Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Dependent care expenses for the following dependents are eligible:
- Children under age 13.
- Your spouse (if mentally or physically disabled).
- Any other qualified dependents under the IRS Code, regardless of age, if they are mentally or physically incapable of caring for themselves and live in your home at least eight hours per day.
The FSA cannot be used to pay dependent care expenses for a domestic partner or a child who is not your tax dependent. This is a federal tax requirement.
You can use the dependent care FSA for a variety of care, such as daycare, pre-school, before-school care and after-school care. The IRS determines which expenses are eligible for reimbursement. Visit the Optum Financial website for a list of eligible expenses.
- The maximum contribution to dependent care FSA in 2026 is $7,500 per household, including the Carilion contribution.
- If your spouse also works for Carilion and participates in the dependent care FSA, you are limited to a combined maximum of $7,500, including the Carilion contribution for each of you.
- The $7,500 per year maximum also includes the amount of any subsidy that Carilion pays on your behalf if you use HoneyTree Early Learning Centers.
- If you go over the $7,500 maximum per year, any amount over $7,500 is taxable to you.
- As an added benefit, Carilion contributes $10 per pay period, up to an annual maximum of $270, to your dependent day care FSA when you participate and contribute at least $10 per pay period.
- You can spend the dollars in your account on eligible dependent care expenses through March 15 of the following year. It is important to estimate your out-of-pocket expenses carefully, as any dollars not spent by March 15 will be forfeited.
- All claims must be filed by March 31 following the end of the plan year.
- Create a secure account through Optum Financial website to view up-to-date account balance information and make changes to your personal information.
- The dependent care FSA is separate from your healthcare FSA. You can't transfer funds between the two accounts, if you enroll in both.
- If you pay for a Dependent Care FSA expense out-of-pocket, you can submit a manual claim form for reimbursement from your DFSA account. The supporting documentation must specify day care, preschool, or after school care, to comply with IRS guidelines.
If you leave Carilion mid-year, you can submit claims for reimbursement for funds that were contributed prior to your separation date. You have until March 15 of the following year to submit documentation for reimbursement of DFSA eligible expenses.
You will be asked to create an account on HealthSafe ID in order to access your log in screen on the Optum Financial mobile app and desktop portal. HealthSafe ID is a security platform that offers the added protection of two-factor authentication. Once you create an account on HealthSafe ID, you will be taken to the portal for Optum Financial, where you will be able to log in using your already established log in and password.
When creating an account on the HealthSafe ID website, click "register now" and follow the prompts to create an account.
HealthSafe ID is a universal multifactor authentication security application used by other healthcare companies, if you have already created a username and password for HealthSafe ID, you may use your existing credentials to link all of your accounts.
Click here for more information about HealthSafe ID.
- Visit www.optumfinancial.com and from the “Employee” drop down box, select “New User Registration”. Follow the prompts to create an online account.
- Visit optumfinancial.com and from the “Employee” drop down box, select “New User Registration”. Follow the prompts to create an online account.
Get access to your Optum Financial account with the free Optum Financial Mobile Application. The Optum Financial app makes it easy for you to access your FSA account at any time. Available for Apple and Android smartphones.
The Optum Financial mobile app lets you:
- View your account balance and manage your account funds.
- Request reimbursement and view transaction history.
- For more information and instructions on how to register, please review the Optum website.
- View a list of common eligible expense items.
If you still have funds in your FSA account from the previous year, any claims submitted between Jan. 1 and March 15 will be paid using the previous year's funds. This is to ensure that you do not forfeit those funds.
- Optum Financial Customer Service: 877-292-4040
- 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
