UUP members should be aware that the Department of Civil Service (DCS)—the administrator of the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP)—has contracted with BUDCO Health Service Solutions to verify that every dependent who receives benefits under NYSHIP is entitled to them.

There are two phases of the Dependent Eligibility Verification Project, and UUP members should have received information directly from DCS and BUDCO describing the project and outlining what information must be submitted to verify eligibility. The verification of eligibility will include all dependents covered under NYSHIP through the Empire Plan, a NYSHIP HMO or the Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP).

Enrollees must verify their dependents’ eligibility as of Feb. 1, 2009. Dependents added to coverage after Feb. 1, 2009, will not be included in this project.

Enrollees who believe their dependents inadvertently received benefits can take advantage of a 60-day special amnesty period, which runs through June 12, 2009.

Ineligible dependents identified during the amnesty period will be removed from NYSHIP coverage and the enrollee will not be required to reimburse the plan for claims paid for those dependents. With this amnesty, enrollees are also protected from possible civil or criminal action.

Dependents removed from coverage during the special amnesty period are eligible for COBRA. Information on applying for COBRA will be provided by DCS.

More detailed information can be found online at http://www.cs.state.ny.us/nyshipeligibilityproject/faqs.cfm.

Following the amnesty period, enrollees must provide BUDCO with acceptable proof of dependent eligibility. Enrollees who fail to provide acceptable proof will see their dependents removed from coverage, will be responsible for repaying claims, and may face additional penalties.

Members may also contact their campus health benefits administrator for more information.

— Karen L. Mattison