What is a…   Health Reimbursement Arrangement?

 A Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) can be an effective way for churches to provide medical care for their pastors and/or lay employees.  In order for a plan to be a legitimate HRA the following criteria must be followed:

1. HRAs are funded solely by the employer and not through salary reduction.

2. HRAs cannot be part of a cafeteria plan and must be treated as a separate issue.

3. Non-discrimination rules apply and all employees who are full-time (30 hours or more per week) must receive the same benefit.

4. HRAs may only be used to reimburse employees for medical care for themselves, their spouse or their dependents.

5. Reimbursements can only be made for substantiated medical care expenses.

 The benefits of an HRA?

1. The church may reimburse the pastor/employee for medical insurance.  This may be especially helpful if the medical insurance provider will not accept a church check for payment of premiums.

2. Any “unused” funds are carried forward to increase the reimbursement amount available in the following year.  The “use it or lose it” rule does not apply.

3. Distributions of HRA funds to reimburse or pay an employee’s medical expenses are not taxable for federal, state or self-employment.

“Name of your Organization”
 

Health Reimbursement Arrangement

 In an effort to reduce the potential for added out-of-pocket health expenses to our full-time employees the “Name of your Organization” has seen fit to establish a Health Reimbursement Arrangement. The Internal Revenue Service requires that certain conditions exist in order for a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to be considered non-taxable.  The Health Reimbursement Arrangement of the “Name of your Organization” will be subject to the following conditions:

 1.      The Health Reimbursement Arrangement will be provided to all full-time (at least 30 hours per week) employees of the “Name of your Organization”.

 2.      The Health Reimbursement Arrangement will provide a yearly benefit. 

Ø      Each employee will have “Amount to be made available” per “week/month/year” available.  For a total of “Amount to be made available” per year.

Ø      The HRA will begin the “first/second/third/etc” year of employment on January 1^st  and ending on the last day of employment at which time any unused funds will be absorbed back into the general fund.

Ø      Amounts remaining in the HRA on December 31^st of each year will be carried forward and added to the HRA for the following year.

 3.      You will be reimbursed for deductible out-of-pocket medical expenses. 

Ø      Only expenses that are not covered by a medical plan are eligible for reimbursement.

Ø      You may be reimbursed for Medical and Dental payments that would be includible on Schedule A of your Federal return if you were not reimbursed under this plan.  (See attached list of what is and what is not deductible).

Ø      You CANNOT be reimbursed without turning in receipts.  If you fail to obtain a receipt from your doctor, dentist or pharmacists, you will be unable to be reimbursed.

 4.      The Health Reimbursement Arrangement will be available for the full-time employee who retires directly from our employment. 

Ø      If you retire from our service and do not pursue new employment, the amount remaining in your HRA at the time of retirement will be available to you for reimbursement until the funds are used up.

Examples of Medical and Dental Payments You May Be Reimbursed For

·         Insurance premiums for medical and dental care, including premiums for qualified long-term care contracts as defined in Pub. 502.  

·         Prescription medicines or insulin.

·         Nonprescription medicines (including pain relievers, antacids, cold medicines and allergy drugs).

·         Medical doctors, osteopathic doctors, dentists, eye doctors, podiatrists, chiropractors, psychiatrists, psychologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, and psychoanalysts (medical care only).

·         Medical examinations, X-ray and laboratory services, insulin treatment, and whirlpool baths your doctor ordered.

·         Nursing help (including your share of the employment taxes paid). If you paid someone to do both nursing and housework, you may be reimbursed for only the cost of the nursing help.

·         Hospital care (including meals and lodging), clinic costs, and lab fees.

·         Qualified long-term care services (see Pub. 502).

·         The supplemental part of Medicare insurance (Medicare B).

·         A program to stop smoking and for prescription medicines to alleviate nicotine withdrawal.

·         Medical treatment at a center for drug or alcohol addiction.

·         Medical aids such as eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, braces, crutches, wheelchairs, and guide dogs,  including the cost of maintaining them.

·         Surgery to improve vision including radial keratotomy or other laser eye surgery.

·         Lodging expenses (but not meals) while away from home to receive medical care in a hospital or a medical care facility related to a hospital. No more than $50 a night for each eligible person.

·         Ambulance service and other travel costs to get medical care. If you used your own car, you may claim what you spent for gas and oil to go to and from the place you received the care; or you may claim 16.5 cents a mile for 2010.  Add parking and tolls to the amount you claim under either method.

Examples of Medical and Dental Payments You May Not Be Reimbursed For

·         The basic cost of Medicare insurance (Medicare A).  If you were 65 or older but not entitled to social security benefits, you may be reimbursed for premiums you voluntarily paid for Medicare A coverage.

·         Cosmetic surgery unless it was necessary to improve a deformity related to a congenital abnormality, an injury from an accident or trauma, or a disfiguring disease. 

·         Life insurance or income protection policies.

·         The Medicare tax on your wages and tips or the Medicare tax paid as part of the self-employment tax or household employment taxes.

·         Nursing care for a healthy baby.

·         Illegal operations or drugs.

·         Nonprescription vitamins and supplements.

·         Travel your doctor told you to take for rest or a change.

·         Funeral, burial, or cremation costs.

Whose Medical and Dental Expenses Can You Include?

You may include medical and dental bills you paid for:

·         Yourself and your spouse. 

·         All dependents you claim on your return.

·         Your child whom you do not claim as a dependent because of the rules explained in Pub. 501 for children of divorced or separated parents.

·         Any person you could have claimed as a dependent on your return if that person had not received $3,650 or more of gross income or had not filed a joint return.

Example. You provided over half of your mother’s support but may not claim her as a dependent because she received wages of $3,400 during the tax year. You may include on line 1 any medical and dental expenses you paid during the tax year for your mother.