Travis County Commissioners Court
August 16, 2005
Item 21
Let's take the real easy one here, 21, consider and take appropriate action on the following: the Travis County t-flex plan resolution and summary plan description to incorporate a grace period of two and a half months for medical expenses at the end of each plan year effective in plan year 2006. And 21-b, the Travis County t listen flex plan to set the minimum annual contribution for medical accounts from $50 to $120 and and dependent accounts from $60 to $120 effective October 1, 2005.
>> judge and Commissioners, the Travis County has a t flex program for its employees and that's where employees can put before taxes money aside for medical reimbursement and day care and they get the money tax free and they get reimbursed and that's a benefit for employees. The federal laws have changed and we're also amending our contract or our agreement with floridaian, which is a company that administers this program. Under a, the t flex resolution and summary plan description, we are asking that a graition period of two and a half months be incorporated into the summary plan. This will not be effective, though, till October through December of '06. We were hoping to have it done this year, but floridaian was just not prepared to do it for this year, so this really won't take into effect the grace period until '06.
>> why? I remember harping on this earlier in terms of why we couldn't get this done earlier.
>> when we spoke to them, their systems, computer systems and programming had to be re-- it had to be reprogrammed to accommodate this. And they can begin actually doing this with plan years that start December 2005. Unfortunately, our plan year will already be underway, so it will take us to plan year 2006. So the extension will actually take effect September -- October 1st of 2006 through December 15th of 2006. That would be the extended period for our upcoming plan year that starts October 1st.
>> did we ask them to make an exception for us?
>> I think we did and they weren't able to do so because they're not sure when they're programming will be finished and tested.
>> but we did ask?
>> yes.
>> that has to do with a.
>> I’m sitting here thinking, this is something that you have to get done during the fiscal year. What am I thinking? What's wrong with that thinking? Sometime during the fiscal year, which is 12 months.
>> yeah.
>> so why is it necessary to have it up and running October 1 if it takes to January one, why wouldn't we just say okay, woof got nine months in '06?
>> why can't we extend the use of the money that we put in for this year, that we've elected to put into more than a year ago. And the reason that we can't is that in order for them to process that, their system would have to be functioning by October 1. They don't believe it will be functioning by October 1, so they can't do it.
>> so whatever you get in '06 by this time next year, you will have the two and a half months grace period.
>> yes.
>> okay.
>> and we're hopeful that we can get the extension this year, but apparently that's not the case.
>> and with open enrollment still going on and employees still have an opportunity to go in and enroll in flex or if they want to change their contribution to cover the extension.
>> so this year the deadline is September 30th?
>> yes. And you have to -- for the expenditures. So you have till December to submit, but all the expenditures have to be by September the 30th.
>> you have to incur the expense from September 30th, but you've got a 90 day period to claim it. And once it goes into the grace period, then it will still be after the end of the grace period a 90 day period for employees to file claims to get their reimbursements.
>> ypusl is the Travis County guru on the Travis County t-flex plan? I’m looking at both of them?
>> you're looking at them.
>> and barbara over there too.
>> okay.
>>
>> [one moment, please, for change in captioners]
>>
>> ...all in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. With Commissioner Gomez temporarily off the diaz.
>> when is the closing for --
>> it's August 20th and employees can enroll on their county computer or at home on the internet this year. We encourage everyone to enroll. Our other grew radios are virginia san today. We do encourage employees to take advantage of all the benefits.
>> show Commissioner Davis in support of this item. Commissioner Gomez in favor of this item.
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Last Modified:
Wednesday, August 17, 2005 10:52 AM