If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), be aware of the deadlines to incur and submit eligible expenses. To be reimbursed from your 2025 Health Care FSA, you must incur eligible expenses by December 31, 2025. Then, submit and substantiate your expenses by March 31, 2026.
An FSA allows you to be reimbursed for certain out-of-pocket expenses with tax-free dollars. Since these are spending accounts, the money should be spent. Eligible expenses include:
- Medical (post-deductible only if you are also in the HDHP and HSA)
- Dental
- Vision
- Dependent Day Care
How to Pay for Eligible Expenses
In 2025, for the Healthcare FSA, you can use your payment card from the FSA administrator (Optum) at the point of sale or service. You can also pay for your eligible expenses with a personal credit card, a debit card, cash, or check and submit your eligible expenses for reimbursement through Optum’s mobile app or website.
How to Submit Eligible Expenses for Reimbursement
The most efficient way to submit your eligible expenses for reimbursement is electronically by using the Optum mobile app or Optum website.
Remember to include the required IRS supporting documentation with your submission. Optum will contact you directly for additional information, if necessary. Failure to provide documentation may require repayment through payroll on an after-tax basis. Substantiate your claims by December 31, 2025 to avoid the repayment process. The repayment process applies to the Healthcare FSAs only; it does not apply to the Dependent Day Care Account.
Carryover Reminders
Up to $660 of unused funds in a Health Care FSA are eligible for carry over from 2025 to 2026.
- Unused funds greater than $660 will be forfeited.
- Unused funds less than $50 will also be forfeited if you did not re-enroll for 2026 during Benefits Open Enrollment (which ended on October 31, 2025).
If eligible, your Health Care FSA carryover funds will automatically transfer from Optum (2025 administrator) to TASC (2026 administrator) around April 15, 2026.
The IRS does not allow carryover for the Dependent Day Care Account.
Questions
For questions about your 2025 claims, eligible expenses, or your payment card, contact Optum at (833) 881-8158.
Transition from Optum to TASC Reminder
The administrator is transitioning from Optum to TASC starting January 1, 2026.
- FSA claims incurred January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 must be submitted to Optum (even if 2025 claims are being submitted/substantiated January 1 – March 31, 2026).
- FSA claims incurred on/after January 1, 2026 must be submitted to TASC.
For more information, review the 2026 Vendor Change: FSA, HSA, Parking & Transit Accounts web page.
Source: Universities of Wisconsin Office of Human Resources