Pretax commuter benefits for CNAs, MAs, and home health aides
Certified nursing assistants, medical assistants, and home health aides can use Alice to run transit and qualified parking pretax. They save about 20% on those dollars. Actual savings depend on your tax situation.
There is no up-front employer cost to the clinic, home health agency, or skilled nursing facility.
Why healthcare employers offer Alice
Frontline healthcare roles like CNAs, MAs, and home health aides carry high turnover. Commute costs fall disproportionately on the worker. A pretax commuter benefit is a retention tool that requires no up-front employer cost and no per-clinic HR lift.
There is no manual open enrollment to manage and no employee pre-funding. The employer keeps a reserve amount in its Alice plan account; it belongs to the employer and is not a fee.
Traditional providers were built for office workers: you pay up front and manage enrollment and payroll yourself. Setup starts with one call.
What healthcare aides get
Eligible W-2 aides get Alice Card, a Visa commercial credit card issued by Celtic Bank and powered by Stripe. Program funds are held at Fifth Third Bank, N.A. (Member FDIC).
They tap at transit fare gates, commuter rail vending, bus fareboxes, parking garages, parking lots, parking meters, and parking apps.
IRS 2026 limits are $340 per month for transit and $340 per month for qualified parking under Rev. Proc. 2025-32.
Commuter benefits cover the trip to a regular place of work and qualified parking. They do not cover mileage between client visits. Mileage reimbursement is a separate program.
Uber and Lyft are not IRS-eligible, with a narrow vanpool carve-out.
How healthcare payroll connections work
Alice connects to 30+ payroll providers, including ADP, UKG, Paylocity, Paycom, Paychex, Toast, and others. Healthcare employers commonly run UKG, ADP, or Paychex.
Per-diem and variable-hour aides are eligible on the same connection as full-time staff. Deductions post against actual pay period wages.
Setup speed
Setup starts with one call. Healthcare employers typically launch within two weeks of that call, depending on how quickly payroll credentials are shared.
How much CNAs, MAs, and aides actually save
A CNA commuting by bus on a $90 monthly pass saves about 20%, or roughly $18 per month. Actual savings depend on your tax situation.
An MA paying $150 monthly for clinic parking saves about $30 per month. A home health aide on a $130 transit pass saves about $26 per month. We label that take-home difference as cash back during enrollment.
FAQs for healthcare employers
Are per-diem aides eligible?
Yes. Eligibility tracks W-2 employment.
Do home health aides qualify for parking benefits at client homes?
Qualified parking under the federal commuter benefit rule (§132(f)) covers parking at or near the employer's place of business. Parking at private client homes is typically not covered. Confirm with your plan administrator.
Can a contractor (1099) enroll?
No. The IRS commuter benefit is W-2 only.
Talk to sales
sales@thisisalice.com or (929) 552-4625. Setup starts with one call.
Savings shown or implied — including any reference to "cash back" or take-home pay — are illustrative. Actual savings depend on your tax rate, benefit elections, and eligible spending each pay period. "Cash back" in Alice's materials refers to the federal, state, and FICA payroll taxes you don't pay on eligible commuter spending. It is income tax you keep, not a cash payment from Alice, your employer, or any third party. Alice does not provide cash back, rebates, or any direct financial benefit in connection with the Program. Alice does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult your own tax preparer, lawyer, or financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
Specific benefits, election rules, and run-out periods depend on your employer's plan design. Check with your HR team or plan administrator for details.
Figures shown are for the 2026 plan year and are set by the IRS. Limits are indexed annually by the IRS.
Pretax Hero Visa Commercial Card is powered by Stripe and issued by Celtic Bank. Program funds held at Fifth Third Bank, N.A. (Member FDIC). Use of card and program is subject to the cardholder terms and related agreements presented at issuance.
Trademarks, brands, and product names referenced in this article are the property of their respective owners. References are for descriptive purposes only and do not imply endorsement. For definitive information about a third party's products or services, contact that party directly.