What is a Health Spending Account and how does it work?
It's really simple! An HSA is an extra benefit that provides reimbursement for qualified healthcare expenses that are not otherwise covered by your OSSTF Benefits Plan.
A one-time $1,000.00 contribution has been made to an HSA for all eligible OSSTF Benefits Education Workers. You can use those funds to claim eligible, out-of-pocket, medical expenses for reimbursement for you and any dependants.
You’ll appreciate the flexibility of an HSA. Reimbursable expenses are more flexible than extended health benefits because there are no limits by service type, the only limit is the amount in your account. A nice complement to your existing benefits, the HSA can be used towards any eligible medical and dental expenses allowable under CRA guidelines.
Because they are provided on the basis that they will be used for healthcare expenses, the funds are 100% tax free.
How do I access this benefit
At Blendable, we’re pleased to partner with OSSTF Benefits as the Administrator of your HSA benefit. That means you won’t access the HSA benefit as you typically do through our friends at OTIP.
Instead, you’ll submit claims to Blendable. Our Claims Crew will adjudicate according to CRA guidelines and reimburse eligible expenses.
To find out more about your HSA, or to make claims, you will login to your online Member Centre at a customized link just for your group, https://osstf.blendable.ca/
On September 1, 2020, you received a welcome message from a Blendable email address to invite you to register your HSA online.
If you didn’t receive it, check your spam filter in case it got caught but if not there, reach out to us using the Support link on your custom login page.
If you have questions about your HSA that aren’t answered by these FAQs or by the other resources available in your Member Centre, our Blendable Customer Champions are standing by to help. You can reach us by simply clicking on the Support button at that link on your login page.
Who is eligible for the OSSTF ELHT HSA benefit?
The HSA is available for all eligible OSSTF Benefits Education Workers.
Eligibility is based on the member being a permanent OSSTF Benefits Education Worker at the date that the OSSTF Central Agreement for Education Workers was ratified, May 22, 2020, and on September 1, 2020, the implementation date of the HSA.
