the plan year. You can’t carry over unused amounts.

* Remember, the Dependent Care FSA is for child care service reimbursements for dependents generally under age 13, while the adult care reimbursements are for a dependent of any age who is physically or mentally incapable of self-care.

Visit the IRS Website for eligibility details.

For details, visit the IRS website an view IRS Publication 502, Medical and Dental Expenses

  • Anthem members: Click here for a list of eligible Health Care FSA expenses, and click here for a list of Dependent Care FSA expenses.
  • Kaiser members: Click here for a list of eligible Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA expenses.

Be sure to keep your itemized receipts or explanation of benefits (EOBs) for purchases made using your FSA – you’ll need them if you have to verify your claims for the IRS.

For Anthem members or waived coverage employees with a Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

*For details on the transition of HealthEquity | WageWorks to Optum, including claim filing deadlines, click here.

There are three ways to get reimbursed:

Pay Provider Reimburse Myself Manually file claims

Log in to your Optum Financial account and use Pay Provider if you get a bill and you don’t want to use your card.

Pay Provider sends money to your provider for amounts not paid by insurance.

Log in to your Optum Financial account and use Reimburse Myself if you already paid an eligible expense out of your own pocket.

Download the free Optum Financial app for an easy way to use Reimburse Myself.

Use the Health Account and Health Care Flexible Spending Account Claim Form or the Dependent Care Claim Form to file claims with Optum Financial.

Optum Financial automatically debits your Health Care FSA, if you elected it, and then your Health Account.

Don’t have enough in your Health Account or Health Care FSA to cover the charge? You’ll need to pay with your own money.

Watch the Reimbursements with Anthem video to learn more about filing a claim.

Tip: Don’t wait!

Send your explanation of benefits (EOB) to Optum Financial when you get it—even if you paid with your Optum Financial payment card. Sending the EOB right away will help avoid having your payment delayed. If you need help filing a claim or reimbursement, call the PG&E Benefits Service Center at 1-866-271-8144, and select option 1 and then option 1 for Optum Financial.

Optum will send multiple reminders if you need to verify expenses. You’ll have 180 days to verify your expenses. After 180 days, if you haven’t verified expenses and they total more than $150, Optum will suspend your card.

Set up your Optum Financial account
To set up your account, log on to your myPlans Connect account and click on the Access Your Health Account link under the Your Health Insurance box. You’ll be able to go straight to your Optum Financial account without creating a username and password.

Alternatively, you can log into OptumFinancial.com or use the Optum Financial mobile app. Optum Financial won’t know who you are—so you’ll need to register your account the first time you visit Optum Financial outside of myPlans Connect. When accessing your account for the first time, you’ll need to create a HealthSafe ID® username and password. HealthSafe ID adds an extra layer of security to your account by using two-factor authentication.

For Kaiser members

File claims with kp.org through June 30, 2023, for 2021 FSA expenses incurred through December 31, 2022. Log into your medical account at kp.org and select My coverage & costs and to file a claim.

If you have questions about the FSA accounts, contact your Health Account and Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claims administrator.

Watch the Reimbursements with Kaiser video to learn more about filing a claim.

FOR ANTHEM MEMBERS AND WAIVED COVERAGE

Track your Health Account balance

Log in to your Optum Financial account through your myPlans Connect account.

Ways to get reimbursed

If you elected the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), the money in your FSA will be used first to reimburse you for any out-of-pocket health care expenses—since the FSA has a "use-it or lose-it" rule. Optum Financial administers your FSA and will automatically debit your FSA first to pay for any out-of-pocket medical expenses. If you don’t have enough in your FSA to cover the expenses, Optum Financial will then debit your Health Account. Once you receive your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from Anthem, Delta Dental or VSP, you can use your Optum Financial payment card to pay your health care provider the amount you owe him or her, as long as you have enough in your Health Account or Health Care FSA. You should always save your receipts and EOBs for IRS purposes.

There are three things you need to know about getting reimbursed through Optum Financial

  • Claims filing deadline
  • When you can use the Optum Financial payment card
  • Deadline for verifying expenses if you use the Optum Financial payment card
Getting reimbursed Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Health Account
What's the latest you can file a claim? June 30 for expenses incurred through December 31 of the prior year No deadline for active participants
Can you use your Optum Financial payment card? Yes for current-year expenses
No for prior-year expenses
Yes for current-year expenses
No for prior-year expenses
If Optum Financial requests more information—what's the latest you can verify your expense? June 30 for expenses incurred through December 31 of the prior year 180 days*

*Optum will send multiple reminders if you need to verify expenses. You’ll have 180 days to verify your expenses. After 180 days, if you haven’t verified expenses and they total more than $150, Optum will suspend your card.

There are three ways to get reimbursed:

Pay Provider Reimburse Myself Manually file claims

Log in to your Optum Financial account and use Pay Provider if you get a bill and you don’t want to use your card.

Pay Provider sends money to your provider for amounts not paid by insurance.

Log in to your Optum Financial account and use Reimburse Myself if you already paid an eligible expense out of your own pocket.

Download the free Optum Financial app for an easy way to use Reimburse Myself.

