Active Plan HRA

Active Plan HRA

Your SASMI benefits include a Healthcare Reimbursement Account (HRA) for eligible active members. An HRA is a special type of account that allows you to receive reimbursement for eligible healthcare expenses.

Your HRA is funded by employer contributions. In fact, 20% of your annual contributions are allocated to your Active Plan HRA. You can use those funds to help pay for prescription drug copays, allowable over-the-counter medical items, or eligible dental, vision or hearing expenses. And SASMI makes it easy—most members will receive a SASMI HRA debit card from HRA administrator, WEX, that can be used to pay for these expenses.

BIG News!

We’re excited to announce a new enhancement to the HRA. The Trustees have approved a 50% match on your HRA contribution as an annual “non-deduct” benefit. However, after reviewing SASMI’s financial position, the Trustees have approved a special 100% match for 2026! This means that your HRA allocation in late March or early April 2026 will include an additional 100%! For example, if your allocated employer contribution amount is $800, you’ll receive a match of $800 for a total of $1,600!

Note that for calendar year 2027, the match is scheduled to return to 50%.

How Your HRA Is Funded

If you’re eligible, SASMI will set up and maintain an HRA for you as an active member. To open an HRA, you must have enough employer contributions from the previous year to fund your account with a minimum of 250 credits. Note that each credit is equal to $1. Your account will be funded late March/early April each year with a percentage of the previous year’s employer contributions.

If you don’t need to use your reimbursement now, your HRA balance is there for you later. Your HRA is funded each year and can accumulate as long as you meet eligibility requirements. There is no use-it-or-lose-it rule. At retirement, any balance remaining in your active plan HRA rolls into your retiree HCRA.

Like all SASMI benefits, the Active Plan HRA is not a vested benefit and, while the Trustees don’t anticipate this happening, they can at any time discontinue the benefit or modify the value of the credits (currently $1 per credit) in your account.

Here’s an example of how the HRA works:

Sam had $3,000 in employer contributions in 2025. 20% of that amount—$600—is allocated to his HRA in the Spring of 2026. He also gets the special 2026 100% SASMI match, so he’ll get an additional $600 for a total of $1,200 as his opening balance.

 

Sam registers on the member portal to get his HRA debit card. He uses his debit card at the pharmacy and dentist’s office for eligible expenses totaling $300 in 2026, reducing his balance to 900 credits ($900).

 

The next year, he receives another $3,000 in employer contributions, so he’ll receive $600 to his HRA, along with SASMI’s 2027 match of 50%—$300. His new total balance will be $1,800.

 

If Sam doesn’t use his entire balance by the time he retires, his remaining HRA balance will go directly into his HCRA for use during retirement.

Using Your HRA

You can use the HRA to pay for eligible expenses for yourself and your dependents covered by your SMART health plan, prescription drugs, allowable over-the-counter medications and now dental, vision and hearing expenses. You can also use your HRA funds to purchase allowed everyday health items from a retail pharmacy or any eligible online FSA/HSA/HRA vendor, like the FSA store. Here’s a sample of what’s eligible:

• Prescription drugs
• Dental care, including cleanings, dental exams, fillings, and braces
• Eyeglasses, contact lenses, and exams
• First-aid supplies
• Aspirin, fever, and pain relievers
• Antacids
• Allergy and sinus medications and sprays
• Smoking cessation products
• Cold and cough medicine
• Hearing aids

Hang on to Your Receipts!

Be sure to keep your receipts from your purchase or service to substantiate your claim. Without itemized proof of purchase, you may be denied reimbursement or required to pay back the HRA.

The SASMI HRA Debit Card

To get an HRA debit card, you must first register for your card on the member portal. About two weeks after you register for a card, you will receive it from WEX, our HRA partner. Once you receive your card, activate it and start using it to pay for copay/coinsurance at the dentist or vision care provider’s office, medications and allowable health items at a drug store or grocery store pharmacy counter, or online at the FSA Store at fsastore.com. Note that a regular grocery or pharmacy checkout counter will not accept the card.

Need more detailed instructions about the debit card?

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Where You Can Use the Card

You can use the card at:

• Pharmacy counter of pharmacy
• Pharmacy counter of grocery store
• Provider’s office (dental, vision or hearing)
• Online at FSAstore.com

You cannot use the card at:

• Regular register or checkout at the pharmacy
• Regular register or checkout at the grocery store
• A store that does not accept debit cards and does not sell qualifying items

If You Are Not Able to Get a SASMI HRA Debit Card

If you are a participant in Locals 5, 15, 54, 67, 85, 214, 399, or 435, you will not receive an HRA debit card, but you can still use your HRA funds.

Why Am I Not able to Get an HRA Card?

Certain members have prescription drug coverage that presents a claims-processing technological complication. This prevents these participants from being able to use the HRA debit card.

