November
time to make health benefit changesThe annual option-transfer period for changing your health-benefit enrollment begins November 1. In addition to changing your health plan, you may make the following changes during the month of November:
• Change your Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP) status — The PTCP allows you to have your health-insurance premiums deducted from your pay before taxes are taken out. This lowers your taxable income and gives you more spendable income.
You were automatically enrolled in this program when you became eligible for health insurance, unless you declined to participate. If you are enrolled in the PTCP, there will be an “N” (for non-taxable) next to the health-insurance contribution in the Code-Health-Amount box on your paycheck stub. If you declined participation, a “T” (for taxable) will appear in this box.
If you are enrolled in the PTCP, you can voluntarily cancel your coverage in November or change to individual coverage without a qualifying event.
• Change the federally qualified status of your domestic partner.
• Elect to participate in the Health Option Program (HOP) for the year 2002 — Participating employees earn sick leave at a reduced biweekly rate which results in three fewer days of sick leave earned over the calendar year in exchange for a reduction in biweekly health-insurance premiums. — Lorraine Simpkins
Window for changes opening
soon
The window period for choosing a
different health plan usually opens when the approved
premium rates are sent to state agencies and it closes 30
days later. The window is not expected to open before
November 15, and it could be later. Watch your mail for a
flyer with rates and deadline information. This
information also will be posted under “Health Benefits” on the PEF website as soon as the window period
is set.
Need help choosing?
Check these out:
• Your personnel office — Your agency Health
Benefits Administrator can give you a copy of the
“Choices” booklet which explains the
health-plan options available to you and provides a
benefit summary for each plan. If you are interested in
the Empire Plan, ask for “The Empire Plan At A
Glance 2001.” An Empire Plan Participating Provider
Directory should also be available for reference
purposes.
• NYS Department of Civil Service (DCS) —
“Choices” and other option-transfer
publications are available online. Rates will be posted
promptly upon approval. The DCS web site address is www.ins.state.ny.us. Click on “Employee Benefits” and
then “Option Transfer.” This site also includes
a link to the Empire Plan Participating Provider
Directory.
• NYS Department of Insurance (DOI) — Use the
“2001 New York Consumer Guide to Health
Insurers” to learn how to choose a plan and compare
the plans available to you. In addition to allowing you
to compare plans based on the number of complaints,
grievances and utilization-review appeals, this guide
offers a comprehensive review and comparison of the major
quality-of-care indicators and other measures. Call
800-342-3736 or go to www.ins.state.ny.us. Click on “Consumers” and then
“Health.”
— Lorraine Simpkins