An Important Message for NC Health Benefit Representatives
May 2020
NCFlex will be holding a webex next week for HBRs to discuss the below changes - be on the lookout for an email tomorrow with registration for the webex. We will send a Member Alert with these changes following the HBR webex next week.
IRS Changes - Extension of Certain Time Frames

At the end of April, new rules were put in place by the Federal government regarding certain time frames and extending those time frames due to COVID-19. In short, for certain time frames, the outbreak period from March 1 until 60 days after the announced end of the national emergency (TBD) must be disregarded. You can read more about these extensions in detail  HERE .

What this means for NCFlex:
  • If you have a new hire or employee with a QLE that occurred on or after March 1, missed their enrollment window, and you feel should have had more time to enroll, please submit an exception for NCFlex to consider allowing their changes past the 30 days. Please be specific in what changes they are requesting.
  • The time for COBRA members to enroll and make payments will be extended, however, once enrolled, all premiums will still be owed retro back to the start date of their coverage. This COVID-19 COBRA letter has additional details.
  • Employees will have additional time to file claims on NCFlex plans that normally have time restrictions on filing.
  • The runout for submission of 2019 claims for HCFSA and DDCFSA will extend 60 days beyond the breakout period. 

IRS Changes - NCFlex FSA plans

On May 12, the IRS issued two notices, Notice 2020-29  and  Notice 2020-33  that affect Cafeteria Plan elections and Flexible Spending Accounts in response to the impact of COVID-19.

The following changes have been adopted by NCFlex and can only be made on a prospective (go forward) basis :
  • Employees may choose to start, increase, decrease, or cancel their Health Care and/or Dependent Day Care elections for 2020 with no QLE.
  • This must be requested via an exception by the HBR on behalf of the employee.
  • If a reduction or cancellation is requested, the account can only be dropped down to the amount the employee has been reimbursed and/or contributed to the plan.
  • If an FSA account is increased or added, funds will be allowed to be used for expenses retro back to January 1, 2020.
  • Only one change (for each plan) for the 2020 plan year allowed due to COVID-19.
  • Employees with 2019 DDCFSA accounts - the March 15 grace period to use these funds will be extended through December 31, 2020.
  • The Health Care FSA Carry Forward account (also called the Roll Over) will be increased to $550 for the 2021 plan year.
  • The Health Care FSA contribution amount for 2021 will be increased to $2,800. 

Dental and Vision also effected by these notices:
  • Employees may choose to change dental and/or vision tiers (such as Employee Only to Employee plus Family or vice versa).
  • This change must be requested via an exception if not related to an existing QLE.
Reminder - Next Training for New HBRs in June

Those who are new to NCFlex or would like a refresher can register for quarterly training on the    HBR portion   of our website. The next trainings are scheduled for June and are done via webex.  This training covers the benefits in detail as well as the Admin manual for HBRs.
DDCFSA Discrimination Testing on Hold

The NCFlex Dependent Day Care FSA is subject to discrimination testing each year which typically happens in May and HBRs are notified in June. However, the testing does not have to be performed until the end of the plan year. P&A Group has decided to pause necessary discrimination testing due to the COVID-19 outbreak and all of the changes currently happening with FSA accounts.

We will let you know at a later point when to expect the testing.
EyeMed New Microsite launching in June

For participants in the NCFlex vision plan, the EyeMed microsite is where someone can view their benefits, claims, the "Know Before You Go" tool, and other important information about their vision benefits. The microsite is accessed either through www.eyemedvisioncare.com/ncflex or by clicking on "EyeMed" under "Quick Links" in eBenefits.

This microsite will be changing it's look starting June 1 to be more user friendly. Take a look at the EyeMed Web Flyer for more information.
Updated HBR Contact for The Standard

Please note that in the HBR Admin Manual currently located in the HBR portion of the NCFlex website, the contact for The Standard (vendor for the NCFlex disability plan) has been updated from Leslie Huffman to Mark Trovato on page 11. The best way to contact The Standard still remains [email protected] , however, Mark is available by phone also if needed.
Ordering Benefits Summaries and Disability Booklets

On the HBR portion of the NCFlex website, you can now order the newer version of the Disability Booklet and the 2020 Benefits Summary for your employees. These materials are used by non-university HBRs, as the universities have different benefits than mentioned in these materials.

Please note that the link to order the Benefits Summary and Disability Booklet is different than the link to order the guides. Also, the password is noted under the link to order.

When placing an order you will need to enter a physical address, therefore if someone will not be in the office to receive your order, you may want to wait until there is someone available to receive the package.
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