"Run-out" period for health flex plan

[Alf]

Is there a legal rule for the period in which expenses can be submitted for reimbursement from our health flex plan after an employee terminates (ignoring COBRA)? The expenses were incurred during employment. If there is no law, is there a certain period that is typical?

[Guest JerseyGirl]

Usually, the run-out period for a terminated employee is the same as for all other participants. On a rare occasion, terminated employees have a shorter period (30 days from term. date for example) for claims submission. The Summary Plan Description for the plan should give you specifics. If the SPD does not contain any specific information regarding terminated employees, the plan must allow the same time-frame for all. Most plans have a standard 90 day run-out period after the plan year ends for services rendered during the plan year.