The Daily Bulletin Archive

NYSHIP enrollees in the Pre-tax Contribution Program (PTCP) have until Sunday, November 30, to make the following changes for 2015 without a qualifying event:

• Change pre-tax status for insurance deductions
• Change from family to individual coverage
• Voluntarily cancel health insurance

Note: Unless you have a qualifying event, a waiting period still applies to enroll in health insurance for the first time, or to add previously eligible dependents to your coverage. For additional information, visit the SUNY benefits website.

Employees who wish to make the above changes to their coverage are encouraged to complete and return the NYS Health Insurance Transaction Form (PDF) to Cleveland Hall 410 as soon as possible.

Eligible NYSHIP enrollees have 30 days from the date the 2015 rates are published to

• change their NYSHIP health plan; employees may choose from the Empire Plan or one of the health maintenance organizations: Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY or Independent Health;
• change from a NYSHIP health plan to the Opt-Out Program;
• change from the Opt-Out Program to a NYSHIP health plan.

The Employee Benefits Office will announce the new health plan rates and deadline dates in the Daily Bulletin as soon as they are published. The New York State Employee Benefits Division will also mail information about the 2015 rates and deadline dates to enrolled employees' home addresses. The 2015 "Choices" booklet, a comparison of the insurance plans, will be available on the Human Resource Management website by early December.

Representatives from the Empire Plan, Blue Cross Blue Shield of WNY, and Independent Health will be at the NYS Health Benefits Fair on Thursday, December 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Butler Library 210 to answer questions about current health insurance plans and anticipated changes in coverage for 2015.

Please call the Employee Benefits Office at ext. 4821 with questions.