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OCTOBER 2010
SEPTEMBER 2010
- Update: Coverage for Your Young Adult Children
- 2011 NYS Flex Spending Account Open Enrollment Campaign
AUGUST 2010
MAY 2010
- Special Deductions for Summer Health Insurance Coverage
- Extending Health Insurance Coverage to Dependent Students
MARCH 2010
FEBRUARY 2010
JANUARY 2010
DECEMBER 2009
NOVEMBER 2009
SEPTEMBER 2009
IN THE SPOTLIGHT ARCHIVE
New York State Health Insurance Program Dependent Eligibility Verification Project
NYS Flex Spending Account Benefit Updates
Extending Health Insurance Coverage to Dependent Students
Introducing NYS Balance
EatWell.LiveWell Challenge
Enroll in TIAA CREF Online!
Introducing NYS Ride
Tax-Deferred Contributions for 2009
Health Insurance Option Transfer Period 2008
SUNY Perks
NYS 529 College Savings Plan
2008 TRS Pre-Retirement Seminars and One-on-One Schedule
2009 NYS Flex Spending Open Enrollment Period
Productivity Enhancement Payment
ORP Elimination of the Required 3% Employee Contribution after Ten Years of Membership
UUP Benefit Trust Fund Announces Change of Dental Carriers
New Flex Spending Participant Login is Launched
Option Transfer Period 2008 -- Dates Announced
NYS Flex Spending 2008
MyNYSHIP Login Instructions
SUNY Optional Retirement Program Enhancements
October 2010
Covering Your Young Adult Children
NYSHIP RESOURCES
Covering Your Young Adult Children
PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT
Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), your young adult children can be covered on your health insurance plan up to age 26. Financial dependency, student status, marital status, employment and residency can no longer be used to determine eligibility. Although the new law extends coverage to married children, it does not apply to their spouse or children.
NYSHIP COVERAGE OF CHILDREN TO AGE 26
Effective January 1, 2011, the eligibility rules for covering dependents under the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) will change to allow an enrollee's child to continue coverage as an eligible dependent up to age 26.
Please Note:
- The extension of coverage to age 26 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) does not apply to dental and vision coverage. The same eligiblity rules and required proof of full-time student status is still required for dental and vision benefits.
- Also, beginning January 1, 2011, dependent children will be eligible for coverage under NYSHIP through the end of the month in which they reach age 26.
SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD
Beginning November 1, 2011 and continuing through the end of the option transfer period, enrollees can add their young adult children who are under the age of 26 as dependents to their NYSHIP coverage. Coverage will be effective on January 1, 2011.
To add a young adult child:
- complete and sign the Young Adult Dependent form found on page 6 of the Covering Your Young Adult Children flier,
- attach proper documentation for your young adult dependent (birth certificate, Social Security card, PS 457 if required),
- and return your completed form and documentation to Human Resources, Erwin 219.
Please Note:
- An adult child under the age of 26 who is currently enrolled as a
dependent under their parent's family coverage on January 1, 2011 will
continue to be covered to age 26; no action is required by the enrollee.
- For enrollees requesting to add yound adult dependents after the special enrollment period has ended, normal waiting periods apply and the effective date of coverage will be based upon the date of first eligiblity and date of request.
- Adult children who are currently enrolled in either COBRA continuation coverage or the Young Adult Optioin through NYSHIP will be required to indicate on the enrollment form if they wish to cancel the current coverage.
***Cancellation of coverage is not automatic.***
HEALTH PLAN RATES
When you add your young adult dependent to your family coverage, there is no additional premium cost to you. If you currently have individual coverage, you will need to change to family coverage which does cost more than individual coverage. View the current rates at: 2010 Health Plan Rates. Health Plan Rates for Option Transfer Period 2011 have not yet been issued; this information is usually available in late November.
September 2010
Update: Coverage for Your Young Adult Children
As a result of the federal health care reform legislation, your young adult child under age 26 who is not eligible for health insurance through his or her own employer may be eligible to be enrolled as a dependent under your New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) family coverage effective January 1, 2011, regardless of his or her student status or marital status.
The federal law provisions require health insurance plans to cover dependents up to age 26 as of September 23, 2010 or the next plan renewal date, whichever is later. For NYSHIP, the earliest date of coverage will be January 1, 2011 (the new plan year).
Watch your mailbox this fall for a NYSHIP Special Report with details on eligibility requirements, enrollment instructions and the special enrollment period for young adult children that is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2010. This Special Report will also provide you with information on the NYSHIP Young Adult Option coverage available to your children up to age 30.
