Published by CSEA 143 Washington Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12210 (518) 257-1000 (800) 342-4146 www.cseany.org Danny Donohue, President CSEA Local 1000 AFSCME AFL-CIO is published to share information and generate ideas on subjects important to retirees. 2016 NYSHIP Dependent Eligibility Verification Project deadlines NYSHIP will conduct a Dependent Eligibility Verification Project in 2016, similar to the audit conducted in 2009, to help ensure that every participant who receives benefits is entitled to them. In early December, HMS Employer Solutions, the administrator of the verification project, mailed an amnesty letter to all NYSHIP enrollees with family coverage to provide them an opportunity to remove any ineligible dependent(s) without incurring any liability for repayment of claims paid on their behalf. Enrollees were requested to review the information contained in the letter and report any ineligible dependents directly to HMS. The Special Amnesty Period ends on Jan. 29, 2016. After the Special Amnesty Period ends on Jan. 29, enrollees will be required to provide documentation of dependent eligibility during a verification phase. Due to the size of the NYSHIP population, this will be conducted in three separate phases, as follows: • Participating agencies (local government, municipalities, etc.): Feb. 29 - April 15, 2016 • NYS retirees and participating employers (authorities, etc.): May 2 – June 17, 2016 • New York State active employees: July 5 – Aug. 19, 2016 It is very important that enrollees respond and provide copies of acceptable proofs of eligibility, such as birth certificates or marriage certificates, in a timely manner during the appropriate verification phase. Dependents of enrollees who fail to respond will be removed from coverage retroactive to Jan. 1, 2016. Additionally, enrollees may be responsible for repaying all health insurance claims for ineligible dependents as early as the date the dependent became ineligible. Any questions regarding the Dependent Eligibility Verification Project can be directed to HMS Employer Solutions at 1-855-884-9475 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. EST. This offer is only available to CSEA members through the BJ’s Corporate Sales Rep Program during special quarterly open enrollment periods. Access applications for the 2016 special enrollments at: cseany.org/bjs-discount or call: 1-800-342-4146, ext. 1359 2016 open enrollment periods: • April 1-14 • July 1-14 SAVE on your membership to BJ’s Wholesale Club! • Oct. 1-14
Retiree News Winter 2016
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