Open enrollment for the 2023 NYS Flex Spending Account (FSA) ends today, December 12, at 11:59 p.m. The program helps eligible state employees save money on necessary health- or dependent-care expenses because the money set aside in these accounts is not subject to federal, state, or Social Security taxes. 

The Flex Spending Account offers three benefits:

The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) lets you set aside any amount from $100 to $2,850 for the 2023 plan year to pay for health-care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance or other benefit plan. Note: only medically necessary medical, hospital, dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents can be reimbursed by your HCSA.

The Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) allows your family to set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax dollars for eligible custodial child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses that are necessary for you and your spouse, if you are married, to work.

The Adoption Advantage Account allows employees to set aside up to $15,590 to pay for expenses related to the adoption of an eligible child with pre-tax dollars. This benefit is available to M/C employees and those represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP, NYSCOPBA, and PBA.

Complete information on the Flex Spending Account can be found on the Governor's Office of Employee Relations website. If you wish to take advantage of this benefit, please submit your application for enrollment online or by phone at (800) 358-7202. You will need your NYS employee ID number, which is located on your pay stub, to complete your application. The Department Number is 28160. This is a new vendor, so you will need to set up a new account. If you are enrolled for the 2022 plan year, you must re-enroll to continue your benefits in 2023.

Important note: Employees who do not work for 26 consecutive pay periods should consider electing a shorter time frame for their deductions so that they do not lose coverage while off the payroll. For example, faculty members who are not paid through the summer should elect to have all deductions taken in the spring semester to have coverage for all of 2023. You must call the vendor after setting up your account to make this election.

Today’s deadline of 11:59 p.m. for 2023 enrollment will be strictly enforced.

Open enrollment for the 2023 NYS Flex Spending Account (FSA) ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 12. The program helps eligible state employees save money on necessary health- or dependent-care expenses because the money set aside in these accounts is not subject to federal, state, or Social Security taxes. 

The Flex Spending Account offers three benefits:

The Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) lets you set aside any amount from $100 up to $2,850 for the 2023 plan year to pay for health-care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance or other benefit plan. Please note: only medically necessary medical, hospital, dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug expenses for you, your spouse, and your eligible dependents can be reimbursed by your HCSA.

The Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) allows your family to set aside up to $5,000 in pre-tax dollars for eligible custodial child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses that are necessary for you and your spouse, if you are married, to work.

The Adoption Advantage Account allows employees to set aside up to $15,950 to pay for expenses related to the adoption of an eligible child with pre-tax dollars. This benefit is available to M/C employees and those represented by CSEA, PEF, UUP, NYSCOPBA, and PBA.

Complete information on the Flex Spending Account can be found on the Governor's Office of Employee Relations website. If you wish to take advantage of this benefit, please submit your application for enrollment online or by phone at (800) 358-7202. You will need your NYS EMPLID number, which is located on your pay stub, to complete your application. The Depart Number is 28160. Please note: This is a new vendor, so you will need to set up a new account. Please be sure to enroll by December 12. If you are enrolled for the 2022 plan year, you must re-enroll to continue your benefits in 2023.

Important note: Employees who do not work for 26 consecutive pay periods should consider electing a shorter time frame for their deductions, so they do not lose coverage while off the payroll. For example, faculty members who are not paid through the summer should elect to have all deductions taken in the spring semester to have coverage for all of 2023.

The 2023 enrollment deadline of 11:59 p.m. Monday, December 12, will be strictly enforced.

The annual Option Transfer Period—the time to choose the health insurance option you want for 2023—closes Friday, December 30. The New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) offers employees the choice of the Empire Plan or a NYSHIP-approved health maintenance organization (HMO) serving the area where they live or work.

If you are considering changing your health insurance option for 2023 or wish to review your current option, the "Choices" booklet (PDF, 1.5 MB) explains the available NYSHIP options. You can find the "Choices" booklet and other option transfer publications on the NYSHIP Online website. Select your group and plan when prompted, then select Health Benefits and Option Transfer, and choose Rates and Health Plan Choices for the most up-to-date option transfer information.

