Health Insurance

Detailed information about group health insurance options is available under Insurance on the Human Resources site. For vision and dental care plans, please refer to UUP Benefit Trust Fund Coverage.

Please note: The UUP chapter office is providing updates, as available, on the collective bargaining process for the next UUP/NYS Agreement, and updates are being posted on the UUP website, www.uupinfo.org. After the new agreement is ratified, this section of the handbook will be updated to reflect any relevant changes.

Eligibility
Eligibility for health insurance is determined by employment status. All full-time faculty and part-time faculty who teach at least two courses per semester during the academic year are eligible (together with their eligible dependents) for health insurance coverage at the group rate. (Appointment letters for part-time employees indicate if the employee is eligible for health insurance benefits.)

Effective Date of Coverage
Coverage will become effective on the 43rd day of employment, provided that you enroll for coverage within the first 30 days of employment. To enroll, please contact Grace Bonnell, the benefits administrator in Human Resources, (914) 251-6091.

Cost of Coverage
The state pays 90 percent of your health insurance premium and 75 percent of the premium for your eligible dependents. You may elect to have your biweekly health insurance premium deducted from your pay on a pretax basis. Effective January of each year, your biweekly premium cost is subject to change. Costs for health insurance vary, depending on the type of coverage selected (individual or family) and the plan chosen (the Empire Plan/United Healthcare or an HMO).

Prescription Drug Coverage
Prescription drug coverage is provided through the health insurance plan you select. If you decline to enroll in health insurance, you will not be provided with prescription coverage.

Change of Plan Option or Coverage
You can change your health insurance option and coverage for eligible dependents during the annual transfer period, usually in November of each year. Current enrollees will be notified about the transfer period.

Continuation of Benefits
Health insurance may be continued during periods of leave without pay if the employee pays the full-share rates. Full-share rates include the regular employee share premium as well as the portion usually contributed by the state. Faculty members who separate from state service may be eligible to continue their insurance at the full-share rate through a mechanism created by COBRA legislation. Health insurance may be continued into retirement for eligible employees. For information on continuation of benefits, please contact Grace Bonnell, the benefits administrator in Human Resources, (914) 251-6091.

For updates or comments on the contents of this page…