Under NYS law, young adult children of NYSHIP enrollees up to age 30 may enroll in the Young Adult Option (with their own separate coverage and premiums) at any time during the special enrollment period that ends December 31, 2010.
September 2010
2011 NYS Flex Spending Account Open Enrollment Campaign
2011 PLAN YEAR RESOURCES
Printable NYS Flex Spending Account Brochure - Click Here
2011 Flex Spending Account Enrollment Information - Click Here
NOTE: Healthcare Spending Account -- 2011 Plan Year Changes
Effective January 1, 2011, over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, medicines, and biologicals require a doctor's prescription or directive to be eligible for reimbursement under the HCSAccount. For more information, visit: 2011 Over-the-Counter Drug Expenses.
NEW NYS FLEX SPENDING ADMINISTRATOR
ASIFlex will be the new FSA administrator beginning January 1, 2011. To access your account in the 2011 plan year visit my.asiflex.com. If you haven't registered, you will need your Flex Pin that ASIFlex will mail to you with your welcome packet. If you lose your PIN, you can contact ASIFlex's customer service center at 1.800.358.7202 from 7 am to 9 pm Monday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm on Saturday for assistance beginning January 1, 2011.
ENROLLMENT PERIOD
Enrollment begins on September 20, 2010 and ends November 15, 2010.
2011 Open Enrollment Calendar - Click Here.
PAPERLESS ENROLLMENT
Enroll online at www.flexspend.ny or by calling the toll-free hotline at 800.358.7202. For additional tips and information for successful enrollment - Click Here.
Please Note: if you are currently enrolled in a Flex Spending Account for plan year 2010, you must re-enroll to continue participation for plan year 2011.
BENEFIT OVERVIEW
The Flex Spending Account (FSA) is a state employee benefit that saves you money by allowing you to pay for certain expenses with pre-tax dollars. Under this program you can choose to enroll in the Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount) and/or the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount). The Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount) lets you set aside any amount from $100 up to $4000 annually to pay for health care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance or other benefit plan. The Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount) allows your family to set aside up to $5000 in pre-tax salary for eligible child care, elder care, or disabled dependent care expenses. Both benefits are open to New York State employees. Employees who wish to enroll in the HCSAAcount also must
- be permanently employed or expect to be employed for the entire calendar year in which they plan to enroll. Employees who work on a semester basis are also eligible.*
- be annual-salaried
- work at least half-time
- meet the eligibility criteria for enrollment in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) and
- be either M/C, CSEA, PEF, UUP, NYSCOPBA, or Council 82.
*Employees who work on a semester basis and receive less than 26 check per calendar year will need to plan their deductions accordingly if you plan to enroll in the HCSAAccount. For more information, Click Here.
USE IT OR LOSE IT
Due to the tax advantages of participating in the FSA, the IRS has strict guidelines regarding contributions. Any money that remains unclaimed in your account after the runout period (90 days after the 2011 plan year or March 31, 2010) is forfeited. Employees should carefully estimate expenses accordingly.
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August 2010
Special Option Transfer Period for NYSHIP Rate Changes Effective October 1, 2010
NYSHIP enrollees received this flier at their home informing them of this special option transfer period and rate changes:
NYSHIP Active Enrollee Rate Changes Effective October 1, 2010 Flier
Legislation passed on June 7, 2010, will result in a New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) rate change effective October 1, 2010. As a result of these rate changes, there will be a Special Option Transfer Period during the month of August. The rate changes will be reflected in the September 29, 2010 pay check. The annual rate change and Option Transfer Period for 2011 will still occur later this year.
Background
The Civil Service Law requires that NYSHIP enrollees and dependents that are eligible for Medicare coverage that is primary to (pays before) NYSHIP coverage be reimbursed for their cost of the Medicare Part B premium. Prior to the recent change in NYS law, the full cost of this reimbursement to State enrollees was paid by the State. Provisions of 2010-2011 Emergency Budget legislation now require that, effective April 1, 2010, the cost of Medicare Part B premium reimbursement be shared by the State and NYSHIP enrollees.
Timeline
- Aug. 2: Special Option Transfer Period begins
- Aug. 31: Special Option Transfer Period ends - last day to change plans
- Oct. 1: New NYSHIP health rates become effective
Next Steps
- Review NYSHIP Choices 2010 Booklet, the Local Plan Rates Effective 2010, and the NYSHIP Rate Comparison Chart.
- To switch health plans, complete the New York State Health Insurance Transaction Form - PS 404.
