Program Details

Overview

Welcome to your Wellthy Backup Care benefit! With this benefit, you receive a flexible annual allowance to help you manage family care needs and unexpected schedule disruptions. When your regular caregiver is unavailable you can draw from your Wellthy Wallet balance to cover it.

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‍What’s included with Backup Care? 

IFP employees receive 20 backup care credits per calendar year. From September 28, 2026, through December 31, 2026, you are eligible for a prorated total of 7 care credits. Your balance will reset to 20 credits on January 1, 2027.

You can mix and match credits across any of the following needs:

• Child Care: Temporary coverage for children under 18 when your regular caregiver is unavailable while you are scheduled to work.
• Adult Care: Temporary coverage for disabled or elderly adult dependents when your regular caregiver is unavailable while you are scheduled to work.

Important Rules for Using Your Care Credits

• Your Wellthy Wallet: You will receive 20 care credits per calendar year to divide across child and adult care. For the remainder of 2026, you will have 7 care credits, and your balance will reset to 20 care credits on January 1, 2027.  Unused credits do not roll over.
• Who can provide care: For Backup Care, you can choose vetted options through Wellthy’s Care Network (in-home caregivers, daycares, and community programs) or use Out-of-Network options (your own preferred professional caregivers, agencies, or centers). 
• Backup Care credit definition: 
  
  • Half Day of Backup Care: Up to 4 hours of care counts as half of a credit
  • Full day of Backup Care: More than 4 hours of care and up to 8 hours of care counts as 1 credit

Costs and Coverage

IFP subsidizes your backup care costs to make quality care accessible. If the cost of care exceeds the daily subsidy provided by IFP, you are responsible for the remaining balance. See below for the coverage overview based on provider type:   

• In-Network Providers: Covered up to $325/day.
• Out-of-Network Providers: Reimbursement up to $325/day.

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How Out-of-Network (OON) reimbursement works:

To submit a reimbursement claim after paying your provider, please make sure your submission includes:

• Proof of Payment: A credit card receipt, cancelled check, or bank transfer confirmation (including digital confirmation screenshots from apps like Venmo or Zelle).
• Caregiver Information: Name and relationship to the member (note: caregivers cannot be a spouse, dependent, grandparent or family member).
• Care Details: Dates of care, total hours provided, and the name of the dependent receiving care.

You have 30 days from the date of care to submit your reimbursement request. Once the appropriate documentation is submitted, a Backup Care Specialist will review it and if approved, you’ll receive your reimbursement within 5–7 business days.

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Getting Started

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Activate your Wellthy account 

1. Click ‘Activate my account’ above to get started.
2. Sign up with your work email address and create a password of your choice.

Tips for first-timers!  

If you think you’ll use this benefit at some point, register in advance to save time when you actually need care! Get ahead of emergencies and proactively: 

• Enroll your care recipients into Wellthy’s Backup Care program
• Add your banking and credit card information into your Wellthy Wallet
• Add any preferred providers to your Backup Care Circle to have on speed dial
• Put in a backup care request for upcoming care needs
• Explore additional Wellthy family support benefits

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How do I get in touch with Wellthy?

Backup Care Specialists are available 24 hours, 7 days/week if you need to request care. When you’re logged in to your Wellthy account, you can message our team on our digital platform. To schedule Backup Care over the phone, please call (877) 588-3917. If you haven’t set up Backup Care or need a helping hand getting set up, please email us at support@wellthy.com. 

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Wellthy Care Network and Providers

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What kinds of providers will I find in Wellthy’s Care Network?

All types! Wellthy’s Care Network is designed to offer a wide range of solutions tailored to your unique situation. Whether you're looking for convenient local providers, in-home support, enriching activities for your kids (think Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA programs, arts and crafts, and more!), reliable babysitters, nannies, private caregivers, or trusted daycare options (both centers and home-based), Wellthy has you covered. Explore the possibilities and find the perfect fit for your family!

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Will I have options, or will I have to use a certain provider?

You will never be required to use a particular provider for backup care. Wellthy has created a Care Network of different types of vetted options for you to choose from and our Backup Care Specialists are here to help you find the best-fit provider with availability. You can also use your own out-of-network providers (who are not your regular caregivers) for backup care. Proof of payment and documentation that care took place will be required to receive reimbursement.

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How do I know that the providers in Wellthy’s Care Network are high-quality, safe, and reliable?

Wellthy’s Care Network of backup care options are vetted providers that go through a rigorous screening process. 

• Center-based care: Wellthy verifies state and federal licensing, considers online reviews across multiple platforms and calls providers to confirm best fit.
• Community-based activities and programs: Similar to the above, Wellthy assesses online reviews, contacts providers to ensure good fit, and checks licensing where applicable.
• In-home providers: A thorough review of past experience and comprehensive background checks (criminal, sex offender, SSN trace, global watchlist) is conducted.

Please note: Wellthy does not directly employ or oversee any provider within an employee’s personal network. If employees use a caregiver or center from their out-of-network, they are fully responsible for all vetting and verifying. Wellthy does not take responsibility for the final selection, whether they are sourced by Wellthy, the family, or through other means.