Use the Health Account and Health Care Flexible Spending Account Claim Form or the Dependent Care Claim Form to file claims with Optum Financial.

Optum Financial automatically debits your Health Care FSA, if you elected it, and then your Health Account.

Don’t have enough in your Health Account or Health Care FSA to cover the charge? You’ll need to pay with your own money.

Watch the Reimbursements with Anthem video to learn more about filing a claim.

Tip: Don’t wait!

Send your explanation of benefits (EOB) to Optum Financial when you get it—even if you paid with your Optum Financial payment card. Sending the EOB right away will help avoid having your payment delayed. If you need help filing a claim or reimbursement, call the PG&E Benefits Service Center at 1-866-271-8144, and select option 1 and then option 1 for Optum Financial.

Optum will send multiple reminders if you need to verify expenses. You’ll have 180 days to verify your expenses. After 180 days, if you haven’t verified expenses and they total more than $150, Optum will suspend your card.

Set up your Optum Financial account
To set up your account, log on to your myPlans Connect and click on the Access Your Health Account link under the Your Health Insurance box. You’ll be able to go straight to your Optum Financial account without creating a username and password.

Alternatively, you can log into OptumFinancial.com or use the Optum Financial mobile app. Optum Financial won’t know who you are—so you’ll need to register your account the first time you visit Optum Financial outside of myPlans Connect. When accessing your account for the first time, you’ll need to create a HealthSafe ID® username and password. HealthSafe ID adds an extra layer of security to your account by using two-factor authentication.

For medical expenses
If you use an in-network provider, you don’t need to file a claim — your doctor will file one with Anthem. Anthem will then pay your doctor the amount covered under the Health Account Plan (HAP) and send you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB). Once you receive your EOB from Anthem, you can use your Optum Financial payment card to pay your doctor the amount you owe him or her, as long as you have enough in your Health Account or Health Care FSA.

If you use an out-of-network provider, you may need to pay your doctor up front and then file a claim with Anthem. Anthem will then pay your doctor amounts it covers under the HAP and send you an EOB. Once you receive your EOB from Anthem, you can use your Optum Financial payment card to pay your doctor the amount you owe him or her, as long as you have enough in your Health Account or Health Care FSA.

You should always save your receipts and EOBs for IRS purposes.

For prescriptions
When you visit the pharmacy, you'll need two cards:

  • Your Express Scripts ID card tells your pharmacy you're eligible for prescription drug benefits
  • Your Optum Financial payment card is loaded with your Health Account credits and — if you elected the Health Care FSA — your annual FSA contribution. However, not all small independent pharmacies have the correct computer system to validate your transaction, in which case you'll need to pay for the prescription using another form of payment

For mental health and preventive substance use disorder expenses
After you receive mental health or substance use disorder care from a Carelon Behavioral Health (formerly Beacon Health Options) provider, you’ll need to wait a few weeks for Carelon to process your claim, determine what you owe, and mail you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) form. Once you receive your EOB, you can use your Optum Financial payment card to pay your health care provider the amount you owe, as long as you have enough in your Health Account or Health Care FSA. You should always save your receipts and EOBs for IRS purposes.

For dental and vision expenses

You can use the Health Account – or your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) if you elected it – to pay for your dental and vision expenses:

You can use your Optum Financial payment card to pay at the time of service, but you may have to submit documentation to Optum Financial such as copies of your receipts or Explanation of Benefits (EOB) forms at a later date. You should always save your receipts and EOBs for IRS purposes.

Deadline for filing Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claims

*For details on the transition of HealthEquity | WageWorks to Optum, including claim filing deadlines, click here.

Set up your Optum Financial account

Set up your Optum Financial account
To set up your account, log on to your myPlans Connect account and click on the Access Your Health Account link under the Your Health Insurance box. You’ll be able to go straight to your Optum Financial account without creating a username and password.

Alternatively, you can log into Optum Financial or use the Optum Financial mobile app. Optum Financial won’t know who you are—so you’ll need to register your account the first time you visit Optum Financial outside of myPlans Connect. When accessing your account for the first time, you’ll need to create a HealthSafe ID® username and password. HealthSafe ID adds an extra layer of security to your account by using two-factor authentication.

After you set up your Optum Financial account, you’ll be able to:

  • Sign up for emails and text messages about your account activity
  • Sign up for direct deposit for reimbursements
  • See alerts and messages – like when you need to submit a receipt or explanation of benefits
  • See all your claims activity
  • View a dashboard, where you can see your account activity, submit a claim, look up an eligible expense or submit a receipt
  • Order extra cards

For more information or assistance with your FSA, contact Optum Financial for at 1-866-271-8144, Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–7 p.m. Pacific time or log on to your myPlans Connect account.

FOR KAISER MEMBERS

The Kaiser Visa Health Payment Card is loaded with your Health Account credits and — if you elected the Health Care FSA—your annual FSA contribution.

