How long do employees have to submit ICHRA reimbursement claims?

Employees must submit reimbursement requests within the timeframes established in the employer's ICHRA plan documents. Missing these deadlines means forfeiting the reimbursement, even if the expense was valid and the employee had available allowance.

Typical submission windows

Employers define their own claims submission procedures, which generally include:

During the plan year: Employers may specify how frequently employees should submit claims—monthly, quarterly, or on another schedule. Some plans allow employees to accumulate expenses and submit them in batches, while others encourage regular submission.

Run-out period: Most ICHRA plans include a run-out period after the plan year ends, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days. During this window, employees can submit claims for expenses incurred during the prior plan year. Once the run-out period closes, unreimbursed expenses from that plan year are no longer eligible.

What happens if an employee misses the deadline?

If an employee does not submit a claim within the allowed timeframe, they lose the opportunity to be reimbursed for that expense—regardless of whether the plan allows rollover of unused funds. Rollover policies apply to allowance amounts that haven't been claimed against, not to missed submission deadlines for incurred expenses.

Best practice for employees

Employees should familiarize themselves with their ICHRA's submission requirements and build a habit of submitting claims regularly. Waiting until year-end or the run-out period creates risk of missed deadlines or forgotten expenses.