Rate information was sent directly to enrollees' homes. Information is also available on the Buffalo State Benefits website.

Copies of the Summary of Benefits and Coverage for individual health plans can be obtained by calling (877) 769-7447 or by visiting the Employee Benefits Division Website to print or view a copy yourself.

If you have coverage under another employer-sponsored health insurance program, you may be eligible to opt out of NYSHIP coverage in exchange for an incentive payment. If you are interested in participating in the Opt-Out Program for 2023, please contact the Employee Benefits Office. It is no longer necessary to re-enroll in the Opt-Out Program each year. No action is required for current Opt-Out enrollees who are still eligible and wish to remain in the program for 2023.

Except under limited circumstances, you cannot change options outside the annual Option Transfer Period, which ends on December 30.

Other changes permitted during the Option Transfer Period without a qualifying event:

• Change from family to individual coverage
• Voluntarily cancel your coverage
• Change your tax-election option (pre-tax to after-tax or after-tax to pre-tax)

To change your health insurance during the Option Transfer Period, please return the completed and signed Health Insurance Transaction Form (PDF, 78 KB) to the Employee Benefits Office, Cleveland Hall 403, by 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 30. You may also change your option online using MyNYSHIP. All changes will be effective Thursday, January 5, 2023.

No action is required if you wish to keep your current health insurance option.

Please contact the Benefits Office, (716) 878-4821, with questions.

Today is the last day to enroll in the Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP) for 2023. PEP allows eligible CSEA, UUP, PEF, and M/C employees to exchange previously accrued vacation or personal leave for a credit toward their biweekly New York State health insurance costs. Sick leave credits cannot be exchanged under this program.

To participate, eligible employees must file an election form with the Human Resource Management Office, Cleveland Hall 403, by 5:00 p.m. today. Employees who participated in PEP for 2022 must file a new election form to re-enroll in the 2023 program. Details and enrollment forms can be found on the Human Resource Management website.

For program details, please select your bargaining unit:

• CSEA Program Details (PDF, 248 KB) and Election Form (PDF, 225 KB)
• UUP and M/C Program Details (PDF, 82 KB) and Election Form

I extend my best wishes and gratitude to Patricia Alessandra, who will retire from her position on January 3, 2023, after 31 years as an exemplary member of Buffalo State.

Ms. Alessandra, senior staff associate in the Academic Affairs Office, is the commencement director for academics. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in journalism cum laude from Buffalo State in 1987 and won the Female Alumni Scholar Athlete Award in 1987 as a member of the women’s swim team. She earned a graduate certificate in creative studies and served on the department’s alumni Creative Connections group and taught an undergraduate foundation course in creative studies.

Ms. Alessandra returned to her alma mater in 1991 as development events coordinator, responsible for cultivation and fundraising events, as well as supporting publications and foundation annual reports. She progressed into various roles coordinating campuswide events. She was senior assistant to the vice president for institutional advancement; interim assistant vice president for institutional advancement reporting to the vice president for finance and management and overseeing the Alumni Affairs Office and Institutional Advancement functions; and director of college relations, providing leadership in developing and implementing the college’s first strategic marketing program for community relations and enrollment management.

In 2000, she transitioned from full-time work to a part-time position in the Academic Affairs Office so that she could raise her family while continuing her career at Buffalo State. She provided leadership in planning and executing Commencement ceremonies and related functions under the purview of Academic Affairs while providing liaison relationships with other offices; developed content and maintained publications, communications, and the web presence for the Academic Affairs Office; produced noncurricular content sections of the undergraduate and graduate catalogs; and supported campuswide events, including Honors Convocation and the Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony. 

