American Express Introduces New Healthcare Benefits Plus Card

Employees contribute pre-tax dollars through payroll deductions to their FSA account to fund qualified medical expenses, such as medical office visits, dental care, vision care, prescription drugs, deductibles and co-insurance payments. Cardmembers simply present the new Benefits Plus Card at any American Express accepting healthcare merchant location and the purchase amount is deducted directly from the FSA account.

With Benefits Plus, employees do not need to pay for qualified FSA healthcare expenses out of their own pockets and wait for reimbursement checks. In addition, they can track their account contributions and expenditures online and by phone.

"Consumers value flexibility and control when it comes to healthcare payments, and our new Benefits Plus Card gives them both with direct access to their funds and fewer required receipts," said David Bonalle, vice president of Advanced Payments at American Express. "Benefits Plus is another way we can help enhance consumers' choice and convenience by simplifying the administration of their healthcare reimbursement programs. We are pleased to work with PayFlex and WageWorks to bring this American Express product to market."

American Express has signed agreements with both PayFlex and WageWorks to provide the new Benefits Plus Card to corporations and their employees for whom PayFlex and WageWorks administer FSAs. As part of these agreements, PayFlex and WageWorks will manage the payments and claims process.

In addition to the Benefits Plus Card, American Express recently announced the American Express HealthPay Plus(SM) Card that provides easy access to the Health Savings Account funds. For more information about American Express healthcare payment offerings, visit http://www.americanexpress.com/healthpayplus.