Cafeteria Plan (Flex Spending Account)

What is it?

The cafeteria plan allows you to set aside money to assist with Qualifying medical, dental, or vision expenses and/or dependent daycare/elder care costs on a pre-tax basis, thus saving in you money. Enrollment is voluntary and you can choose the plan that works for you. Cafeteria/Flex spending plans are subject to IRS guidelines regarding participation and maximums.

Medical/dental/vision services are enrolled as pre-tax benefits, if you wish to have deductions paid post-tax. You must also elect through the Cafeteria plan to opt-out of pre-tax deductions yearly during open enrollment.

New employees and Qualifying event changes have 31 days to enroll/change elections from the date of Hire/Qualifying event date. Annual enrollment is required yearly during open enrollment (November 1st- December 1st ) online enrollment procedures.

Cost and coverage

Medical expenses

To participate complete enrollment within 31 days of new hire/qualifying event date or annually during open enrollment. Estimate the amount of money you want redirected from your salary to your cafeteria plan account for known qualified Medical/dental/vision related expenses.  Keep in mind medical plan deductibles, out of pocket maximums and prescription drug coverage when estimating future expenses. Flexible spending/Cafeteria plan funds are “use it or lose it”, if you over-estimate the amount you need, the state of Missouri will keep the funds left in your account at the end of the year.

Dependent care costs

To participate complete enrollment within 31 days of new hire/qualifying event date or annually during open enrollment. Estimate the amount of money you want redirected from your salary to your cafeteria plan account for known qualified dependent or elder care related expenses .  Flexible spending/Cafeteria plan funds are “use it or lose it”, if you over-estimate the amount you need, the state of Missouri will keep the funds left in your account at the end of the year. Consult a tax professional if you have additional questions about claiming dependent cost during tax filing and/or participating in the cafeteria option.

*Part time employees are eligible to participate in the dependent care cafeteria plan.

Post Tax deductions

To opt-out of medical, dental, vision premiums being deducted from your paycheck pre-tax, you must annually opt-out through AsiFlex during open enrollment.

How to use benefit

Employees should consider enrolling if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Anticipate incurring qualified Medical, dental, vision expenses
  • Subject to IRS guidelines and maximums
• Elect Missouri State University medical, dental, or vision insurance for self or family member(s) and insurance premiums are deducted on a pre-tax basis (post tax requires employee action to "opt -out")
• Have Eligible dependent care expenses.
  • Part-time employees can only enroll in dependent care FSA.

New employees and Qualifying event changes have 31 days to enroll/change elections from the date of Hire/Qualifying event date. Annual enrollment is required yearly during open enrollment (November 1st - December 1st) online enrollment procedures.

Filing a claim

A claim form for qualifying expenses must be submitted to the Missouri Cafeteria Plan for reimbursement. 

Making changes

Qualified insurance premiums are automatically considered through the cafeteria plan. If you do not want to participate, you must complete the ASI Flex "opt-out" each year during open enrollment to move you to a post-tax option.

Participation in the Cafeteria/ Flexible spending plan ends each calendar year, and thus, continuation of plan participation requires enrollment each year during open enrollment ( online enrollment procedures). Changes can be made to the plan with 31 days of a qualified plan event, complete the change form.

Forms and publications

Forms

• Cafeteria enrollment forms
• Cafeteria plan claim form
• Debit Card Order Form

Publications

• Cafeteria plan and enrollment guide
• 2024 Enrollment presentation
• 2025 Enrollment Guide
• FSA grace period
• FSA eligible expense worksheet
• Dependent care recurring direct pay

Policy

• G7.02-6.1.6 Cafeteria Plan