Page 17 - Work Force October 2025

EBF dental plans include three EBF dental plans include three
annual cleanings, exams annual cleanings, exams
Most dental plans stop at two
cleanings and exams per year,
but your CSEA Employee Benefit
Fund (EBF) dental plan goes a step
further.
Since 2016, the CSEA Employee
Benefit Fund Trustees have approved
three cleanings and exams annually
for all members and their eligible
dependents. This enhancement was
incorporated into our dental plans
during scheduled upgrades in 2016
and 2017.
This extra cleaning is more than
just a perk. It is a powerful tool for
prevention. Regular dental visits do
more than polish your teeth; they
give your dentist the chance to check
for cavities, gum disease, and even
early signs of oral cancer.
For many EBF members, that third
cleaning has caught issues before
they turned into costly and painful
procedures.
Three makes a difference
Dental and medical professionals
agree that prevention is key to
maintaining good health. An extra
cleaning each year helps to:
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Fight gum disease – Gum
health is directly tied
to overall health, with
connections to diabetes, heart
disease and other conditions.
Catch problems early –
Frequent checkups give your
dentist more chances to
spot small issues before they
become big ones.
Support higher-risk members
– People with diabetes, who
are pregnant, smokers and
older adults often need extra
monitoring to keep their oral
health on track.
Save money long-term –
Preventing a root canal,
crown, or extraction is far less
costly than treating one.
Outside the annual maximum
One of the best parts of this
benefit is that it sits outside of your
annual maximum. That means the
extra exam and cleaning don’t reduce
the dollars available for other dental
services. Your maximum stays intact
for fillings, crowns, dentures and
other covered care.
Benefit for you
This enhancement reflects the
commitment of our union and the
EBF Trustees to go beyond the
industry standard. Many commercial
dental plans still limit patients to
two visits per year, but CSEA fought
for better. It’s a reminder that your
benefits are negotiated and managed
with your health in mind.
Don’t leave it on the table
If you’ve been scheduling two
cleanings a year, you could be leaving
part of your benefit unused. Please
be sure to discuss with your dentist
to determine if a third cleaning could
benefit your oral and overall health.
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund
provides negotiated dental, vision,
and reimbursement benefits for New
York State employees, Unified Court
System and more than 600 local
government units. Our benefits aim
to enhance the well-being of CSEA
members and their families while
saving money on the care they need.
Use our Benefits Search tool at
cseaebf.com to determine which EBF
benefits have been negotiated into
your contract.
‘Planning for Option Transfer for 2026:’
Available important dates, deadlines
We are approaching that time
of year when active New York
state employees begin to consider
their NYSHIP health options for 2026.
“Planning for Option Transfer
for 2026” was recently mailed to
enrollees’ homes. The publication
includes important information
about the Option Transfer Period
to be held later this year, as well
including important information on
voluntary programs that have been
negotiated to help save costs for
CSEA state employees.
Option Transfer Period – dates
TBD
can change their NYSHIP option
for the next plan year. The Pre-Tax
Contribution Program (PTCP), which
allows health insurance premiums to
be deducted from wages before taxes
are withheld, will run concurrently
with the annual Option Transfer
Period. During the Option Transfer
Period, enrollees can elect or change
their NYSHIP participation and/or
PTCP participation. Please look for
additional information.
Productivity Enhancement
Program (PEP) – Enrollment Period
is Nov. 1 – Dec. 8, 2025.
This negotiated program allows
eligible full and part-time employees
to exchange previously accrued leave
in return for a credit to be applied
toward their NYSHIP premium.
Detailed information is included in
the Planning for Option Transfer for
2026 guide. Please see your agency
health benefits administrator with
questions or to enroll.
Flex Spending Account (FSA) –
Enrollment Period is Nov. 1 – Dec.
8, 2025
This negotiated program allows
you to set aside pre-tax dollars to
pay for 2026 health care, dependent
care or adoption-related costs.
Funds placed into a Health Care
Spending Account (HCSA) may be
used to cover a wide range of eligible
expenses, including copayments,
prescription medications and many
over-the-counter products. Detailed
information is included in the
Planning for Option Transfer 2026
guide. Visit oer.ny.gov/FSA to enroll.
The Option Transfer Period is
the time of year when enrollees
Employees who participated in the
PEP or FSA for plan year 2025 must
re-enroll to participate in 2026.
The 2026 NYSHIP rates, as well
as various dates and deadlines for
the annual open enrollment period,
will be included in the Rates and
Deadlines for 2026 flyer. This flyer will
be mailed by the State and posted on
Civil Service’s website online once
the rates have been approved. Please
see future Work Force editions for
updates.
October 2025 17 17
The Work Force