What Do I Do Instead?

The good news is you can still use the HRA for your dental, vision, hearing, prescription and allowed over-the-counter expenses!

• Pay for your prescriptions as you currently do and submit your claim to your insurance carrier. When you receive your Explanation of Benefits (EOB), use the SASMI/HCRA mobile app to upload the EOB so that you can receive reimbursement.
• Pay for your dental, vision or hearing office visit as you currently do and submit your claim to your insurance carrier. When you receive your Explanation of Benefits (EOB), use the SASMI/HCRA mobile app to upload the EOB so that you can receive reimbursement.
• Upload your itemized receipt through the app to receive reimbursement for eligible over-the-counter items.

Spending Your HRA Dollars

Although most online pharmacies will allow purchases with your HRA debit card, the FSA Store is SASMI’s approved online merchant. You can shop for over-the-counter meds online and generally, the items sold there are pre-approved to use with an HRA. The FSA Store lets you set up automatic renewals and shipping for items you use often. Just provide your HRA card information and let your HRA pay for your health items.

If you’re not sure whether an item is eligible, use the SASMI/HCRA mobile app to scan the item to confirm before making a purchase.

Protecting Yourself Against Fraud

WEX and SASMI are dedicated to protecting your personal and financial information. However, data theft and fraud are problems everywhere and we are not immune from being hacked. To protect yourself and your HRA account:

• Don’t share your card or log in information with anyone
• Keep your card and personal information in a safe place, and
• Regularly review the debit card transactions on the SASMI/HCRA mobile app to double check that all purchases are legit.

If you see something that doesn’t look right, contact the Fund Office immediately.

Managing Your Account

Access to your account is available 24/7 by using the SASMI/HCRA mobile app or by calling SASMI and opting into the HRA Help Line at 800-858-0354. You’ll be able to:

• View (or hear) your account balance
• Review debit card transactions (if applicable)
• Request a new card if you lose it (if applicable)

Download the App!

Download the SASMI HCRA app (search “SASMI HCRA” in the App store). You’ll need to create an account and log in with your username and password. You can use the app to file claims, upload receipts, even scan item barcodes to find out if they’re eligible expenses.

HRA Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the SASMI Active Plan HRA?

The SASMI Active Plan HRA is an account that eligible members can use for reimbursement of certain medical expenses. It is funded with employer contributions received by SASMI and SASMI’s 50% match on those contributions (although there’s a one-time special 100% match for 2026). The Active Plan HRA is considered a “limited HRA,” which means that SASMI chooses the expenses that are eligible. Only eligible dental, vision and hearing services, prescription drugs and allowable over-the-counter medical items can be purchased through the Active Plan HRA.

When Is My Active Plan HRA First Available to Me?

For your Active Plan HRA to become available, you must have a total of at least 250 credits (currently $1 = 1 credit) allocated to you and you must be eligible for SASMI benefits, not have lost eligibility under the plan, not have terminated participation, and not have lost qualification for benefits. For details, see Active Plan Article II and Article XII.

How Is My Active Plan HRA Funded?

In late March/early April of each year, credits are added to your Active Plan HRA, based on the contributions SASMI receives for work you performed in the prior calendar year. Credits are determined in an amount equal to 20% of the contributions received by SASMI, and each credit is worth one dollar. Plus, SASMI matches the contribution amount at 50% (except in calendar year 2026 the match is 100%).

How Do I Access my HRA?

The Active Plan HRA is accessible to eligible members through a debit card administered by WEX, which eligible participants can use to pay for covered expenses. IMPORTANT: The debit card won’t automatically be sent to you. You must visit the member portal and register for it. Once you receive the debit card from WEX, the Active Plan HRA administrator, activate it and then you can start using it.

What Happens if I Lose My Card?

Call the SASMI HRA Help Line at 800-858-0354 to request a replacement card or request one using the mobile app.

Which Members Can’t Get an HRA Debit Card?

If you are a participant in Locals 5, 15, 54, 67, 85, 214, 399, or 435, an HRA debit card is not available to you.

Can I Still Use the HRA if an HRA Debit Card Is Unavailable to Me?

Yes! You can still use the HRA for your dental, vision, hearing, prescription and allowed over-the-counter expenses:

• Pay for your prescriptions as you currently do and submit your claim to your insurance carrier. When you receive your Explanation of Benefits (EOB), use the SASMI/WEX HCRA mobile app to upload the EOB so that you can receive reimbursement.
• Pay for your dental, vision or hearing office visit as you currently do and submit your claim to your insurance carrier. When you receive your Explanation of Benefits (EOB), use the SASMI/WEX HCRA mobile app to upload the EOB so that you can receive reimbursement.
• If you shop for eligible over-the-counter items, you’ll need to upload your itemized receipt through the app to receive reimbursement.
• Download the SASMI/HCRA app on the App Store or Google Play and use it to manage your HRA and get reimbursed.