Ms. Alessandra has served on numerous committees during her career at the college. Her longstanding and much-appreciated committee service includes the College Senate Standards for Students Committee, the President’s Medal and SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence Selection Committee, and the Commencement Committee. Additional current committee service included the Employee Assistance Program Committee, the Commencement Operations Group, and the Buffalo State Community Emergency Response Team. With a lifelong commitment to community service, she has served numerous educational, nonprofit, and church organizations, including the WNY Alzheimers’s Association as co-chair of the Buffalo Walk to End Alzheimer’s with her husband, Michael, where they remain active volunteers.

Please join me in thanking Patricia Alessandra for her outstanding work and commitment to Buffalo State. We wish her all the best in retirement.

The Buffalo State Athletics Department will host a coed intramural volleyball tournament on Wednesday, December 7, starting at 6:30 p.m. Interested students should register on the Athletics website.

Please join us for "Restoration and Resolve: Guided Yoga Nidra Meditation," facilitated by Melissa Meehan, web administration director, on Wednesday, December 7, from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. via Teams.

Yoga nidra, or yogic sleep, is a practice that invites us into the state between wakefulness and sleep. This powerful meditation technique draws on the yogic limb pratyahara (withdrawal of senses) and can be surprisingly helpful for reducing stress and mitigating feelings of depletion. Further, yoga nidra's use of the sankalpa, or heart's intention, is an interesting exercise in uncovering what we truly yearn for in our lives. Please prepare a warm, comfortable place where you can rest in savasana during this extended guided meditation; your comfort is key.

For more information and to register, please visit the Workshop Registration System.

The Young Adult Option 2023 open enrollment period for eligible adult children of New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) enrollees is December 1–31. The New York State Health Insurance Program allows a young adult child up to age 30 to purchase coverage through his or her parent's group health insurance policy.

The Young Adult Option is for medical coverage only; dental and vision coverage is not included. Under the law, the young adult's coverage is subject to all terms of the group policy; however, premiums are to be paid by the young adult or his or her parent, not the employer. The premium is the full cost of individual coverage for the NYSHIP option selected.

Eligibility Criteria
The Young Adult Option is available to young adults who meet all of the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a child, adopted child, or stepchild of a NYSHIP enrollee (including those enrolled under COBRA)
• Be age 29 or younger
• Be unmarried
• Not be insured by or eligible for coverage through the young adult's own employer-sponsored health plan
• Live, work, or reside in New York State or the plan's service area
• Not be covered under Medicare

In addition, the young adult does not need to live with the parent, be financially dependent on the parent, or be a student. A young adult's eligibility for health insurance coverage through a former employer under federal COBRA or state continuation coverage does not disqualify the young adult from electing this option under NYSHIP. Children of the young adult are not eligible for coverage under this option but may be eligible for health insurance coverage under other programs, such as the Child Health Plus Program. The young adult's parent does not need to have family coverage, nor is the young adult required to have been previously covered as a dependent under NYSHIP, to be eligible to enroll.

For more information or to enroll a young adult child, please visit the Department of Civil Service website.

We're cutting prices in the Barnes & Noble at Buffalo State Bookstore! Our biggest sale of the year. Select items are 50 percent off. Stop in and get some holiday shopping done or snag a few items for yourself. Items won't last long at these prices, so come in and see us soon.

We are also still running our buy one-get-one-free sale, and our 25 percent off clearance section has grown. If you haven't been in the store in a while, please stop in. We would love to see you. 

Not only does our clearance section keep growing, but our collection of games, puzzles, and general reading books has been getting bigger, too. Choose from classics like Risk, Monopoly, and Trouble or new games like What Do You Meme? and Unstable Unicorns. There is something for everyone.

 Your one-stop shopping center can be found right here at the Buffalo State Bookstore!

The English Department book sale will continue through CEP week. Stop by to browse for stocking stuffers, and get something for yourself! Proceeds benefit English Department student travel and research; prices from 25 cents to $2. Cash or Venmo accepted. The sale continues Monday, December 5, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.; Tuesday, December 14, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.; and Wednesday, December 15, from 11:00 a.m. to noon.