Corina Lee

October, 2008

Be Informed: Become a Delegate for 2009. Applications are Due!

Are you tired of not being informed – or worse, being misinformed by rumors – about critical issues? If you really want to know what the League does for you, become a delegate. Delegates perform two critical functions: communicate accurate and updated information in a timely manner to our members and provide the League Board of Directors with feedback from our members. To become a delegate, fill out an application, which will be accepted beginning October 1, 2008, through November 4, 2008, 5:00 p.m., at the League. Please call (213) 251-4554 if you would like an application faxed to you. If you are a current Delegate, you will also need to complete a 2009 delegate application.

The number of delegates assigned to a division will depend upon the number of sworn personnel at that division. If there are more delegate applicants than positions available, an election will be held for that division only. The results will be available mid-December.

Last month I briefly discussed the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account and received a lot of calls with various questions on the benefit. Please see below for a more detailed explanation of the benefit.

Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

A Dependent Care Spending Account is used to pay for dependent daycare expenses that enable you (and your spouse, if married) to be gainfully employed. This care may be for a child 12 years or under, or for the care of your spouse or other dependent, such as an invalid parent who is incapable of self care. The dependent must regularly spend at least eight hours per day in your home.

Your Money is NEVER Taxed

Because your spending account deductions are pretax, you can save 25% to 50% of your out-of-pocket health care or dependent daycare expenses. Your money goes further because you never have to pay tax on the money set aside in these accounts.

Simple to Use

Regular amounts are deducted from your gross wages and applied to your spending account. Reimbursements are issued to you from your spending account when you submit a documented claim. To set up a spending account, all you have to do is estimate how much money you spend for out-of-pocket healthcare and/or dependent daycare expenses each year. You must sign up during your open enrollment period, or when you are first eligible for the plan.

After you have received healthcare or dependent daycare services, you submit a completed claim form and appropriate documentation to our administrator, Creative Benefits, Inc., (CB), who issues a reimbursement to you. It’s that easy!

Estimating Your Healthcare Expenses

Using the following tips as a guide, determine how much money you spend each year for out-of-pocket healthcare expenses for you and your eligible tax dependents. For example:
• Payments towards your deductible or co-pays for office visits and prescriptions
• Costs for routine visits to your doctor, dentist, chiropractor or other health care providers
• Expenses for routine purchases, such as medications, contact lens solution or over-the-counter treatments and supplies.

Over the Counter
Eligible Expenses

This list is not intended to be a guarantee of reimbursement or eligibility. All claims are reviewed when they are received, and the determination of eligibility or reimbursement is made based upon the information received from the plan participant.
Antiseptics: Alcohol wipes/swabs, boric acid, hydrogen peroxide, iodine and isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
Asthma Medication: Bronchial asthma inhalers, such as Primatene Mist; expectorant tablets.
Cold, Flu, Sinus and Allergy Medications: Cough drops; sore throat; cold and flu products, such as Nyquil or PediaCare; decongestants; medicated chest rubs; allergy medication, such as Claritin, Benadryl and Loratadine; and sinus medications, such as Sudafed and Zyrtec.
Contraception: Condoms and contraceptive jelly, such as Gynol II.
Diabetes: Lancets, test strips, monitors and supplies, such as EZY Dose Wallet.
Ear/Eye Care: Lubricants, drops, contact lens solutions and hearing aid batteries.
First Aid: Gauze, tape, first aid creams/ointments, topical antibiotics and spray/adhesive bandages.
Health Aid: Braces for tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, etc.; hemorrhoid relief; sleep aids, such as Sominex; smoking cessation aids; yeast and fungal infection medications; motion sickness; and homeopathic remedies, such as Arnica montana and calendula.
Pain Relief: Arthritis pain relievers, such as Bengay and Tiger Balm; aspirin; non-aspirin; back relief; PMS; menstrual; tooth/mouth relief, such as Orabase and Anbesol; muscle/joint relief; hot/cold compresses; and children’s pain relievers.
Personal Test Kits: Blood pressure monitors, pregnancy tests, ovulation indicators, cholesterol and home drug tests.
Prenatal: Vitamins .
Skin Care: Topical steroids, such as hydrocortisone cream; acne treatment; psoriasis gels; diaper rash; blisters; cold sore; and athlete’s foot.
Stomach Care: Indigestion and heartburn medications/antacids, such as Tagamet, Zantac, Pepcid AC and Prilosec OTC; laxatives, such as Phillips Milk of Magnesia, Ipecac and anti-diarrhea medications.

Dual Purpose

Nutritional supplements (such as vitamins, herbal supplements and natural medicines) are not eligible unless you have been directed to use them by a licensed practitioner to treat a specific medical condition, and the item is not consumed to maintain general health. A written directive from the practitioner is required for reimbursement. In addition, you must be able to certify that except for the particular medical condition, you would not be taking the supplement or using the product. Examples: Herbal supplements and natural medicines, such as glucosamine, St. John’s wort, Gingko biloba and echinacea

Vitamins and Mineral Supplements such as iron and B complex

Non-Covered Expenses

Baby wipes.
Chapstick.
Deodorants .
Feminine hygiene products .
Hair re-growth products.
Insect repellent.
Personal hygiene products.
Shampoo/conditioner .
Skin care products .
Sunscreen (under SPF 30).
Teeth cleaning products .
Teeth whitening products/services.
Toothpaste/floss.
Toothbrush/electric toothbrush.
To see how much you will save this year, use the tax savings calculator at www.creativebenefits.com password: (creative).
Open enrollment for the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account will be the month of October only. If you have additional questions, contact Creative benefits for more information: Telephone: (888) 295-5656; Email: questions@creativebenefits.com; Website:www.creativebenefits.com
Be safe.