Fall Transfer Period

The Fall Transfer Period for both Employees and Retirees will be November 1st through November 30th this year. During this period, employees can:

• Transfer to another health plan
• Add or drop an optional rider
• Add or drop dependents
• Change health premium contribution tax status
• Elect the Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program

Additional information and forms will be available in October.  Please check back periodically for updates.

Flexible Spending Accounts

The Annual Open Enrollment Period for Plan Year 2022 will be October 12, 2021 to November 19, 2021. The Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Program Enrollment/Change Form will be available in early October. Please check back periodically for program materials and updates.

Enrollment in the HCFSA and DeCAP is not automatic and your previous year’s election will not rollover. New and current participants must enroll/re-enroll each year during the annual open enrollment period.

• Flexible Spending Accounts Program Brochure
• FSA Enrollment/Change Form

COVID-19 New York Sick Leave

Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act has expired effective September 30, 2021.

Employees who are subject to a mandatory or precautionary order of quarantine or isolation due to COVID 19 are provided with up to fourteen days (10 working days) of paid sick leave at their regular rate of pay with no charge to their accruals.  Employees who are able to work remotely are not eligible for this benefit.

Use the link below for more information on New York State’s COVID Leave benefits and eligibility.

COVID-19 New York Sick Leave Reference Guide

Health Benefit Changes for July 2021

• Health Plan Rates (effective July 2021)
• Fall Transfer Period will be held in November 2021. Any changes elected will become effective with the first payroll in mid-January 2022.
• MetroPlus Gold will have a new optional prescription rider, effective August August 1, 2021. Basic coverage has not changed.

Read the full details here in the Employee Rate Change notice.

New PICA Prescription Drug Cards

The New York City PICA Prescription Drug program for self-injectable (not including diabetic medication) and chemotherapy medications has begun issuing new PICA Prescription Benefit Cards. Starting July 1, 2021, please use the new ID cards and discard any previous PICA ID cards you may have. Please give this card to your pharmacy the next time you have a prescription filled for an injectable or chemotherapy medication only.

Express Scripts is sending covered employees these new PICA ID cards because they include a new dedicated phone number exclusively for PICA Members for Express Scripts Patient Customer Service and for Accredo, an Express Scripts Specialty pharmacy.

Each member was issued two cards, for use by the employee and dependents on the plan. If you need assistance, please use the new dedicated customer service number at (866) 832-9585.

Elimination of HIP HMO Requirement for Newly-Hired Employees

The requirement that any newly-hired employees on or after July 1, 2019 enroll in HIP HMO for the first year (365 days) of employment is no longer in effect as of January 1, 2022. Therefore, any employees hired on or after January 1, 2022 will not be subject to this requirement and may enroll in any health plan that they choose. However, any employee who is hired prior to January 1, 2022 must continue to meet the 365-day requirement.

Extension of Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Benefits

On March 11, 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 was signed into law. Under this legislation employers may continue to provide FFCRA Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency FMLA Expansion leave through September 30, 2021.  CUNY will continue to provide FFCRA Leaves to eligible employees who fill out the appropriate attestation and request forms.

Emergency Paid Sick Leave Attestation and Request Form and the Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act Attestation and Request Forms are available on the University Benefits Office webpage.

• Emergency Paid Sick leave Attestation and Request Form
• Emergency Family Medical Leave and Expansion Act Attestation and Request Form

On December 27, 2020, former President Trump signed the coronavirus relief and government funding bill into law.  Under this legislation, employers may continue to provide FFCRA Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Emergency FMLA Expansion leave through March 31, 2021.  CUNY has opted to continue to provide FFCRA Leaves to eligible employees who fill out the appropriate attestation and request forms. 

Please note that if an employee has already exhausted their FFCRA Leaves – they do not receive additional leave time.

WageWorks Balance Transfer to Edenred

All pretax balances from WageWorks have been posted to Edenred accounts. Read the full announcement.

Open Enrollment / Fall Transfer Period 2020

Open Enrollment is the one time during the year when you can change your benefit elections, add or remove dependents for health, dental and flexible spending account plans without a qualifying life event. Deadlines are coming up and if you’re still undecided on your options, you may find more information below.

Fall Transfer Period – Employee Notice

Important Health Benefits forms
Need to change insurance? Health Benefits Application
Rate Chart for Employees: Health Plan Rate Chart for Employees – July 2020
Rate Chart for Retirees: Health Plan Rate Chart for Retirees – July 2020
Dependent Eligibility Required Documentation

Enrollment Dates:

• Active Employees: October 1, 2020 – October 31, 2020
• Retirees: November 1, 2020 – November 30, 2020

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Program:

Enrollment in the HCFSA and DeCAP is not automatic and your previous year’s election will not rollover. New and current participants must enroll/re-enroll each year during the annual open enrollment period (October 1-November 13, 2020).

Important FSA Forms:
FSA Enrollment/Change Form

Prior Plan Year

• 2020 DeCAP Claims Form
• 2020 HCFSA Claims Form

Enrollment Dates: October 1, 2020 – November 13, 2020
Additional information can be found on the NYC Office of Labor Relations FSA website.

Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank Open Enrollment 2020

Enrollment Dates: October 15, 2020 – November 15, 2020

There will be an open enrollment period for employees to participate by donating time to the Bank or changing their election to the Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank (CSLB).  The open enrollment period will run from Oct. 15, 2020, through Nov. 15, 2020.

Days donated to the CSLB must be deducted from your time and leave record immediately following the enrollment period.  As a reminder, those who enrolled last year should continue to have their days deducted in November; unless the employee elects to withdraw from the Program or is no longer eligible to participate.

• Program Description
• Application to Donate
• Application to Receive
• Application to Change/Withdraw Donation

24/7 Telemedicine Program with Teladoc

(For Those Covered Under the EmblemHealth GHI-CBP, GHI HMO, HIP HMO, HIP POS, and VYTRA plans)

With Teladoc, you can talk with a doctor within minutes rather than days or hours. Teladoc doctors can diagnose, treat and prescribe medication (when medically necessary) for non-emergency medications. This includes treatments for the flu, sore throat, allergies, stomach aches, eye infections, bronchitis, and much more. Copays are waived during the COVID outbreak. To set up your account now so you can talk with one of Teladoc’s board-certified doctors anytime when you don’t feel well, call 1-800-Teladoc (1-800-835-2362) or visit Teladoc.com/emblemhealth

New ID Cards for GHI-CBP Members

New ID cards were issued to all members and their eligible dependents in late June. The new cards have an identification number that begin with the letter “K” and every dependent receives a card with their own identification number. The new cards are effective beginning July 1, 2020. Kindly update your card with your healthcare providers. Visit the EmblemHealth Website for more information.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will apply from April 1, 2020 through December 31, 2020. Learn more about the provisions of the FFCRA linked below:

• Families First Coronavirus Response Act – Employee Rights Poster (English)
• Emergency Paid Sick Leave Reference Guide
• Emergency Paid Sick Leave Attestation and Request Form
• Emergency Family Medical Leave Act Expansion Reference Guide
• Emergency Family Medical Leave Expansion Act Attestation and Request Form

More information can be found on the Department of Labor webpage.