For New York State employees, there are several qualifying life events that necessitate changes in benefits. For health insurance purposes you must make changes to your benefits within 30 days of your life changing event to avoid late enrollments and/or higher out of pocket costs.
In the case of adding new dependents to a family plan, it is important to follow the specific guidelines and timeframes provided to ensure a smooth and timely process. Here are the key steps and considerations to keep in mind for adding new dependents and updating beneficiaries:
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Adding New Dependents to a Family Plan:
- Submit proper documentation to prove the relationship within 30 calendar days of the qualifying event.
- Contact the Human Resources (HR) Benefits Office promptly to initiate the process for adding new dependents.
- Failure to report within the stipulated timeframe may result in a 10-week waiting period for coverage to begin.
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Dental and Vision Benefits for Different Employee Groups:
- CSEA-represented employees must report changes to the CSEA Benefit Trust Fund at 1-800-323-2732.
- UUP-represented employees must report changes to the UUP Benefit Trust Fund at 1-800-887-3863.
- PEF-represented, NYSPBA-representative, and M/C employees must report changes through the HR Benefits Office at 464-4941.
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Updating Beneficiaries for Retirement and Life Insurance:
- Contact your specific retirement plan provider, such as ERS at 1-866-805-0990 or SUNY ORP, and inform them of any changes in beneficiaries.
- If you have life insurance through your union, get in touch with the carrier to update your beneficiary information.
- M/C employees should contact the HR Benefits Office to update beneficiaries on M/C Life insurance.
- UUP represented employees should contact UUP at 1-800-887-3863 regarding any changes to the free life insurance through them.
Below is a summary of the actions that need to be taken for different life events. The summaries below will not convey, grant, or guarantee any benefit(s) or employment right(s).
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Marriage:
- Update marital status with Payroll and the HR Benefits Office.
- Adjust tax withholding if necessary.
- Consider changing beneficiary information if applicable.
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Divorce:
- Notify Payroll and the HR Benefits Office about the change in marital status.
- Review and update tax withholding if required.
- Make necessary changes to the beneficiary information.
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Birth of a Child:
- Contact the HR Benefits Office to include the child in your coverage.
- Consider updating beneficiary information if needed.
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Death of a Spouse or Child:
- Notify Payroll and the HR Benefits Office about the change in marital status.
- Make necessary changes to beneficiary information if applicable.
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Change of Address:
- Update your address on self-serve.
- Fill out the appropriate form and notify the HR Benefits Office for benefit-related mailings.
- Update address with the retirement plan provider if applicable.
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Spouse Losing or Gaining Insurance:
- Inform the HR Benefits Office about any changes in your spouse's insurance coverage.
- Consider adjusting your own coverage based on the changes.
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Child Turning 26:
- Review the COBRA information that will be sent by the NYS Department of Civil Service.
- Explore Young Adult Coverage as an option.
- Adjust your insurance coverage accordingly.
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Changing to Benefits Eligible Position:
- Attend HR Benefits orientation as scheduled.
- Enroll in benefits based on the provided information.
Be sure to adhere to the deadlines provided for each life event, as these deadlines can impact the effectiveness of the changes made to your benefits. Always keep your HR/payroll records up to date and promptly communicate any necessary changes to ensure the smooth management of your benefits.