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New Flexible Spending debit card simplifies life
By Bill Frederick
I’ve got a brand new debit card in my wallet, and it’s making my Flexible Spending Account purchases a whole lot easier.
I didn’t know that an FSA debit card even existed, and if I had I probably wouldn’t have been all that excited about it. I already had two debit cards in my wallet, one for our joint checking account and another for a business account that I maintain. Another card would have just seemed to me like, well, just another card.
When added to such other occupants of my wallet as a driver’s license, my Costco card, my AAA membership card, my Aetna cards and a whole bunch of other cards, I was already tilting precariously to one side when I sat down.
But then I had a conversation with Cynthia McLeod in Human Resources, and she changed my life. Not a big change, mind you, but a very nice small change.
First, we discussed the general pros and cons of a Flexible Spending Account. I have to admit to a certain amount of grumpiness about that part of the conversation, since I had just spent several hours putting together an FSA claim only to discover that I had neglected to sign up for the program in 2009.
Cynthia ignored my bad attitude and said, “Do you want an FSA debit card?”
I looked at her blankly.
“A what?”
“An FSA debit card,” she repeated. “You can get a debit card and use it to pay your co-pays for prescriptions, doctor visits, or anything that’s covered under the Flexible Spending Account.”
I thought about the ever-expanding girth of my wallet, but I couldn’t think of a good reason to say no.
“Sure, why not,” I said.
Cynthia picked up the phone, made a call, and hung up.
“Watch your mailbox,” she said. “Cards for you and your wife are on the way.”
Sure enough, a light blue Visa debit card arrived in the mail a few days later. A few days after that, another came for my wife Beth.
A few days after that, I was in line at Walgreen’s to pick up a prescription refill when I remembered my new card.
“I just got this,” I explained to the pharmacist. “Never used it before, and don’t know if it will work, but let’s give it a try.”
I swiped the card and hit the little “debit” button. In the blink of an eye, the machine rejected the transaction.
“Try it again and this time hit ‘credit,’” the pharmacist suggested. “For some reason most of these FSA debit cards only work when you run them as credit transactions.”
I tried it again. Sure enough, it worked. Wow.
There are a number of benefits to this card. The biggest is that you no longer have to take time out of your Saturday to put together an FSA claim.
Also, you don’t have to wait for your money – the card pays out the co-pay right on the spot every time you make a purchase or visit the doctor or hospital.
Another nice feature is that it works for approved over-the-counter medical products. And I don’t know exactly how it does this, but if you get a prescription refilled at the drug store, and also buy an electric toothbrush and a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, you can still swipe the debit card and it will only pay out for the prescription.
So I like this new card pretty well. And I am tilting a little more to one side when I sit down, but not really very much at all.
Direct deposit to replace all payroll checks as of March 1
As of March 1, the college no longer will issue paper payroll checks except in cases of demonstrated hardship. As of that date, employee pay will be distributed only through direct deposit.
The Board of Trustees voted at its December meeting to adopt revised payroll procedures requiring employees to have their payroll checks deposited through the college’s Direct Deposit Program. Employees must fill out a Direct Deposit Authorization Form identifying where their payroll checks are to be deposited.
Employees who close their accounts, or move them to other institutions, must notify the college by filling out a new authorization form.
Employees who fail to promptly complete the form may experience delays in receiving their checks.
Employees who can demonstrate a hardship may be exempted from the Direct Deposit Program. Requests for exemption must contain clear explanations of the reasons why, and include supporting documentation.
Link to the Direct Deposit Authorization Form (pdf) and Direct Deposit Hardship Form (pdf) here or from the Human Resource Web site.
Lifelong learning trips
Make plans now to join one of the upcoming Lifelong Learning trips:
- Mount Dora Tea & Antiques Tour, Saturday, Feb. 20
- Fort Myers/Pine Island/Edison Estate, Friday, March 19
- Savanah Arts & History Tour, May 12-15
For details on other Lifelong Learning classes, visit the Lifelong Learning Web site.
Meeting Notices
The St. Petersburg College Board of Trustees will hold a public meeting on Feb. 12 at 9 a.m. at the EpiCenter, Room 1-453, 13805 58th St. N., Largo, FL.
The St. Petersburg College Foundation, Inc. will have a Planned Giving Committee meeting on Feb. 16 at noon, in the President's Dining Room at the District Office of St. Petersburg College, 6021 142nd Ave. N., Largo. This meeting will be to consider routine business.
The St. Petersburg Alumni Association, Inc. will have a Board of Directors meeting on Feb. 16 at 6 p.m., in the President's Dining Room at the District Office of St. Petersburg College, 6021 142nd Ave. N., Largo. These meeting will be to consider routine business.