A Message from the Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
Colleagues:
Today begins my first full week of returning to the role of Acting ASD HA. I know you all share my appreciation and gratitude for Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez for his distinguished service, and wish him well in his retirement. It was a privilege to serve as his Principal Deputy, and now an honor to continue the work we began together. The responsibilities of this role are daunting, but I am heartened by the team we have in place and by my absolute confidence in you.
Dr. David Smith will once again assume the responsibilities of the Acting Principal Deputy ASD HA, and I thank him for his willingness to step into this role. Ms. Tracie Lattimore will be the Acting DASD for Health Readiness Policy and Oversight. Ms. Susan Orsega and Mr. Darryl Landreaux, current DASDs round out our leadership team, capably supported by all of you.
Whatever the results of the election tomorrow are, the challenges before the MHS will not change and we must stay the course, guided by our unwavering commitment to serving those entrusted to our care. With your help, the work we’ve begun to implement our strategy will continue, and the MHS will become stronger.
Finally, if you haven’t already voted, I urge you to exercise this most fundamental American right and let your voice be heard tomorrow at the polls.
Thank you again for all that you do in support of the Military Health System and our Warfighters. Your combined efforts truly make the difference.
V/R
Seileen
Seileen M. Mullen
Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs
New Benefits Alert! Flexible Spending Accounts for Service Members
Flexible Spending Accounts allow Service members to set aside a portion of their pay before taxes are deducted, to pay for dependent care and health care expenses.
There are two types of FSAs:
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA): DCFSAs allow Service members to set aside between $100 – $5,000 per household in pre-tax earnings each year to pay for expenses such as day care, preschool, Child Development Center (CDC) fees, and elder care. DCFSAs support Service members and families to allow them (and their spouse if married) to work, look for work, or attend school full time.
Enroll in a DCFSA during Federal Benefits Open Season, November 11 to December 9, 2024, at https://www.fsafeds.gov/enroll.
To continue using a DCFSA, you must re-enroll during 2024 Federal Benefits Open Season.
Coming Soon! Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSA). HCFSAs allow Service members to set aside between $100 – $3,200 per household in pre-tax earnings each year to pay for health care expenses such as co-pays, cost-shares, deductibles, glasses, braces, and more.
Enroll in an HCFSA for the first time in Spring 2025 during a special enrollment period for Service members from March 3 – 31, 2025.
Am I eligible for an FSA? Find out about eligibility and more at https://finred.usalearning.gov/FSA.
Do you need more information to determine if this benefit is right for you and your family? Free personal financial managers and counselors are available to you through Military OneSource (800-342-9647) and at your local military installation (https://finred.usalearning.gov/pfcMap.)
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Delivered by Defense Finance and Accounting Service
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