Have you guys called them yet? I called Health Equity, set up my account, downloaded the app, and understand how the program works. While I can't say their rollout (I only got my card a few days ago) was any good (it sucked), being pro-active and affecting your own rescue helps too.

It's easy to get reimbursed and you should have received (in my case) your 1/24th of $4200 plus your own contribution on the 15th paycheck.

You also have to order additional cards for your spouse or other family members if you want them.

I'm on the purple with an HSA, FYI.

 

I called. I wanted to order another Debit card since mine has not arrived, and I wanted to add my wife as "Authorized Account User." I had installed and set up the smartphone (Android) app, but I had not logged on to the website.

I was told my card had been mailed December 22, 2016. (The app also indicated the same.) Due to holiday delays with mail, they were not willing to send me another card just yet.

After answering 3 questions that came from a huge database of public records (including where I lived 40 years ago), I was allowed to add my wife and order her a new card. We'll see how that goes. I was advised to go back through my old mail when I get home and look for my original card in something that resembles junk mail. Hmmm.


Oh, and while I'm here typing, I've discovered another upside to the Buy-Up plan and an advantage of the HCFSA over the HSA and HRA. Every penny of what I designated for the FCFSA was available on January 1st, and I can use it all now. Unlike the HSA and HRA, it is not a prorated amount deposited in 12 or 24 installments throughout the year. I didn't notice that difference back when we were making our choices.






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I have both a HRA and the FCFSA. We will know in about 11 months which way was the smart way. I'll use the FCFSA up front and save the HRA for later if I have too. I just talked to the Health Equity people it took to attempts to get anyone who knew what an HRA was, but the finally answered all of my questions. Once you log in to the account getting another card for my dependent daughter wasn't hard.

 

keep in mind that if you have an HRA (or HSA) the FCFSA is limited to dental and vision only.

 

Which (with Tricare as secondary) is the majority of my out of pocket medical expenses for the last 15 years or so.

 

I also got the $300 for the health assessment.

 

I don't believe that's right. If one has an HRA (typically because they have Tricare while on purple or orange plans) then their FSA is called a full purpose FSA. A full purpose FSA can be used just like the FSA rules last year, or just like this year's FSA with the buy-up plan: Rx, co-pays, dental, vision, etc.

If you have an HSA while on purple or orange plans, that FSA is a limited purpose FSA. Limited purpose FSAs are for dental and vision in general. The Health Equity website has some detailed info on this.

 

My debit cards showed to day. Website said they were mailed 22dec. Someone's lying.

I did get two though, without asking.

 

You are correct RAPTOR,
Limited only in an HSA alone.

Makes me wonder why the limitation on an HSA? Both funded similarly.

Biggest differences that come to mind are that I can defer some bucks myself into an HSA and Invest it. Versus no extra $$ into an HRA and the companies notional return on an HRA.