Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are at risk.

At least, that's the concern Ceridian Benefits Services has over the reforms Congress is considering to health care.

Thus, Ceridian is urging its clients and other supporters of FSAs to join with the company to help keep these popular accounts a viable option for American workers. Ceridian believes that the elimination or reduction of the tax savings that FSAs provide would make it more expensive for employees and their families to pay their out-of-pocket medical costs.

Ceridian won't let FSAs go down without a fight. According to Bart Valdez, executive vice president and general manager of Ceredian, the company is engaged in the legislative process to "ensure that our customers and their employees don't lose a valuable tool in managing their health care costs."

Valdez has contacted U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) to voice Ceridian's concerns. Ceridian also sent messages to its FSA customers based in states with senators on the Senate Finance Committee. The company will provide its clients with letters they can fax or email to their senators to urge them to keep FSAs intact. In addition, Ceridian has engaged a Washington, D.C., law firm to monitor the legislation.

Thirty million Americans use FSAs, which can save employees up to roughly 30 percent on out-of-pocket health care expenses, including prescriptions, co-pays, and preventive, dental and vision services.

The Senate Finance Committee is considering legislation that would cap the tax advantages for employer-provided health benefits, including the portion paid by employees. The proposed cap might cover employee contributions to FSAs. Although Ceridian would prefer to see no changes in tax law affecting FSAs, it will lobby for a separate FSA cap.

"There is a crucial difference between the costs of health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket health costs," Valdez said. "While we would prefer to see no changes in tax law affecting FSAs, if the committee decides to cap the tax exclusion for employer-provided health care coverage, then there should be a separate FSA cap or a specific FSA carve-out within the single cap."