Getting reimbursed Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Health Account
What's the latest you can file a claim and verify an expense? June 30 for expenses incurred through December 31 of the prior year No deadline for active participants
Can you use your Kaiser Visa Health Payment card? Yes for current year expenses
No for prior year expenses
Yes for current year expenses
No for prior year expenses
If Kaiser requests information, what’s the latest you can verify your expense? June 30 for expenses incurred through December 31 of the prior year 180 days*
 

* You’ll have up to 180 days to verify expenses. If you haven’t verified your expense after 180 days, Kaiser Permanente will suspend your card.

Track your Health Account balance

Log in to kp.org/healthpayment.

Ways to get reimbursed

Effective January 1, 2023, you can use your Kaiser Permanente Visa Health Payment card outside of the Kaiser Permanente pharmacy. In addition to using your health payment card at the Kaiser pharmacy, you can now also use it at the dentist, eye doctor and for other eligible health expenses and eligible over-the-counter items at big-box retailers.

TIP: If you use your health payment card at a big-box retailer, pay at the pharmacy register.
Pharmacy registers are typically set up to recognize eligible items and will accept the card. Front registers might reject the card.

If you pay for a service or for an eligible health expense using your own money and you need to be reimbursed, there are two ways to file claims for reimbursement from your Health Account or Health Care FSA:

  • By logging on to Kaiser’s website and uploading, faxing, or mailing your supporting documents to Kaiser
  • Through Kaiser’s smartphone app—KP HRA/HSA/FSA Balance Tracker—available through the iPhone/iPad app store and the Google Play Android Store

Be sure to keep a copy of all your receipts before you submit them to Kaiser.

Watch the Reimbursements with Kaiser video to learn more about filing a claim.

You’ll have up to 180 days to verify expenses. If you haven’t verified your expense after 180 days, Kaiser Permanente will suspend your card.

If you elected to participate in the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA), the money in your FSA will be used first to reimburse you for any out-of-pocket health care expenses—since the FSA has a “use it or lose it” rule. Kaiser will automatically debit your FSA first to pay for any out-of-pocket medical expenses, and then will debit your Health Account if you don’t have enough in your FSA to cover the expenses. For additional information, view Kaiser's HRA plan FAQs.

Kaiser will automatically pay your Kaiser provider; you do not have to file any claims or deposit any checks when you get care from Kaiser.

For medical expenses
Kaiser will automatically pay your Kaiser provider; you do not have to file any claims or deposit any checks when you get care from Kaiser.

After you receive care, Kaiser will process your claim, send you an Explanation of Benefits (EOB,) and then automatically debit your Health Account or Health Care FSA to pay any charges you owe for services. If you don’t have enough funds in your account(s), Kaiser will bill you, and you’ll be responsible for paying Kaiser what you owe with your own money.

For prescriptions
Generally, you won't need to file a claim for reimbursement to pay for prescriptions. You may use your Kaiser Visa Health Payment Card at the Kaiser pharmacy. Your prescription will be paid for with your Health Account credits and — if you elected the Health Care FSA — your annual FSA contribution.

For mental health and preventive substance use disorder expenses
As a Kaiser member, you’ll need to file a claim when you use Carelon Behavioral Health (formerly Beacon Health Options) for inpatient substance use disorder or for autism treatment. If you have enough in your Health Account or Health Care FSA to cover what you owe, you’ll be reimbursed. Otherwise, you’re responsible for paying your provider amounts you owe.

For dental and vision expenses

Effective January 1, 2023, you may use your Kaiser Visa Health Payment card when you check in for a visit at the dentist or eye doctor, or when you get a bill.

For health care services outside of Kaiser Permanente facilities, such as dental visits, you’ll need to provide an Explanation of Benefits (EOB), bill or itemized receipt to validate your health care expenses.

Kaiser Permanente will send reminders if you need to verify your expenses. You’ll need to log in to your account at kp.org/healthexpense and click File a Claim. Then follow the required steps. To verify your expenses were eligible, you’ll need to provide an Explanation of Benefits (EOB), bill or itemized receipt.

You’ll have up to 180 days to verify expenses. If you haven’t verified your expense after 180 days, Kaiser Permanente will suspend your card.

If you pay for a dental or vision expense using your own money, you may file a claim for reimbursement or to pay your provider directly:

  • Log in to kp.org with your Kaiser Permanente username and password
  • Click on My Coverage and Costs
  • Under Health payment accounts, click on View accounts
  • Click on Reimburse Myself or Send Payment

You’ll need to upload your itemized receipt or EOB and enter the date of service, amount of service, provider’s name, patient’s name and service provided in order to verify your expense.

Visit the BeneTV page to watch a short video about how to get reimbursed.

You may also file claims through Kaiser’s smartphone app—KP HRA/HSA/FSA Balance Tracker—available through the iTunes app store and the Google Play Android store.

You’ll need to enter the date of service, amount of service, provider’s name, patient’s name and service provided in order to verify your expense.

Deadline for filing Flexible Spending Account (FSA) claims

File claims with kp.org through June 30, 2023, for 2022 FSA expenses incurred through December 31, 2022. Log into your medical account at kp.org and select My coverage & costs and to file a claim.

For more information or assistance with your FSA, contact Kaiser Permanente at 1-877-750-3399 Monday–Friday, 5 a.m.–7 p.m. Pacific time.