Dependent Care Accounts (DCA)

Getting real about your healthcare savings starts here

DEPENDENT CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

HOW YOUR DCA WORKS

Your DCA is a spending account that can be used to pay for services like daycare, nursery school, and elder care. By simply participating in a DCA, you get to experience benefits like:

1. A higher take-home pay thanks to your pre-tax payroll deductions

2. Savings on daycare and other dependent care services you’re already paying for

3. Easy-to-use My Ameriflex Debit Mastercard to make purchases

WHAT CAN I SPEND MY DCA FUNDS ON?

The IRS determines what expenses are eligible under a DCA. Below are some examples of common eligible expenses.

• Daycare
• Summer Day Camp
• Before and after school programs
• Private sitter
• Custodial care for dependent adults
• Nursery school
• Nanny service
• Pre-school

GETTING STARTED CHECKLIST

Use this checklist to take full advantage of all the great resources made available to you through your DCA.

1. Set Up Your MyAmeriflex Account

   MyAmeriflex is where you’ll have real-time access to all of your account information, including your current balance, transaction history, payment status, and more. To register your account, visit myameriflex.com, select “Login to your account,” and click “Participants.” Then click the “New User” link to get started. You will be asked to enter an Employee ID, which will be your Social Security number with no dashes or spaces, as well as a Registration ID, which will either be your Ameriflex Debit Mastercard number or Employer ID. If you don’t know your Employer ID, please reach out to your HR representative or contact the Ameriflex Participants Services team at 888.868.FLEX (3539).

2. Download Mobile App

   The MyAmeriflex App lets you access and manage your account anywhere you go, 24/7. It puts all of the great features of the MyAmeriflex Portal right at your fingertips. You can download the app on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

3. Register for Complimentary ID Theft Protection

   Ameriflex is pleased to offer our cardholders complimentary access to Mastercard’s comprehensive Identity Theft Protection program*, powered by CSID®. You can rest assured knowing that if your MyAmeriflex Debit Mastercard (or any other debit/credit cards you choose to register!) gets misplaced or stolen, you can utilize Mastercard’s industry-leading ID theft protection and restoration services for everything you may need. To register, visit myameriflex.com/IDtheftprotection.

4. Use Your Card

   You will receive a MyAmeriflex Debit Mastercard that can be used to make eligible purchases. Your card will be mailed within 7-10 business days after your enrollment is processed by Ameriflex.

5. Enroll for Direct Deposit

   By enrolling for direct deposit, getting reimbursed is easier and faster anytime you need to pay for an eligible expenses out of pocket. Login to MyAmeriflex to set up direct deposit.

6. Start Spending

   You’re ready to make purchases as funds become available! Your account will be funded each pay period. Be sure to hang on to your receipts anytime you make a purchase. Login to MyAmeriflex for a full list of eligible expenses.

HOW TO GET REIMBURSED FOR OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES

As you begin to use your account, it’s important to understand how to submit a request for reimbursement or payment to a provider. 

Two most common reasons for requesting a reimbursement or payment:

1. You paid an eligible expense out of pocket
2. To request a payment be made directly to a provider

Your MyAmeriflex Debit Mastercard is the quickest and easiest way to access your account funds. But if you can’t use your card, getting reimbursed is quick and painless.

Step 1: Login to your MyAmeriflex account online or through the MyAmeriflex App

Step 2: Click the Submit Claim button

Step 3: Fill out all of the required fields and attach documentation

Step 4: If requesting to pay a provider, enter the provider’s information, including address, and select “Pay Provider.” Once processed, the reimbursement will be sent directly to the provider. You can also save the provider for any future reimbursements.

Step 5: Click submit

You can view the status of a pending reimbursement anytime through MyAmeriflex or the MyAmeriflex App. If any further action is needed before the reimbursement is processed, you will receive a message through your account.

ONE-TIME CLAIM FOR DEPENDENT CARE SERVICES

Ameriflex makes it easy to get reimbursed automatically from your account as your funds build up during the year. If you’re paying for childcare or elderly care each month, you can avoid submitting a manual claim every month to get reimbursed for expenses you paid out of pocket. All you have to do is submit one Claim Form for the entire year that shows the date range for which childcare/eldercare services will be provided, along with a signature from the service provider on the designated line of the form. As long as the form is signed by the provider, no receipt is needed. Once the recurring claim has been processed, Ameriflex will automatically reimburse you every month with a check or direct deposit as funds in your Dependent Care Account become available.