I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about two important benefit changes that have recently occurred and to give you a gentle reminder on another long-standing program.
Same-sex marriages
The New York State Department of Civil Service has revised its policy regarding same-sex marriage. Effective May 1, 2007, any same-sex marriage that is legal in the jurisdiction where it was performed will be recognized by Civil Service for the purposes of extending spousal benefits eligibility.
For active UUP members, this change affects the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), CIGNA Dental and Davis Vision.
Same-sex marriages performed in the following jurisdictions will be recognized: Massachusetts, Canada, Spain, South Africa, the Netherlands and Belgium.
Civil unions will continue to be acceptable as proof for domestic partnerships.
If you still need to enroll your same-sex marriage partner, you may do so during the next open enrollment period, which begins in November.
Timothy’s Law
Legislation known as Timothy’s Law has changed coverage requirements for mental health benefits in group health plans. This includes the Empire Plan and NYSHIP HMOs.
Effective Jan. 1, 2007, Timothy’s Law requires that health plans provide for no less than 30 days of inpatient care and 20 days of outpatient care for the diagnosis and treatment of mental, nervous or emotional disorders.
Timothy’s Law does not affect substance abuse benefits.
If you have any questions regarding Timothy’s Law, please call Value Options at (877) 769-7447 and select Option 3.
Flex spending
The open enrollment period for the New York State Flex Spending Account (FSA) will begin Sept. 24 and end at midnight, Nov. 16. This is an excellent program that every UUP member should consider using.
The FSA is a pre-tax benefit that puts money in your pocket by helping you save on health care and dependent care expenses incurred while employed. The FSA benefit includes two programs: the Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount) or the Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount).
The DCAAccount is a negotiated employee benefit that helps state employees who have to pay for child care, elder care or disabled dependent care while they are
at work. At present there is no joint labor/management funding for the DCAAccount because the previous contract expired, but future funding of this benefit is part of the current contract negotiations.
The HCSAccount is a negotiated employee benefit that helps state employees pay for health-related expenses. This includes medical, hospital, laboratory, prescription drug, dental, vision and hearing expenses that are not reimbursed by insurance or other benefit plans.
For more information on the Flex Spending Program, call (800) 358-7202 or go to www.flexspend.state.ny.us.
Thanks for listening and remember, at UUP, it’s all about the members!
— Doreen Bango, Member Benefits and Services manager