The Medical/Dental Expense Account (MDEA)

This expense account allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical and dental expenses for yourself, your spouse, and your eligible dependents. This can help reduce your taxable income and increase your take-home pay.

Key Details:

Eligible Expenses: May include medical and dental plan deductibles, co-insurance, and other qualified out-of-pocket costs.

Ineligible Expenses: Insurance premiums are not eligible for reimbursement through the Medical/Dental Expense Account (MDEA).

Contribution Guidelines:

• Minimum Contribution: Typically $100
• Maximum Contribution: Up to the federally established annual limit.

Carryover Option: Unused funds may be carried over to the next plan year, subject to federal limits and plan requirements. To be eligible for carryover, participants typically must:

• Contribute the full amount of their annual election, and
• Make a new election during Open Enrollment.

Funds exceeding the allowable carryover limit that are not used within the required timeframe may be forfeited.

Mid-Year Changes: Changes to your pre-tax benefit election are generally only allowed if you experience a qualifying life event. Requests must be submitted within a specified timeframe (typically 30 days) from the event date.

Annual Election Requirement: You must actively re-enroll each year during Open Enrollment for any plan you wish to continue participating in.

For more detailed plan information (i.e. contribution rates) or help managing your account, visit the Benefit Resource (BRI) landing page.

The Dependent Care Expense Account (DCEA)

This expense account allows you to use pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible dependent care expenses, helping reduce your taxable income while covering necessary day care costs.

Key Details:

Eligible Expenses: May include dependent care (day care) expenses incurred while you are working or actively seeking employment.

Ineligible Expenses: This account cannot be used to reimburse medical or healthcare expenses for your dependents.

Eligible Dependents:

• Children under a certain age (typically under 13)
• A disabled spouse or other disabled dependent who requires adult day care
• Dependents must generally reside in your home during the time care is provided

Contribution Guidelines:

• Minimum Contribution: Typically $100
• Maximum Contribution: Subject to federally established household limits
  • Special rules may apply depending on your tax filing status—consult a tax advisor to understand potential implications.

Reimbursement Timing: Funds are available for reimbursement only after they have been deducted from your paycheck and deposited into your account.

Use-It-or-Lose-It Rule: Any unused funds remaining at the end of the plan year may be forfeited, in accordance with federal regulations.

Mid-Year Changes: Changes to your election are generally only permitted if you experience a qualifying life event (e.g., marriage, divorce, birth of a child). Requests must be submitted within a specified timeframe from the event date.

Annual Election Requirement: You must re-enroll each year during Open Enrollment for any plan you wish to continue participating in.

For more detailed plan information (i.e. contribution rates) or help managing your account, visit the Benefit Resource (BRI) landing page.

Transit Expense Accounts (TEA)

This expense account allows you to pay for eligible commuting costs using pre-tax dollars, helping you save money on work-related transportation expenses. There are two types of Transit Expense Accounts: Bus Pass/Vanpool Expense Account (BVEA) and Parking Expense Account (PKEA).

Parking Expense Account (PKEA)

The PKEA allows you to be reimbursed for qualified work-related parking expenses, including vehicle and bicycle parking. Funds are available for reimbursement only after they have been deducted from your paycheck and deposited into your account.

Important Notes:

• This does NOT cover parking on University campus.
• Expenses already paid through pre-tax payroll deductions are not eligible for reimbursement.
• PKEA funds can only be used for parking expenses—not for transit, bus, or vanpool costs.
• Reimbursement requests must be submitted within 180 days of the date of service or payment, and before the plan year filing deadline.

If you are already enrolled in an agency-provided, payroll-deducted parking or transit program, you should not enroll in a PKEA or BVEA unless you have additional out-of-pocket expenses not covered by that program.

Additional TEA Details:

Annual Election: You must select your election amount each year during Open Enrollment.

Minimum Election: A minimum contribution is required each plan year (typically at least $50).

Maximum Reimbursement: Monthly and annual reimbursement limits apply, subject to federally established guidelines.

Election Changes: You may adjust your election on a prospective basis throughout the year. However, changes must comply with plan rules, including maintaining the minimum annual contribution.

Rollover Feature: Unused funds may be eligible to roll over to the next plan year if a minimum election is made before the new plan year begins. If no election is made, unused funds may be forfeited.

Reimbursement Deadline: Expenses must be submitted within a specified timeframe—generally within 180 days of the date of service or payment, and no later than the plan year’s filing deadline.

For more detailed plan information (i.e. contribution rates) or help managing your account, visit the Benefit Resource (BRI) landing page.

Transit Expense Accounts (TEA)

The second type of Transit Expense Account is the Bus Pass/Vanpool Expense Account (BVEA).

Bus Pass/Vanpool Expense Account (BVEA):

The BVEA is designed to reimburse you for eligible mass transit and vanpool commuting expenses. Like the PKEA, funds become available for reimbursement after payroll contributions are made.

