News and Events

March Deadline Reminder & HUCTW Office Move

March 31, 2023 is an important deadline for three reimbursement programs open to HUCTW members: (1) Copay Reimbursement (2) Fitness Reimbursement (3) Dependent Care & Healthcare FSA Reimbursement. These programs assist members with expenses incurred during the previous (2022) calendar year. Please see more details on each program below.

HUCTW OFFICE IS MOVING: Also on a separate note, the HUCTW office is in the process of moving from 15 Mt Auburn St to our new address at 131 Mt Auburn St, 2nd Floor. During this transitional week, email is the best way to get in touch with an HUCTW organizer (either by emailing your organizer directly or writing to huctw.info@huctw.org). You can also reach out by phone, but your call may be sent to voicemail and an organizer will return your call (617-661-8289).

Reimbursement for 2022 Copayments

The Copay Reimbursement Program (CRP) helps HUCTW members who are enrolled in a Harvard-sponsored medical plan with their annual medical copayment costs when they exceed certain amounts. If you or your family members spent a significant amount on medical, hospital, and prescription copayments in the previous calendar year (CY2022), you may be eligible for reimbursement under this program. You can apply by filling out the CRP reimbursement request form, attaching an official list of your copays from 2022, and submitting these two documents to Benefit Strategies/VOYA. You may be able to download this official list of copayments from your medical provider’s website or from Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). You can also request the list be emailed to you by BCBS by web or by phone. However, please note that it can take BCBS between one and four weeks to email you the list. Alternatively you can ask for a list of copay receipts directly from your medical provider(s) as proof of payment. Learn more on the HUCTW website: https://huctw.org/copay and download and fill out the copay reimbursement form to apply. To ensure your form arrives by the deadline, you should submit it to Benefit Strategies/VOYA by email at hvdflex@benstrat.com (as an attachment) or though their online portal. You should direct all questions about the program to HVDFlex@voya.com or to their portal‘s virtual advisor. Dumbarton Oaks members can also apply for this program using statements from their medcal insurers or medical providers.

DEADLINE: March 31, 2023


Reimbursement for 2022 Fitness Expenses

If you belonged to a health club or gym for at least four months during CY2022 while enrolled in a Harvard-sponsored HUGHP or BCBSMA medical plan, you may be eligible for up to $150 reimbursement of your health club membership or gym fees. For both HUGHP and BCBSMA you can fill out and submit the form on the MyBlue website. Please note that MyBlue has expanded this benefit to cover online fitness class subscriptions and at-home exercise equipment, as well as other related expenses. To apply or to see a full list of eligible expenses visit MyBlue. They also offer a similar reimbursement for weight loss program like Weight Watchers and Noom.
DEADLINE: March 31, 2023

Reimbursements from Your 2022 FSA

The Flexible Spending Account (FSA) program allows participants to set aside money from their paychecks pre-tax in order to pay for certain healthcare or dependent care/childcare expenses. If you enrolled either or both FSA programs for the previous 2022 calendar year, you can be reimbursed for eligible expenses using your tax-free funds.

2022 DEPENDENT CARE FSA:

  • For 2022 Dependent Care FSAs, members were able to contribute up to $5000 tax-free to their FSA, which they can use to pay for or reimburse themselves with tax-free funds for childcare expenses or other eligible dependent care expenses.
  • You have until March 15, 2023 to incur eligible dependent care expenses using your 2022 FSA account, and you have until March 31, 2023 to request reimbursement for 2022 expenses. Unused funds will be forfeited.
  • Benefit Strategies/VOYA (Harvard’s claims administrator) is largely remote, so they encourage you to use their online portal and/or email to fill out and submit the Dependent Care FSA claim form. You can see what types of dependent care expenses are eligible for FSA reimbursement on the BenStrat website.

DEADLINE: March 31, 2023


2022 HEALTH CARE FSA:

  • For 2022 Health care FSAs, members were able to contribute anywhere between $120 to $2,750 tax-free  to their FSA, which they can use to pay for or reimburse themselves for healthcare, dental, vision expenses for themselves or their families.
  • You have until March 15, 2023 to incur eligible health care expenses using your 2022 FSA account, and you have until March 31, 2023 to request reimbursement for 2022 expenses. Unused funds will be forfeited.
  • Benefit Strategies/VOYA (Harvard’s claims administrator) is largely remote, so they encourage you to use their online portal and/or email to fill out and submit the Health Care FSA claim form. You can see a list of expenses that are eligible for reimbursement through your Health Care FSA on the BenStrat website.
DEADLINE: March 31, 2023