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FAQs

Benefit FAQs


Frequently asked questions are arranged by major subject area. This section is currently under development and will continue to expand as we add questions and answers in each subject area.

Q. What benefits am I eligible for as a new State employee?
Q. How do I enroll for benefits if I am eligible?
Q. When can I change my health insurance plan?
Q. When can I change my health coverage level (i.e. individual to family, waived to covered)?
Q. Can I continue my health insurance into retirement?
Q. How many times a year can I change my SRA or TDA contribution level?
Q. How do I use my dental benefits if I have them?
Q. How do I change the beneficiary designation on my retirement account?
Q. Can I put money aside on a pre-tax basis to pay for dependent, elder, or health care expenses?

Q. What benefits am I eligible for as a new State employee?
A. If you are eligible for participation in the University's benefit programs, click here for additional information. This information is of a general nature and is listed for your convenience only. Consult plan documents for complete details about benefit programs, or contact the Employee Benefits Office for additional information.

Q. How do I enroll for benefits if I am eligible?
A. When you are hired or newly eligible for benefits, you will receive a packet containing the information and forms you need to enroll for benefits. If you do not receive this information within two weeks of your appointment to a benefits eligible position, contact the Employee Benefits Office. Please keep in mind that your paperwork must be received in Human Resources within 30 days of your initial or qualifying appointment in order to be eligible.

Q. When can I change my health insurance plan?
A. You can change your health insurance plan during the Option Transfer Period (usually in November), or if you move out of the service area of your current HMO plan. Contact the Employee Benefits Office to obtain the required forms or for additional information.

Q. When can I change my health coverage level (i.e. individual to family, waived to covered)?
A. Changes in the level of your health insurance coverage can be made with a valid qualifying event. Life changes such as certain changes in job status, marriage, the birth of a child or a dependent child graduating or reaching the maximum age of coverage are examples of valid qualifying events. Changes from waived to covered or from individual to family can be made without a qualifying event, but a five payroll period wait from the date of request would be applied before benefits begin. Please visit the Civil Service web site or contact the Employee Benefits Office if you have any questions or need additional information.

Q. Can I continue my health insurance into retirement?
A. To learn about health insurance continuation in retirement, please consult the following:

Contact the Employee Benefits Office for additional assistance.

Q. How many times a year can I change my SRA or TDA contribution level?
A. You can execute up to four Salary Reduction Agreements per calendar year in order to change the amount being deducted from your paycheck for either a Supplemental Retirement Annuity (SRA) or a Tax Deferred Annuity (TDA). Contact the Employee Benefits Office for additional information. Required forms can be downloaded here.

Q. How do I use my dental benefits if I have them?
A. If you have dental benefits, visit here to learn more about your coverage and how to file a claim. Contact the Employee Benefits Office if you have any questions or need to obtain dental claim forms.

Q. How do I change the beneficiary designation on my retirement account?
A. It is a good idea to periodically review the beneficiary designations on your retirement accounts and life insurance policies to take into account any life changes you may have experienced (birth of child, death of parent, divorce, etc.). This way you can be secure in the knowledge that your wishes will be carried out in the event that anything should ever happen to you. In the event you find that you need to change your beneficiary designation, please contact each plan directly. You can also visit our Forms section, or contact the Employee Benefits Office for additional assistance.

Q. Can I put money aside on a pre-tax basis to pay for dependent, elder, or health care expenses?
A. The Dependent Care Advantage (DCA) Account is a flexible spending account program governed by the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service. The program provides State employees with the opportunity to pay for childcare, elder care, or other dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis. Participation in this program allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 annually in pre-tax salary to pay for their dependent care expenses. The average employee who participates in the DCA Account saves more than $1,500 annually on their dependent care expenses! In addition, as a result of new collective bargaining agreements between the State and some public employee unions, employees may be eligible for up to a $400 contribution to their DCA Account from New York State.

The new Health Care Spending (HCS) Account is another type of flexible spending account program that allows eligible State employees to set aside from $150 to $3,000 annually in pre-tax salary to pay for health-related expenses that are not reimbursed by health insurance. Medically necessary medical, dental, prescription, vision and hearing expenses for enrollees and their dependents are eligible for reimbursement. At this time, the benefit is available to MC employees, UUP represented employees and employees represented by CSEA. Employees represented by PEF will be eligible upon ratification of their tentative contract.

The open enrollment period for these plans is usually in the fall. Participants who are currently in the DCA Account must re-enroll each year if they wish to continue their benefits.

If you need additional information, or wish to obtain an enrollment kit, please call 1-800-358-7202, or visit http://www.flexspend.state.ny.us . If you have any other questions or need further assistance, please contact the Employee Benefits Office.


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Office of Human Resources Management
University at Albany
Albany, NY 12222
(518) 437-4700 (Voice) 437-4731 (Fax)
Office Hours: M-F, 8:30am to 5:00pm, Summers, 8:00am - 4:00pm

 

 

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