Important Notes:

• Expenses already paid through pre-tax payroll deductions are not eligible for reimbursement.
• BVEA funds can only be used for bus, light rail, and vanpool expenses—not for parking.
• Reimbursement requests must be submitted within 180 days of the date of service or payment, and before the plan year filing deadline.

If you are already enrolled in an agency-provided, payroll-deducted parking or transit program, you should not enroll in a PKEA or BVEA unless you have additional out-of-pocket expenses not covered by that program.

Additional TEA Details:

Annual Election: You must select your election amount each year during Open Enrollment.

Minimum Election: A minimum contribution is required each plan year (typically at least $50).

Maximum Reimbursement: Monthly and annual reimbursement limits apply, subject to plan and federal guidelines.

Election Changes: You may adjust your election on a prospective basis throughout the year, provided changes comply with plan rules and maintain the required minimum contribution.

Rollover Feature: Unused funds may be eligible to roll over to the next plan year if a minimum election is made before the new plan year begins. If no election is made, unused funds may be forfeited.

Reimbursement Deadline: Expenses must be submitted within a specified timeframe—generally within 180 days of the date of service or payment, and no later than the plan year’s filing deadline.

For more detailed plan information (i.e. contribution rates) or help managing your account, visit the Benefit Resource (BRI) landing page.

Accessing Your Account Funds

Beniversal® Prepaid Mastercard®

New participants will automatically receive two Beniversal® cards by mail in a plain white envelope. Once received, follow the enclosed instructions to activate your card. Previous participants that re-enroll may continue using their existing Beniversal® Prepaid Mastercard®.

After activation, your card can be used to pay for eligible expenses directly from your:

• Medical/Dental Expense Account (MDEA)
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) (Administrators and IFO)
• Transit Expense Account (TEA)

For added convenience, you can enable your Beniversal® card for contactless payments through digital wallets such as Apple Pay®, Google Pay®, and Samsung Pay®. This allows you to make secure, mobile payments at qualified healthcare and commuting locations directly from your smartphone.

Beniversal Card Reminders:

To ensure smooth access to your pre-tax benefit funds, please keep the following in mind when using your Beniversal® Prepaid Mastercard®

• Account Inactivity During Leave or Separation:
  If you begin an unpaid leave of absence, are laid off, or separate from employment, your debit card and account will become inactive. To maintain access, you must elect to continue participation and pay the required monthly contributions.

• Alternative Reimbursement Options:
  If you are unable to use your debit card, you may request reimbursement through the mobile app, online portal, or by submitting a paper reimbursement form.

Note: Mass transit expenses must be paid using the debit card and are not eligible for manual reimbursement.

Submitting A Claim for Reimbursement:

If you are not using the Beniversal® Prepaid Mastercard®—or if you are submitting expenses for Dependent Care (day care)—you can request reimbursement by submitting a claim along with an itemized receipt or appropriate supporting documentation.

You have three convenient options to submit your claim:

• Online at BRIWEB
• Through BRIMOBILE
• By mailing a CLAIM FORM

For step-by-step guidance and helpful tips, visit the Claims Best Practices resource page on the Benefit Resource website.

Tools to Manage Your Account

💻 BRIWEB Online Portal

Access your account anytime through the BRIWEB portal State of Minnesota page and click the "LOGIN TO BRIWEB" button.

If you're a new participant or haven't accessed your account online before, click “Register an Account.” 

To complete registration, you'll need:

• Company Code: Minnesota
• Member ID/Registration ID: Employee ID + last 4 digits of your SSN
• Access to an email or phone number to complete the registration process

What You Can Do on BRIWEB

• Submit claims and upload receipts
• View account balances, transactions, and claim history
• Update your profile (login info, contact details, direct deposit, card activation)
• Sign up for real-time alerts via text or email
• Download forms, plan documents, and educational resources

📱 BRIMOBILE App: Manage Your Benefits On the Go

Stay connected to your benefits anytime, anywhere with the BRIMOBILE app—available for both Apple and Android devices in your app store. This secure and easy-to-use app gives you instant access to your account and a variety of helpful tools.

With BRIMOBILE, you can:

• Scan and search for eligible items
• View current and prior year account balances
• Review recent card transactions
• Submit and track claims
• Upload receipts directly from your device
• Sign up for real-time notifications and alerts

To get started, visit your device’s app store and search for BRIMOBILE.

Note: You must first register on BRIWEB to receive your Login ID and Password before using the app.

🔔 BRIALERTS: Stay Informed in Real Time

Stay up to date with real-time notifications about your account activity. You can choose to receive alerts via text message or email, giving you instant insight into your benefit account status—anytime, anywhere.

You can sign up for alerts through BRIWEB or the BRIMOBILE app.

Available alert types include:

• Card Denials – Get notified if a transaction is declined
• Card Deposits – Know when funds are added to your account
• Card Purchases – Track spending as it happens
• Claims Payment Activity – Receive updates when claims are processed
• Monthly Balance Summary – Stay on top of your account with a monthly snapshot

Take control of your benefits with timely updates that help you manage your funds more effectively.

For more information or help managing your account, visit the Benefit Resource (BRI) landing page.