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Today's Message

Posted: Monday, December 2, 2019

2020 Health Insurance Option Transfer Period: November 29-December 31

The Option Transfer Period is now open for employees who are enrolled in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) who wish to select a different health plan for the 2020 plan year. Employees have until Tuesday, December 31, to change their health insurance carrier or coverage election by completing a Health Insurance Transaction Form (PDF, 78 KB) and submitting it to the Employee Benefits Office in Cleveland Hall 410. The change will be effective December 26, 2019. 

During the Option Transfer Period, employees may change their NYSHIP option for the next plan year to one of the following:

  • The Empire Plan.
  • A NYSHIP Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Note: employees must live or work in the HMO’s service area.
  • The Opt-Out Program. Note: employees who are represented by UUP are not eligible to participate in this program.

The New York State Employee Benefits Division has announced the new health plan rates, which are posted on the Human Resources Management website and will also be mailed to employees’ home addresses.

The 2020 “Choices" booklet (PDF, 1.8 MB), which gives a comparison of the insurance plans, is also available for review.

The Option Transfer Period also allows employees to make the following changes to their health insurance coverage without a qualifying event:

  • Change from family to individual coverage
  • Voluntarily cancel coverage
  • Change pre-tax contribution program election

No action is required if employees wish to keep their current health insurance option.

Representatives from the Empire Plan, BlueCross BlueShield of WNY, and Independent Health will be on campus at Buffalo State's Health Benefits Fair on Tuesday, December 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Student Union Assembly Halls to answer questions about current health insurance plans and changes in coverage for 2020.

For additional information, please call the Employee Benefits Office at 878-4821.

Submitted by: Linda L Kravitz
Also appeared:
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
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