As of Jan. 1, 2013, employees who are covered under USNH’s Harvard Pilgrim health care plan will receive certain preventative care services for free. A provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that went into effect in August 2012 mandates that, among other services, mammograms, screenings for cervical cancer and colon cancer (depending on your age), and prenatal care be provided free of charge, including co-pays. Flu and pneumonia shots are free as are routine vaccinations against diseases such as measles, polio, or meningitis. The provision states that “Non-grandfathered plans and issuers are required to provide coverage without cost sharing consistent with these guidelines in the first plan year (in the individual market, policy year) that begins on or after August 1, 2012.”  Harvard Pilgrim’s plan for USNH employees runs from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, which is why coverage began this year rather than in 2012. The changes in services are based on guidelines from the Institute of Medicine, a non-partisan agency that has determined paying for these services will save money and lives.A full list of the preventative care services can be found at http://www.hrsa.gov/womensguidelines/. The new year also marks a change in how much tax-free money can be set aside from your paycheck for medical expenses not covered by your health insurance plan. As of Jan. 1, 2013, Flexible Spending Accounts (FHAs) funded through payroll deductions are capped at $2,500.  Once a FSA account is opened, it can’t be changed during the plan year unless the employee has a qualifying change in status.The $2,500 limit applies only to salary reduction contributions to an FSA and does not limit the amount permitted for reimbursement for dependent care assistance or adoption care assistance. In 2011, the law changed to exclude reimbursement for over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol, Advil, cough medicines, etc. without a doctor’s prescription. FHA accounts are administered by WageWorks. Read more at the WageWorks website.  If you have questions about your benefits, you can contact your Human Resources partner. If you aren’t sure who that is, go to http://unh.edu/hr/partners.htm.