Flex Debit Card - Improved for 2008!

Download a PDF version of this information here.
See a current list of merchants participating in IIAS here.

The Flex Debit Card is a MasterCard® debit card that you can use to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses at qualified locations where MasterCard® is accepted. Approved expenses are automatically debited from your Medical or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, without the necessity of filing claims prior to reimbursement.

Recent changes in IRS guidelines and card technology make the Debit Card even easier to use. While the IRS still requires every Debit Card charge to be adjudicated, new inventory-based adjudication systems ("IIAS") at over 70 retail chains provide additional auto-adjudication opportunities and reduce the need for confirming documentation.

When you swipe your Debit Card at a participating merchant, the system automatically validates eligible items purchased at the point of sale, and requires an alternate method of payment for ineligible items purchased at the same time. Consequently, you do not need to submit further documentation to ProBenefits for these transactions, making the Debit Card even more convenient and easy to use. Note: It's important to remember that even if you are not asked to submit additional documentation for a transaction, the IRS requires that you obtain and keep backup documentation for all expenses.

Currently, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club, Walgreens and Drugstore.com all have an IIAS in place. By 1/1/08, nearly 100 merchants will be participating in the system. Some of the merchants joining Wal-Mart and Walgreens will be Harris Teeter, Kroger, and Target. Please note: The new IRS requirements also stipulate that as of 1/1/08, your card will not work at department stores, discount stores or supermarkets that do not have an IIAS in place, even if you are purchasing only FSA eligible items.