What Types of Expenses Are Covered?

The SASMI HRA is considered a “limited HRA.” This means that only certain expenses are eligible—like prescription drugs, allowable over-the-counter medical items, dental, vision and hearing care expenses.

What Are Examples of Ineligible HRA Expenses?

Examples of ineligible items include diapers, hand lotion, cosmetics, general dental products such as standard toothpaste, general daily vitamins, and dietary supplements without a doctor’s note.

Why Isn’t My Debit Card Working?

Log in to the WEX Portal to view the status of your account. There are several reasons your card may not be working. For example:

• You may not have registered or activated your card.
• You may be trying to use your card for an ineligible expense.
• You may be using it at a regular pharmacy or grocery check-out counter instead of the pharmacy counter.
• You may not have enough funds available in your account to cover the expense.
• You may have lost eligibility in your local SMART Group Health and Welfare Plan.
• If there has been no activity on your card for 12 consecutive months, it will need to be re-activated.
• It card may be suspended because you have not provided an itemized receipt to substantiate your claim.

How Do I Reactivate My Card?

Log in to the WEX Portal to view the status of your account. If it’s your first time activating your card, visit the Member Portal to request activation. If it’s inactive but you’ve registered and activated your card, you have enough funds available in your account and you’re using it to pay for an eligible expense, contact SASMI via email at [email protected] or by calling 703-739-7250 to have a new card sent to you.

What’s My Card Balance?

Log in to the WEX Portal or the SASMI HCRA mobile app to view the status of your account.

Why Can’t I Make a Payment Over the Phone to Re-Activate My Card?

We are unable to process payments over the phone. Please login to your WEX Portal to view the status of your account. You can still receive reimbursement for an eligible HRA-account claim without your debit card. Simply pay the expense at your provider’s office, and upload your receipt and Explanation of Benefits (EOB) when you receive it using the SASMI HCRA app on your phone. If you’d prefer to submit your claim to the Fund Office, complete a claim form (available on the Member Portal), attach your EOB and proof of purchase, and send to SASMI via email at [email protected] or via US mail at SASMI Trust Fund, 3180 Fairview Park Drive, Suite 150, Falls Church, VA 22042.

Why Doesn’t My Card Work at My Local Pharmacy?

The card will not be accepted at locations that do not offer eligible goods and services, such as hardware stores, restaurants, bookstores, gas stations, and home improvement stores. Cards will also not be accepted at pharmacies, mail-order pharmacies, discount stores, department stores, and supermarkets that cannot identify HRA-eligible items at checkout. The card transaction may be declined.

All major stores will accept the card as payment (i.e., CVS, Walgreens, Costco).

What Do I Need to Submit?

We need some substantiating information to be able to reimburse you for an eligible expense from your HRA. What you need to submit depends on whether or not you’re using the SASMI HCRA app.

If you swiped your debit card for a purchase and submit through the app, you’ll need to upload your itemized receipt by taking a photo of it and uploading it to the app. The itemized receipt must show exactly what was purchased, the date, your name and the provider’s name.

If you’re submitting a claim for prescription drugs, dental, vision or hearing services, submit the Explanation of Benefit (EOB) along with proof of payment. If you’re not submitting through the app, you’ll need to complete a claim form (available on the member portal) along with your itemized receipts and proof of purchase and/or EOB.

Our standard processing time is 10-14 business days. Claims are processed in the date order they are received.

Why Do I Need to Provide Receipts?

Because you are only permitted to use your debit card for eligible expenses, the SASMI Fund Office needs to substantiate each expense you submit. When you pay for an eligible expense with your debit card, it’s easy. Just take a photo of your itemized receipt, and then go to the SASMI HCRA app, find your claim, and upload the photo.

If you do not use your debit card to pay for your expense, complete a claim form, available on the member portal, and attach an itemized invoice from the provider. It must be itemized so that it is clear that the reimbursement you are seeking is for an eligible expense.

How Long Does it Take to Get Reimbursed?

Our standard processing time is 10-14 business days. We apologize for the delay. Claims are processed in the date order they are received.

Why Was My Claim Denied?

You can check the status of your claim on the WEX Portal. If it was denied, it may be because you submitted a claim for an ineligible expense, you do not have enough funds available in your account to cover the expense, you submitted a duplicate claim, you submitted a claim for a dependent who is not on file or for a child who is older than 27 years old, you did not provide the required documentation, or your receipt is invalid.

How Do I Submit My Receipts?

