There’s a new health benefit coming soon.

The MACRC Health Fund Trustees have approved a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) in the STLKC Southern Region beginning with May 1, 2026, contributions. Participants may begin to use their HRA accounts on or after October 1, 2026, and not before this date.

What an HRA is
An HRA is an employer-funded, tax-advantaged account that allows employer contributions to reimburse participants for eligible medical expenses. The IRS determines which expenses qualify.

How the HRA works
Since your contributing employer funds your account through pre-tax contributions, no participant contributions can be accepted. Each hour worked will earn a $0.20 contribution.

You’ll receive a Visa debit card from Optum that draws from your available HRA balance.

You can use the card for eligible expenses, such as medical, dental, and vision expenses, plus self‑pay or COBRA premiums. A full list of eligible expenses is in IRS publication 502: irs.gov/publications/p502

The HRA is designed to supplement your group health plan by covering out‑of‑pocket costs the plan doesn’t pay.

Eligibility
You must remain in Good Standing to use your HRA for yourself and eligible dependents. If you stop working but stay in Good Standing with the MACRC, you may continue using the account until the balance reaches zero.

Your employer contributes to your HRA for every hour of covered work, your balance grows over time, and beginning October 1, 2026, you can use those funds tax‑free for qualified health expenses as long as money is available.

More details will be shared in late summer or early fall. HRA funds cannot be accessed before October 1, 2026.