New Option Transfer Policy for Retirees

The Department of Civil Service has announced a more flexible health insurance option transfer policy for NYSHIP enrollees with retiree benefits.

NYSHIP retirees  are now permitted to change health insurance options at any time during the year; however, once an option change is made, another one may not be made until twelve months later. This replaces the policy that allowed option changes only during the 30-day Option Transfer Period at the end of each year. (However, the 30-day option transfer period still applies to Active employees.)

In October 2003 Civil Service mailed a letter to the homes of enrollees with retiree benefits announcing the new policy.