Please login to your WEX Portal to view the status of your account and to submit/upload your receipt. You can also submit receipts for your HRA purchases to SASMI by taking photos of them and uploading them to the SASMI HCRA App, completing a paper claim form (available on the Member Portal) and mailing the form and itemized receipts to SASMI Trust Fund, 3180 Fairview Park Drive, Ste. 150, Falls Church, VA 22042, by uploading and emailing the claim form and itemized receipts to [email protected], or by faxing them to SASMI at 703-549-9613.

What is the password required to open the email regarding my WEX charge?

The password is the last four digits on your SASMI debit card.

Can I Use My Funds For My Family Members’ Expenses?

Yes. You can use these funds to pay for dental, vision and hearing expenses, prescription drugs and allowable over-the-counter medical items for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents if they are covered under your SMART health plan. We recommend updating your dependents on the member portal. Log in, click add/manage dependents, enter their information and upload the necessary documentation (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.). It’s that easy!

After I Begin Using my HRA, Are There Any Ongoing Eligibility Requirements to Meet?

Yes. You must be eligible for SASMI benefits and not have terminated participation. If you lose eligibility, then your HRA debit card will temporarily be unavailable for use until you regain eligibility.

Note: You will not lose the ability to use your HRA card simply because you are ineligible for other benefits under the 200% rule or because you are ineligible for supplemental unemployment or underemployment benefits based on a failure to work 10% of the applicable group hours.

If My Credit Balance Drops Below $250, Can I Continue to Use My HRA Debit Card?

Yes. Your HRA needs to be at least 250 credits for the account to become available the first time. After that, unless your account is suspended or forfeited you can continue to use the balance in your account.

What Happens if My HRA Balance Drops to $0?

There is no need to maintain a certain amount in the HRA. If your account balance drops to $0, your account will be inactive until the next late March/early April credit allocation, when your card will be reactivated and ready to use.

Is There Anything Else That Can Cause My HRA Card to Be Suspended or Inactivated?

Yes, in two circumstances:

• If you lose eligibility in your local SMART Group Health and Welfare Plan, your Active Plan HRA will be suspended.
• SASMI pays a monthly fee for each card. If there is no activity on your card for 12 consecutive months, your card will be inactivated, and you will be notified. You can call 800-858-0354 to get your card reactivated.

If My Card Is Suspended or Inactivated, Will I Get Future Allocations?

Yes. Each late March/early April, if you are eligible, an allocation will be made to your Active Plan HRA whether you have activated your HRA card or your HRA card has been suspended for inactivity. All allocated credits will remain available until used unless forfeited or otherwise lost.

Can I Lose (Forfeit) My Active Plan HRA Benefit?

Yes. As with all SASMI Active Plan benefits, your Active Plan HRA can be forfeited if you lose eligibility, terminate participation, or lose qualification for benefits, including if:

• You accept any employment in the sheet metal industry from an employer who is not party to a collective bargaining agreement with the international union or a local union;
• Your home local union takes an action that terminates or will at some future date terminate the provisions of the local union’s contracts; or
• You permanently cease employment in the sheet metal industry, accept permanent employment outside the sheet metal industry, whether or not you remain in your home local union, or become a partner or the sole proprietor of a business in the sheet metal industry.
• You transfer to a local union with no contracts or one with a contract only requiring contributions to HCRA-B, you will lose access to your Active Plan HRA. However, the remaining balance will be added to your Retiree HCRA at retirement if you are eligible.

What Happens to My Active Plan HRA if I Die?

If you have surviving dependents who were covered by your local SMART welfare plan, they can continue to use your Active Plan HRA as long as they remain covered. Your Active Plan HRA account balance will be forfeited if you die while an active participant and you don’t have any surviving dependents covered under your SMART welfare plan immediately prior to your death.

What Else Could Cause Me to Lose My Active Plan HRA?

Like all SASMI benefits, the Active Plan HRA is not a vested benefit and, while the Trustees don’t anticipate this happening, they can at any time discontinue the benefit or modify the value of the credits (currently $1 per credit) in your account.

Can I Choose to Let My Active Plan HRA Account “Grow” Without Using It?

Yes. You are not required to take the steps to get your HRA card nor are you required to use the benefit if you do have the card. There is currently no limitation on how large the account can grow.

Is the Allocation to My Active Plan HRA Treated as an Active Benefit?

Yes. When the Active Plan HRA allocation is made each late March/early April, the calculation of your active benefits taken will be increased by the amount of the HRA allocation for purposes of the 200% rule (100% if you have more than $125,000 in contributions). The allocations will also be counted as active benefits when your severance (if applicable) and retiree HCRA are calculated.

If I Don’t Use All of My Active Plan HRA, What Happens to the Balance?

Any Active Plan HRA balance remaining when you retire will continue to be available to you and your eligible dependents. The amounts from your Active Plan HRA, your retiree HCRA, and, if applicable, your service-based HCRA will all appear as a single account.