New Eligibility For Medical Flex & HRA Plans Due to Defense of Marriage Act Ruling

On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and this has created some changes in the administration of our Section 125 Cafeteria Flex Plan (medical flex spending) and Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) plan. 

Although the IRS has not yet issued guidelines on how to administer these changes, Kabel Business Services, the administrator of our medical flex spending and HRA plans, has made a decision to follow the guidelines of a memo issued by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. 

All legal same-sex marriages that predate the Supreme Court decision (June 26, 2013) will now be treated as new marriages. Flex plan participants will have 60 days from the date of the decision (until August 26, 2013) to make changes in their enrollment. This means that participants in same sex marriages may change their current medical flex plan election or may now enroll in a flex plan for the first time, if they wish to do so. This change will not affect domestic partnerships. 

If you are in a same-sex marriage and have money in an HRA, you may now submit your spouse’s out-of-pocket medical, dental and vision expenses for reimbursement under your HRA as well. Eligible employees who would like to make a change to their medical flex spending plan should contact Kathy Martin, Benefits Specialist, to complete a Change of Election form before August 26, 2013. 

If you have any questions contact Kathy Martin at kmartin@aea11.k12.ia.us or ext. 14385 or Kabel Business Services at (515) 224-9400.