- Return completed form to Human Resources (Erwin 219) before or by the end of the day on August 31, 2010.
- No action is required if you do not want to change your health plan.
Important Information
- If premium cost is increasing, enrollees may change to a lower cost option.
- Regardless of the change in the cost of enrollee's current option, they may change into an option for which the premium has decreased.
- Enrollees in HMOs may not change into The Empire Plan
- Enrollees in one of the three HMO option coverages for which the enrollee contribution is increasing may not change into another one of these three HMOs if the change will result in a higher enrollee contribution.
- Enrollees may not change from individual to family coverage without a qualifying event.
Resources
Instructions for Completing NYS Health Insurance Transaction Form PS 404
NYSHIPonline
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May 2010
Extending Health Insurance to Dependent Students
An employee may continue health insurance coverage for unmarried dependent children age 19 or older, but under age 25, as long as they are full-time students at an accredited secondary or preparatory school, college, or other educational institution.
Now that the spring semester has come to a close, many employees have dependent children who may be graduating or leaving college or educational institutions. Covered dependent students will have 3 months of extended coverage upon completion of each semester as a covered full-time student (or equivalent). Enrollees do have to apply for this three month extension. The form needed to request the graduating student's 3 month extension may be acquired at: PS-404.
Covered dependent students will have 60 days following the last day of the 3 month extension of the benefits to apply to the Employee Benefits Division for COBRA continuation.
For continuing students, it will not be necessary to complete Form PS-404 to continue coverage.
Requests should be received in the Human Resources Office in Erwin 219 by the end of the last day of the month that the student graduates or completes the semester.
If you have any questions regarding the 3 month extension for covered depenedent students, please call Human Resources at 585.245.5616.
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May 2010
Faculty Subject to Extra Deductions for Summer Health Care Coverage
Special Deductions for Summer Coverage Memorandum
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March 2010
Eat Well. Live Well. Challenge
March 14 - May 8th
The Eat Well. Live Well. Challenge is an exciting competition here at SUNY Geneseo sponsored by Human Resources and EAP. The Challenge has two parts:
- Get in Step is intended to increase a person's weekly physical activity by increasing the number of steps a person takes each day.
- Strive for Five promotes health eating through behavior change by challenging people to increase the number of cups of fruits and vegetables they consume each day.
The goal is to be the team with the highest average number of steps and/or team that has consumed the highest average number of cups of fruits and vegetables. (Of course, feeling better is an expected outcome as well).
Have you signed up yet? If not, it is not too late. Employees can join at anytime throughout the challenge. If you have joined a team or created a team, make sure you register at the Eat Well. Live Well. Challenge Website: https://www.eatwelllivewell.org/ . Not on a team yet? Want to create one? Email your team name, team leader, and team member names to gewlw@geneseo.edu to get started!
Free Pedometers are available from NYS Balance for qualified NYS Employees!
- <!--[if !supportLists]-->To order your free pedometer:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Complete the NYS Balance Order Form and fax to: 866.795.5740 OR
2. <!--[endif]-->Visit http://www.nysbalance.ny.gov/ and log in with the username: nys and the password balance then return to this page and click here: Educational Materials for an online fillable form.
Useful Guidelines
- NYS Balance
- Team Leader User's Guide
- Team Member Information
- EWLW Progress Measuring Chart
- Important Dates to Remember
Additional Information:
- Kick-Off Flier
- Join the Challenge Flier
- Heard the Buzz Around Campus? Flier
- Pedometer Conversion Chart
- Activity Converter
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March 2010
Pre-Retirement Planning Seminars
On Tuesday, March 16, 2010 in Newton Hall, SUNY Geneseo will be hosting a Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar. This seminar will run from 11:30am-4:00pm and encompass a wide range of information necessary in planning the next step in your life--Retirement. Wether you plan on retiring this year, next year, or in 10 years the seminars will have something for everyone!
For the benefit of our SUNY Geneseo Faculty and Staff, there will be various representatives from Social Security, NYS Empire Plans, UUP/CSEA Benefits, TIAA-CREF, ING, ERS, and TRS.
If you are unable to attend the March 16th, 2010 date, a second Pre-Retirement Planning Seminar will take place Wednesday, April 14, 2010 in Milne Library.
If you are interested in attending, please follow the link below to register. All registered participants will receive a confirmation email and details for the day in which they will be attending.
http://go.geneseo.edu/retirement
Employees may attend the Pre-Retirement Planning Seminars without charge to leave credits, but must have supervisor approval for the date they wish to attend.