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Tax Considerations

It may be that you are able to claim federal, state or local tax credits relating to the childcare expenses covered by the income imputed by your employer. Please note that Wellthy is not qualified to provide personal tax advice. For guidance on your specific tax situation, we recommend consulting a tax advisor.

For questions regarding your tax withholding, please contact your HR Team at IFP. 

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Can I request a summary of my backup care uses? 

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Yes, Wellthy Wallet makes it easy to see your current and future credit balances for backup care and academic support. If you need more detail into each backup care use, you can visit your Backup Care Dashboard and click on past events to view a summary of the care provided, including the date and time, care recipients, provider details, and a breakdown of costs.

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Backup Care Allowance

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If I have care credits left over at the end of the year can I roll them over to the next year?

No, unused care credits do not roll over. You’ll receive a new set of credits each year based on IFP’s program. 

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What if my spouse/partner and I work for the same company?

You and your partner are both eligible for your individual allowance. Each employee would need to set up their profile within the Wellthy platform.

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How can I use my allowance for multiple kids or needs?

You can flexibly divide your 20 annual care credits across backup care and academic support. Here are some examples as to how care credits are deducted based on different needs:

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Backup care for 2 children

• In-home care (1 caregiver for both kids) = 1 care credit
• Center-based care (both kids at a center) = 2 care credits (centers charge per child)

Backup care for 3 children

• In-home care (1 caregiver for all 3 kids) = 1 care credit 
• Center-based care (all 3 kids at a center) = 3 care credits (centers charge per child)

Please note: These are general examples, and provider requirements may vary. Wellthy will share credit deductions before you book care.

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Cancellation Policy

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Please note that cancellation policies vary per provider. Wellthy will provide clear expectations around each of the providers cancellation policies when booking care so you know in advance.

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If you need to cancel backup care more than 24 hours before the scheduled care start time:

As long as the cancellation occurs within the provider’s cancellation policy, you can ask your Backup Care Specialist to cancel or contact the provider directly to cancel. 

• You will not be charged a care credit.
• In some cases, providers may request payment in advance of care to hold the spot. Wellthy will provide clear expectations around each of the providers cancellation policies when booking care so you know in advance. 
• Backup Care Specialists will request a refund from the provider; however, a refund is not guaranteed.

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If you need to cancel backup care less than 24 hours before the scheduled care start time:

You can ask your Backup Care Specialist to cancel or contact the provider directly to cancel.

• You will be charged for one care credit
• In some cases, providers may request payment in advance of care to hold the spot. Wellthy will provide clear expectations around each of the providers cancellation policies when booking care so you know in advance.

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What if the provider cancels my confirmed reservation?

Your Backup Care Specialist will make every effort to secure care for you promptly. In these situations, we encourage you to leverage your own out-of-network providers for added support.

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If care was not secured after the cancellation:

• You will not be charged for a care credit
• All payments will be refunded back according to the type of payment made.

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FAQs 

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Can Wellthy’s Backup Care Specialists find and schedule backup care for me?

Yes! Backup Care Specialists are here to help you find and secure care when you need care. They can also proactively help you build a list of potential options for when the time comes — this is called building your Backup Care Circle. Backup Care Specialists are available 24 hours, 7 days/week. You can message us directly through the platform or call (877) 588-3917.

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What’s a Backup Care Circle? And how do I build a Backup Care Circle? 

A Backup Care Circle is like a ‘speed dial’ of your friends, preferred and vetted providers. It’s a great planning tool you can turn to when you have to schedule an urgent or planned backup care need. On your dashboard, click “Build your Backup Care Circle.” From there you will be given options to add your own providers (friend, neighbor, babysitter, etc.) or choose from Wellthy’s Care Network (for Backup Care needs). 

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Can I provide feedback about my care experience using Wellthy’s Care Network?

Once the care event is completed, connect with your Backup Care Specialist for any immediate feedback you would like to share. You will also receive a Wellthy survey by email.

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Is backup care only for when I am at work?

Yes, backup care helps you cover unexpected gaps in your regular care, allowing you to come to work without needing to use your sick leave or vacation time.

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Can I utilize backup care for my loved one who has different abilities (e.g., neurodivergence, physical limitations, etc.)?

Yes, Wellthy can help locate appropriate options for your loved one with diverse needs.

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If my child is sick, can I use backup care?

Yes, you can use backup care when your child is sick, but there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Most group care settings, like daycare centers, programs, and clinics, won’t accept children who are minorly ill or have an injury (e.g., fever above 100°F, a mild cold, cough, sniffles, or a minor injury) 
• In-home care can be a great option as long as the caregiver understands your child is mildly ill and the caregiver is comfortable with your child’s condition.

In these moments your out-of-network providers are also great options. We encourage families to tap into your out-of-network providers and proactively build their Backup Care Circle when possible. Don’t forget, Backup Care Specialists are here to help you build a reliable backup care plan for your family!

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