Frequently Asked Questions You’ve Got Questions and We’ve Got Answers
Have a question? Search PARA’s frequently asked questions for quick answers about your Resident Physician Agreement, member benefits, and available supports. From duty hour limits and leave entitlements to health and dental coverage, our searchable FAQ makes it easy to find the information you need, when you need it.
Our team is here to help. Reach out if you have any other questions.
A Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is an annual credit allotment provided by the employer to each eligible employee to help pay for certain out-of-pocket health care costs.
Each year a resident physician has 1,000 flex credits (1 flex credit = $1) that can be allocated between Health Spending, Personal Spending, and Group Savings. Resident physicians must allocate the flex credits to the various areas or 100% of credits will default to the Health Spending Account.
New and starting resident physicians will have approximately four weeks from the beginning of July to allocate their credits. After the first year of residency there will be a one-week window in June to allocate flex credits. Resident will be notified of this window through their AHS email.
Flex spending credits are allocated through your e-people account. For assistance with allocation please reach out to the AHS HR Contact Centre:
• Through the ServiceHub on Insite by creating a self-service case
• Using the chat feature to connect directly with an agent.
• By calling the toll-free number at 1-877-511-4455
Resident physicians are able to claim expenses above the Supplementary Health and Dental Plan maximums, expenses not covered by those plans, and premiums for those plans (the resident pays 25% of the Blue Cross premiums). The expenses can be incurred by the resident or any eligible dependent. Remember that you only have 60 days after the end of the academic year on June 30 (i.e. August 30) to submit claims for the preceding period.
Any unused credits in your health spending account or your personal spending account carry forward for one year but can only be used on expenditures made in the current academic year. After that time, any unused credits are forfeited by the resident physician.
It is important to note any claims related to an academic year (July 1-June 30) must be made within 60 days of the year end (meaning August 30). If the claim for expenditures made is not into Blue Cross by this deadline, it will be rejected. If a resident physician is in the final year of residency, the flexible spending account terminates at the end of your contract.