Deadlines for Plan Changes/Empire Plan Changes 2008

November 16 is the deadline for enrolling in the Health Care Spending Account (HCSAccount). The HCSAccount saves you money by allowing you to set aside up to $4,000 in pre-tax salary to pay for health care expenses that are not reimbursed by health insurance or other benefit plans. Apply for enrollment online at www.flexspend.state.ny.us, or by calling toll free 1-800-358-7202 by 11/16/07.

November 30 is the deadline if you want to change your Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP) status. The PTCP allows you to have your health insurance premiums deducted from your pay before taxes are withheld. This lowers your taxable income and gives you more spendable income.  Under IRS regulations, if you participate in the PTCP, you may not make the following changes during the year without a qualifying event:  1) change from Family to Individual coverage while at least one dependent remains eligible; and 2) voluntarily cancel your coverage while you are still eligible for coverage when there is no qualifying event.

The deadline for changing your health plan option has not been announced. Rates for 2008 have not been finalized. PS&T employees are entitled to 30 days from the date rates are delivered to the agencies to change their health plan option. No action is required if you do not wish to change health plans.

Empire Plan Changes for 2008

If you’re in the Empire Plan, you know that, with a few exceptions, you must first satisfy an annual deductible before you receive reimbursement for services performed by a non-participating (par) provider. You are also responsible for 20 percent of covered charges until you reach the annual coinsurance maximum. The amount of the deductible and coinsurance maximum increases on January 1 of each year.  Beginning January 1, 2008, the deductible and coinsurance maximum will change as follows:

Basic Medical Deductible: The Empire Plan Basic Medical Program annual deductible for medical services performed and supplies dispensed by non-par providers increases from $335 to $349.

Basic Medical Coinsurance Maximum: The annual coinsurance maximum under the Empire Plan Basic Medical Program increases from $1,610 to $1,676. The 20 percent coinsurance you pay for covered services by non-par providers counts towards this $1,676 coinsurance maximum. Your copayments for services by par providers also count.

The changes to the deductible and coinsurance maximum are due to an increase of 4.1 % in the medical component of the Consumer Price Index for Workers (CPI-W) for the period 7/1/06 through 6/30/07.