The Daily Bulletin

The annual Option Transfer Period—the time to choose the health insurance option you want for 2023—closes Friday, December 30. The New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) offers employees the choice of the Empire Plan or a NYSHIP-approved health maintenance organization (HMO) serving the area where they live or work.

If you are considering changing your health insurance option for 2023 or wish to review your current option, the "Choices" booklet (PDF, 1.5 MB) explains the available NYSHIP options. You can find the "Choices" booklet and other option transfer publications on the NYSHIP Online website. Select your group and plan when prompted, then select Health Benefits and Option Transfer, and choose Rates and Health Plan Choices for the most up-to-date option transfer information.

Rate information was sent directly to enrollees' homes. Information is also available on the Buffalo State Benefits website.

Copies of the Summary of Benefits and Coverage for individual health plans can be obtained by calling (877) 769-7447 or by visiting the Employee Benefits Division Website to print or view a copy yourself.

If you have coverage under another employer-sponsored health insurance program, you may be eligible to opt out of NYSHIP coverage in exchange for an incentive payment. If you are interested in participating in the Opt-Out Program for 2023, please contact the Employee Benefits Office. It is no longer necessary to re-enroll in the Opt-Out Program each year. No action is required for current Opt-Out enrollees who are still eligible and wish to remain in the program for 2023.

Except under limited circumstances, you cannot change options outside the annual Option Transfer Period, which ends on December 30.

Other changes permitted during the Option Transfer Period without a qualifying event:

• Change from family to individual coverage
• Voluntarily cancel your coverage
• Change your tax-election option (pre-tax to after-tax or after-tax to pre-tax)

To change your health insurance during the Option Transfer Period, please return the completed and signed Health Insurance Transaction Form (PDF, 78 KB) to the Employee Benefits Office, Cleveland Hall 403, by 5:00 p.m. Friday, December 30. You may also change your option online using MyNYSHIP. All changes will be effective Thursday, January 5, 2023.

No action is required if you wish to keep your current health insurance option.

Please contact the Benefits Office, (716) 878-4821, with questions.