During the Option Transfer Period, eligible adult children of NYSHIP enrollees can enroll in the Young Adult Option, and current Young Adult Option enrollees are able to switch plans. This option allows young adult children under the age of 30 to purchase their own NYSHIP insurance. The coverage for these young adult dependents will be at the full share individual rate, and each dependent will enroll in his or her own individual policy.

Coverage for young adults applies only to medical benefits. Enrollment in the NYS dental and vision plan is not available through this benefit. For additional information on the Young Adult Option, visit www.cs.ny.gov/yao.

Please note: young adult children of NYSHIP enrollees are eligible to continue coverage as dependents under the enrollees' family coverage up to age 26.

Empire Plan Annual Deductible
Effective January 1, 2013, annual deductibles for CSEA, NYSCOPBA, PEF, and M/C employees will be $1,000 per enrollee, $1,000 per enrolled spouse or domestic partner, and $1,000 for all dependent children combined. The annual deductible for UUP and PBANYS will increase to $417. These changes reflect the 4.2 percent increase in the medical care component of the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) for the period July 1, 2011, through June 30, 2012.

The annual deductible for calendar year 2013 will be reduced to $500 for CSEA, NYSCOPBA, PEF, and M/C employees in (or equated to) salary grade 6 or below on January 1, 2013.

Empire Plan Coinsurance
Effective January 1, 2013, the coinsurance maximum (out-of-pocket expenses) for the following employees will increase to reflect the change in the Consumer Price Index:

CSEA, NYSCOPBA, PEF, M/C: $3,000
UUP: $1,148
PBANYS: $919

The coinsurance maximum for calendar year 2013 will be reduced to $1,500 for CSEA, NYSCOPBA, PEF, and M/C employees in (or equated to) salary grade 6 or below as of January 1, 2013.

Note: there is no deductible or coinsurance when employees use the Empire Plan Participating Provider Network.

Please call Human Resource Management at ext. 4821 with questions.

The Internal Revenue Service has announced that effective January 1, 2013, the standard mileage reimbursement rate will be 56.5 cents per mile, an increase of 1 cent from the 2012 rate. Please refer to the IRS website for complete mileage information.

The 2013 Conference on Instruction and Technology (CIT), "Transformation in Higher Education: Sharing Ideas and Showing Results," will be held May 21–24, 2013, at the SUNY Institute of Technology at Utica/Rome. Abstracts may be submitted online at www.cit.suny.edu; deadline is January 18, 2013.

Presentation formats are Presentations, Panels, Demos, Workshops, Posters, Birds of a Feather, Special Interest Groups, and a new Ignite! session. Introductory, intermediate, and advanced levels.

Tracks:

• Open Up Education
• Bridging the Digital Divide through Emerging Literacies
• Developmental Education: Improving the Learning Continiuum
• Learners at the Center of Assessment
• Scaffolding Systemness

Publishing opportunities are available. See the CIT website for more information.

Sponsored by the Faculty Advisory Council on Teaching and Technology (FACT²).

The Buffalo State Nutrition Club presents the Festivus Holiday Jar Sale. Jars are decorated for Christmas or Hanukkah. Includes all dry ingredients, recipe, and gift tag. Easy to prepare. Makes the perfect gift! E-mail orders by Tuesday, December 4, to zambrapd01@mail.buffalostate.edu. We deliver!

• Choco-Ho-Ho-Ho Oatmeal Cookies (one large jar makes three dozen cookies) – $8
• Merry Minestrone Soup (serves two) – $5
• Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup (serves two) – $5

Nominations will be accepted through Monday, February 11, 2013, for the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Classified Service. This SUNY system-level award recognizes superior performance and extraordinary achievement by classified-service employees. Members of the Buffalo State community are encouraged to submit nominations for deserving colleagues.

The nomination form and award guidelines are available online.

Thank you.

As the holiday season approaches, let Buffalo State Catering cater your holiday party. Our professionally trained staff is ready to exceed your expectations and tend to every detail to meet your needs and take your event to the next level. Buffalo State Catering provides on- and off-campus catering. Book your next event by contacting Lindsey Syracuse, banquet coordinator, ext. 4128. View our menus on the Buffalo State Catering website.

Today is the open enrollment/change deadline for the following:

Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP): Eligible CSEA, PEF, and M/C employees may forfeit vacation or personal leave in exchange for a credit to be applied toward health insurance premiums in 2013. Please visit www.buffalostate.edu/offices/hr/pep.asp for program details.

2013 Flex Spending Account: Health Care Spending or Dependent Care Advantage Account. Enroll online at  www.flexspend.ny.gov or call (800) 358-7202.

Changes in health coverage for 2013: Employees may voluntarily cancel their health insurance coverage, change from family to individual coverage, or change their pretax contribution status for insurance deductions. A Health Insurance Transaction form is required to make these changes.

Please note: Employees who are enrolled in NYSHIP will have 30 days from the date the 2013 rates are approved and published to change their health insurance carriers.

Please call Human Resource Management at ext. 4821 if you have questions.

The open enrollment period for the 2013 Flex Spending Account (FSA) program ends today, November 30. You have until 10:00 p.m. to enroll in the two benefits offered: the Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount) and the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount).

The HCSAccount allows employees to set aside from $100 to $2,500 annually in pretax salary to pay for health-care expenses not reimbursed by health insurance.

The DCAAccount allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually in pretax salary for eligible child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses. The DCAAccount employer contribution will continue in 2013 for unions that participate in the program and have ratified contracts with the state. For employer contribution updates, please visit the FSA website.

Participants currently enrolled in the HCSAccount or DCAAccount must reenroll to continue benefits for 2013.

For program details or to enroll in the Flex Spending Account, visit www.flexspend.ny.gov  or call the FSA hotline at (800) 358-7202.

Today's deadline for 2013 enrollment will be strictly enforced.

Faculty and staff members, please take a few minutes to fill out a survey administered by students from assistant professor Ann Liao's SPC 307 course. Students are partnering with the Erie County Department of Health, which is conducting a survey to learn local professionals’ knowledge, perceptions, and concerns about our community's public health issues. Your opinion and input are crucial to the development of future public health objectives to identify and address gaps in services in the community. This information will be used for ongoing public health planning.

Thank you for your time. Please click here to access the survey.