Defined Dollar Credit

CALTECH RETIREE DEFINED DOLLAR CREDIT

WEX has a dedicated number for Caltech/JPL retirees; 1-844-561-1334. You may use this number or continue to use the original number provided when contacting WEX.

What is ‘Defined Dollar Credit’?

The Defined Dollar Credit is a monthly amount intended to help you pay for the cost of your medical coverage, while giving you more flexibility and options for choosing coverage that fits you best.

This credit is based on your years of service (up to a maximum of 25+ years) and Medicare eligibility. Since Medicare is your primary coverage, these plans cost less and the defined dollar credit for Medicare-eligible retirees is also less.

How It Works:

Determine your monthly medical, dental and/or vision premium costs

Determine your Defined Dollar Credit (DDC) based on your terms of service*

Deduct your monthly Defined Dollar Credit from your total monthly costs**

The remaining balance of costs due will be direct billed to you monthly.

*refer to 2025 DDC amounts document

**A plan administrative fee of $13.40 is included in the Caltech sponsored Kaiser and Aetna Health Plan monthly premium rates.

How to Participate:

There are three ways to participate in the Caltech Retiree Medical Plan:

Participate in a Caltech-sponsored plan. You pay the monthly plan premium (s) less your Defined Dollar Credit. If your plan(s) costs more than the amount of your Defined Dollar Credit, you will receive a monthly notice of premium due.If your plan(s) costs less than the amount of your Defined Dollar Credit, the extra Defined Dollar Credit will be available to you through a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). You can use your HRA to pay eligible health care expenses. The HRA is administered by WEX – Discovery Benefits.
Have your entire Defined Dollar Credit available to you through a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). Enroll in the HRA and use your Define Dollar Credit to purchase a non-Institute health plan and pay other eligible health care expenses. Any premiums deducted from a paycheck must be paid on an after tax basis to be eligible for reimbursement by the HRA account.
Opt out of the Caltech program entirely.
If you choose to opt out of the Caltech Retiree Medical Plan, you will not receive a Defined Dollar Credit. (To receive your Defined Dollar Credit, you must enroll in an Institute-sponsored medical plan or HRA.) If you do not enroll in the Caltech Retiree Medical Plan within two years after your retirement date, and you do not have other continuous medical coverage (other than Medicare), you waive your right to participate in the Caltech Retiree Medical Plan.

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Logging in to Setup Your Account with WEX

Once you are on the WEX website you will take the following steps to login:

Click on the green “login” button located in the top right side of the website
Next, click on the first select labeled: HSA, FSA, HRA & Commuter Login
New users: on the right hand side of the screen you will click on “New User” to set up your username and password
Existing users: on the left hand side of the screen you can key in your user name and password and then click on the “login” button

Quick Tip When Calling the WEX Call Center

To bypass listening to all call options for WEX you may do the following:

To speak to a representative, please press 2.
If you are a participant in a FSA, HSA, HRA, Transportation or Wellness account press or say 1.
If you would like to hear the automated menu (no need to talk to a representative) select the following:
To take advantage of our enhance account servicing options – press or say 1.
If you are a participant in a FSA, HSA, HRA, Transportation or Wellness account press or say 1.

You will then be presented with an automated menu of options from which to make your selection.

How do I setup automatic premium reimbursement for my Medicare Part B premiums and Part D premiums, if applicable, that are deducted from my Social Security payments?

You can setup automatic premium reimbursement by completing the WEX “Automatic Premium Reimbursement Request Form”. Please complete and return the form to WEX as follows:

Mail: PO Box 2926 ∙ Fargo, ND 58108-2926, or
Email: forms@wexhealth.com, or
Fax: 866-451-3245.

How can I look at my HRA balance and transactions?

WEX will mail a welcome packet to you in mid-December which will include information about how to access your new WEX HRA account online, how to download the mobile App and file claims.

How do I submit a claim to WEX for my HRA?

Your Welcome Packet from WEX will include instructions; there are several ways to submit claims:

Email, Fax or mail a paper “Out of Pocket Request Form” to WEX
Login to WEX and submit a request online
Use WEX mobile app to file a claim
Use online bill pay to pay your provider directly from your HRA
Email “Out of Pocket Request Form” to WEX forms@wexhealth.com

How will I be reimbursed by WEX for my HRA claims?

If you have not signed up for direct deposit online, you will receive a check in the mail.

Can I use my Defined Dollar Credit to pay for premiums from another employers’ plan?

Yes, however any premiums deducted from your paycheck must be paid for on an after-tax basis to be eligible for reimbursement from the HRA.

Will my spouse/surviving spouse be eligible for coverage and/or a Defined Dollar Credit?

Yes, the spouse/partner you have when you retire will be eligible for coverage and the Caltech Defined Dollar Credit. If a retiree re-marries the new spouse can join the plan, but Caltech will not provide a Defined Dollar Credit toward the new spouse’s coverage.

What expenses can I claim with the Health Reimbursement Account?

Examples of eligible expenses for you and your eligible spouse may include:

Medicare Part B premiums deducted from your Social Security check
Prescription drug copays
Medical copays
Dental expenses (non-cosmetic)
Vision expenses
Hearing Aid expenses
After tax health plan premiums deducted from a paycheck. IRS Regulations state that any premiums deducted from a paycheck must be paid for on an after-tax basis to be eligible for reimbursement from the HRA.

Is the Defined Dollar Credit taxable income?

No, when defined dollar credits you receive through the HRA are used for out of pocket healthcare expenses, they are not taxable.