Penn Faculty Benefits News: February 11, 2016

Form 1095-Cs to Arrive in March

This tax season, most Penn faculty and staff members will receive a new IRS document called Form 1095-C. Required by the Affordable Care Act, Form 1095-C includes information about the health insurance coverage offered to you by Penn.

Where is my form 1095-C?
You’ve already received your W-2 form, so you may be wondering when you’ll get your 1095-C and why you don’t have it yet.

Even though in future years Penn will be sending your 1095-C by January 31, this year the IRS gave employers such as the University additional time to send these forms out because it is the first time we are required to do this.

When will I get my form?
Penn will mail your 1095-C form to you by March 31.

Do I need a 1095-C form to file my taxes?
No, you do not need the 1095 form to file your taxes. There will be questions on your tax form asking if you had health insurance coverage each month in 2015. You can answer based on your own knowledge or look at your records such as wage statements showing health insurance deductions, insurance cards, or explanation of benefits statements.

For your 2015 return, you will not have to send in a copy of your 1095-C to the IRS,  However, you should store it with the rest of your important tax information, like W-2s and interest statements, when you do receive it.

For detailed information and updates about Form 1095-C, visit www.irs.gov/form1095c and the IRS Questions and Answers about Health Care Information Forms for Individuals web page.

To view your W-2 form, visit the Penn Portal at www.upenn.edu/u@penn and click “My Tax Info” in the My Pay section of the site.

Everyone’s family structure and income situation is different, so ask your tax preparer or advisor if you have specific questions while filing your taxes.

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Flexible Spending Account (FSA) System Upgrade by ADP

Penn’s provider of Flexible Spending Account services, ADP is upgrading its systems for improved functionality. Penn’s Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) website will relaunch on March 17, 2016. Please read below to understand the impact for you due to this change, including detailed information regarding the required blackout period (March 8th through March 16th), receiving your new FSA debit card (and when your current debit card will cease to be active) and ability to file claims.

Important Information and Action Items

Blackout Period: In order to complete the upgrade, there will be a blackout period from March 8 through March 16 during which all of your health care and dependent care account activity will be suspended, including the use of your debit card. Your current FSA debit card will not work after the blackout period, but you will receive a replacement.

Beginning March 17, you will be able to access the new website and all of your account information through www.pennbenefits.upenn.edu. You may submit online claims via the website while your new debit card is on its way. As is currently the case, you will not be be required to use the debit card; you can continue to submit claims using the online system or via a paper claim form.

A New ADP Spending Account Debit Card: Once ADP, Penn’s FSA provider, has validated your data in the new system, you will receive your new debit card 7 – 10 days after the end of the blackout period. Your card will arrive in a plain, unmarked envelope, so please watch your mail carefully.

Debit Cards for additional family members: A new card will be automatically issued for the participant only. If you need to request additional cards for your qualified dependents, you may go to the website and select “Request Duplicate Card” from the left menu.

Direct Deposit: If you currently use direct deposit for any of your spending account reimbursements, your information will transfer to the new website. If you have changes to your direct deposit information, you’ll need to make the updates on the new website by selecting “Direct Deposit” from the left menu. We urge you to take time to verify this information is still correct.

Reimbursement Checks: If you receive paper reimbursement checks for any of your spending account expenses, you’ll receive a different style of check after your upgrade.

The New Website

With the enhanced website, FSA participants will also get improved email notifications and easy-to-read enhanced account statements.

New website features include:

• User-friendly appearance and easy navigation
• Account summary and account balance at your fingertips
• Online claims processing
• Claim status alerts and notifications with important information about your account
• Detailed, easy-to-understand information about every claim and every reimbursement
• The ability to quickly search for all current and past claims, payments and contributions
• Access to all communications and forms

 

Customer Assistance: If you have any questions about your account or need additional assistance, please contact the Penn Benefits Center at 1-888-PENNBEN (1-888-736-6236). Representatives are available to assist you Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Eastern Time, excluding holidays.

FSA participants will receive additional information via email or letter from ADP with details about the web service enhancements, including full instructions for account access and claims during the upgrade period.

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Care.com Services Expanded

Your home life doesn’t stop just because you’re at work. That’s why Penn offers benefits-eligible faculty and staff backup care through Care.com to help you care for loved ones when you can’t be there yourself.

Penn’s services provided through Care.com have been expanded, giving you more ways to take care of your family and even your home.

In addition to backup care, benefits-eligible faculty and staff now have access to Care.com’s complete network of providers, from nannies and home health aides to housekeepers. You can also call on Care.com to consult with qualified professionals about senior care or get help locating other care advisors and providers.

Penn’s expanded services through Care.com include:

Backup Care for Yourself

At times, you may need temporary home care for yourself. This service is now available for Penn faculty and staff. Simply visit penn.care.com to enroll, then click on “My adult loved ones” for details.

Access to Care Nationwide

Do your loved ones live in other parts of the country? Go online to connect to Care.com’s wide network of care providers for these services across the United States:

• For Children: Babysitters, nannies, au pairs, special needs caregivers, tutors
• For Adults and Seniors: Senior caregivers, home health aides, special needs caregivers
• For Home: Housekeepers and providers for errands, housesitting, and more

Whether you need ongoing help, occasional assistance, or one-time backup care, these web services can save you the time and stress of finding help on your own.  Select a provider with confidence, knowing that Care.com pre-vets its members and gives you access to detailed profiles, reviews, and ratings.

Senior Care Managers

Consult with a Licensed Geriatric Social Worker to help you navigate the questions and concerns that arise when you’re considering care for an older loved one, such as:

• How do we talk about what needs to happen?
• How do we get all our family members on the same page and come up with a plan?
• How do we manage health, legal, and financial issues?
• How do we find—and pay for—the necessary resources?

Assistance with Finding Help

Work with Care.com staff to find advisors, care providers, and other services to help you handle the challenges of caregiving. Connect to resources that can assist you with issues such as managing work and personal responsibilities, addressing legal and financial issues, and more. Assistance is available in any of the areas of care offered by Care.com.

Enroll at penn.care.com to access Care.com services. If you registered with Care.com before January, 2016, please register again to ensure that your record is up-to-date. To consult with senior care managers, you may also call toll-free (855) 781-1303.

Enrollment is free for benefits eligible faculty and staff. Care.com backup care is subsidized by the University. Backup care co-pays will be charged on a sliding scale at the time of service. Visit www.hr.upenn.edu/myhr/worklife/family/backupcare for eligibility and service cost details.

If you have questions about any of these services, email qowl@upenn.edu.