Health insurance choices for 2016 It’s time start thinking about your health insurance options for 2016. The annual NYSHIP Option Transfer period will be held after the 2016 health insurance premiums are approved. During the option transfer period, CSEA-represented state enrollees will have the ability to change their health insurance plan for the 2016 plan year. Enrollees will be able to choose from the Empire Plan or one of the NYSHIP-approved health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in their area. If an enrollee currently participates in the opt-out program and wishes to continue for 2016, he or she must again elect to opt-out during the annual option transfer period. If you currently participate in a NYSHIP HMO, note that many plans will be making important changes for 2016, including co-payment increases. Watch your mail for letters about such changes. Enrollees considering changing options may request a copy of the 2015 Choices guide from your health benefits administrator. Enrollees should review each of the options carefully to determine which health insurance plan will best meet their health needs. Watch for more information in The Work Force as the option transfer period draws nearer. The Joint Committee on Health Benefits will publish more information on health insurance premiums for the 2016 plan year to help you make the most informed choices for you and your family’s health care needs. Get EBF services online Getting information about your CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) benefits is easier than ever. All you need to access the many great features that the EBF has to offer is to visit the website at cseaebf.com. Here, you will be able to get the latest EBF news, look up your EBF ID number, replace your EBF ID card and search for participating dental and vision providers. To stay up-to- date on enhancements or upgrades to your plan, go to the cseaebf.com home page and select the “Latest News” button. The Latest News page also contains more information about recent mailings, as well as important reminders. To locate your EBF ID number, click the “Lookup Your EBF ID #” button from the home page. Enter the required information and then click “Submit.” If you are actively enrolled, you can view a copy of your EBF ID card and also have options to print a card. Members should be aware that an original EBF card need not be presented for services; all that is needed is the EBF ID number. The EBF ID number is a randomly generated nine-digit number that is different from your CSEA member number and is used for claims submission. The EBF ID number is the same number for the member and any eligible dependents on the plan. If you’re newly eligible for benefits, once you are fully enrolled, an EBF ID card will be mailed to you. If you order a replacement card from cseaebf. com, you should receive it by mail within five to seven business days. To search participating dental and vision providers, click the “Provider Search” button on the home screen. Select Dental or Vision, then select your search option by Location, County, or browse alphabetically, then click “Find Provider.” A list of providers will be displayed for results in the selected area. Clicking on the map next to a provider’s name will allow you to get directions to the provider’s office. To search for your plan documents, you can use the “Benefit Search” tool and use the “Download Forms” button to access commonly used forms. For any questions or other assistance, contact EBF customer service staff at 800-323-2732. Consider flexible spending accounts for 2016 expenses Do your expected 2016 expenses include caring for a dependent family member or health costs that may not be covered by your insurance? One great way for state enrollees to help offset these types of expenses is through the Flex Spending Account, a negotiated employee benefit that helps state employees pay for health or dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Specifically, instead of paying for these types of expenses with already taxed dollars, you would pay for the same expenses with money that has not yet been taxed. There are two benefit programs under the Flex Spending Account to help you keep more of your paycheck. The Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount) allows employees to pay for health-related expenses that are not reimbursed by your insurance or other benefit plans, including medical, hospital, laboratory, prescription drug, dental, vision and hearing expenses. The Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount) allows employees to pay for dependent care, including child care, elder care or care for dependents with disabilities, required for an employee or spouse to work. Enrollees should carefully estimate eligible expenses in an effort to determine appropriate contribution amounts to their Flex Spending Account. Under federal law, any money that is deposited into your Flex Spending Account must be used for expenses incurred during the plan year in which it was contributed. More detailed information about the Flexible Spending Account programs, including enrolling online, frequently asked questions and information on how to calculate your out-of-pocket expenses, can be found at www.flexspend.ny.gov, or by calling 1-800-358-7202. October 2015 The Work Force 17
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