You can access the funds in your Lively FSAs or Lively Standard HRA by either 1) paying out-of-pocket first, and then submitting a request online to be reimbursed from your Lively account, or 2) by paying directly with your Lively Benefit Access Visa® card.
When using your card, some eligible items are will require that you provide substantiation* documentation such as a receipt, while others will be automatically substantiated and approved.
*Substantiation is the verification process that the IRS requires to ensure you’re using your reimbursement benefit appropriately. It typically requires a submission of a receipt, other documentation (such as an EOB), or a combination of the two. Learn more here.
Using Your Lively Benefit Access Visa® Card
Automatic substantiation happens at select merchants who have their inventory control system set up to work with IRS regulations. This system is known as an Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS).
IIAS-certified merchants
Stores that are “IIAS-certified” have modified their inventory management systems to automatically identify FSA- and HRA-eligible products. Therefore, if you use your Lively Benefit Access Visa® Card at any of these stores, you won’t have to substantiate your purchase because your administrator knows it was for an eligible expense.
90% stores
At these stores, 90% of their merchandise is FSA- or HRA-eligible. When making a purchase with your Lively Benefit Access Visa® Card at 90% stores, you will need to provide substantiation. Uploading a receipt and sometimes an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) will help to verify that the purchase is eligible.
Non-certified and local merchants
When making qualified purchases at non-IIAS certified merchants, you will need to pay out-of-pocket. You can then submit your receipts for reimbursement from your administrator.
Health care providers
Generally speaking, you can use your debit card at your health care provider's office to help pay for your visit. You’ll need to upload an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) and receipt so the expense can be substantiated.
If you make a purchase at a non-qualified merchant, you will have to pay for the expense out-of-pocket and submit a claim for reimbursement.
Examples by Merchant Type
You can use the chart below to get familiar with different types of merchants and the substantiation requirements for your Lively General Purpose FSA or Lively Standard HRA.
Not every franchise of these retailers is IIAS-certified. If not, you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket and request reimbursement. Want to look up a merchant to see their status? Use this site to search for both IIAS-certified and 90% merchants in your area.
The Lively Benefit Access Visa® Card is issued by The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may not be used everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted.
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