To: Full-time Employees and Benefit Eligible College Assistants
From: Donna Katz, SPHR
Associate Director of Human Resources
Date: November 8, 2004
Re:     Open Enrollment/Transfer Period for Health Plans, Flexible Spending
Accounts, Health Benefits Buyout Waiver Program and Dental Plan Buy Up
(Full Time PSC/CUNY Covered Employees Only)-REMINDER


I write to inform you about the open enrollment/transfer period for the
benefit programs listed below. Please pay close attention to the dates.

Benefit Plan Open Enrollment/Transfer Period

Health Plans                  November 1- November 30
Flexible Spending Accounts  September 20-November 30
Health Benefits Buyout Waiver Program September 20-November 30
Dental Buy Up (Only for Full Time PSC/CUNY Covered Employees) October 15-
November 15

Health Plans
During the transfer period for health plans, you may:
· transfer to another health plan;
· add or drop an optional rider;·
 add or drop dependents, this is the only time that you can make
changes in your dependent status without a qualifying event;
· elect to waive your health coverage; and
· change your health premium tax status.
Health benefit applications and information about the health plans are
available in Human Resources. You can also download the application at
www.nyc.gov/html/olr/downloads/pdf/healthb/erbapp.pdf. Information on the
health plans can be found at
www.nyc.gov/html/olr/html/health/prog_info.shtml and the rate sheet can be
found at www.nyc.gov/html/olr/downloads/pdf/healthb/emp_rates.pdf. The
completed application, along with marriage and birth certificates for
dependent children (if applicable), should be returned to Human Resources.
Changes to your health plan will become effective January 6, 2005. You will
need to review your pay stub to make certain the changes you elect are
reflected.Please keep in mind that during the year rate changes may occur
in some health plans.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Flexible spending accounts give you the opportunity to put aside money on a
pre-tax basis to pay for Dependent Care Assistance Program (DeCAP) and the
Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA).DeCAP provides you the
opportunity to use tax-free dollars to pay for expenses to care for your
dependents, so that you and your spouse may work. HCFSA helps you pay for
health-related expenses unreimbursed by your health, dental or vision care
insurance.Information and application forms are available in Human
Resources.You can also download information at
www.nyc.gov.html/olr/downloads/pdf/fsa/fsabroch.pdf and the enrollment
application at www.nyc.gov/html/olr/downloads/pdf/fsa/fsaecform.pdf.
Employees currently enrolled in these plans will receive enrollment
materials from the City of New York’s Pre-Tax Benefits Office, each year
you must re-enroll. Deductions will be reflected in the January 20, 2005
paycheck. Please check to see that this has occurred at that time.

Health Benefits Buy Out Waiver Program
The Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program allows eligible employees to
waive their health benefits and receive a cash incentive of $500 for
individual coverage and $1000 for family coverage, per calendar year, paid
in two installments covering the following dates 1/1-6/30 and 7/1-
12/31.Application forms are available in Human Resources. You can also
download the two applications at
www.nyc.gov/html/olr/downloads/pdf/healthb/erbapp.pdf and
www.nyc.gov/html/olr/downloads/pdf/fsa/msc_boform.pdf .The two completed
applications, along with proof of insurance coverage and marriage and birth
certificates for dependent children (if applicable) should be returned to
Human Resources.Full-time, tax-levy employees are eligible for the above
plans. College Assistants are eligible for the above plans if they have
worked for the College for at least 90 days, are working at least 20 hours
per week in those 90 days, and have an appointment of at least six months
and continue to work 20 hours per week with six month appointments.


Dental Buy Up –Full Time PSC/CUNY Covered Employees ONLYBasic PlanThe basic
dental program (Guardian DentalGuard Preferred Core Plan) is based on a
schedule that limits allowable charges by dentists, and then reimburses
part of the allowed charges. Typical dental procedures and their
reimbursement levels are shown in the Guardian Booklet available in Human
Resources. There is no charge to you for this plan and there is no annual
maximum.Buy Up PlanYou can increase the level of reimbursement by
purchasing the buy up plan during open enrollment. The Guardian Booklet
available in Human Resources compares the reimbursement level between the
basic plan and the buy up plan. There is a $1500 annual maximum payment for
each covered person. Once the maximum is reached, coverage reverts to the
basic level. The individual deduction for the buy up plan is $7.18 per
paycheck and for family is $16.26 per paycheck. Enrollment and payroll
deduction forms are available in Human Resources.If you require additional
information please call Donna Katz at (212) 802-2740 or e-mail at
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Applications submitted after the indicated deadlines will not be accepted.