To: Full-time Employees, Benefit Eligible College Assistants and
Benefit Eligible Continuing Education Teachers
From: Ronny Widener, Director of Human Resources
Date: October 2, 2003
Re:     Open Enrollment/Transfer Period for Health Plans, Flexible Spending
Accounts, and the Health Benefits Buyout Waiver Program


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
Flexible Spending Accounts  September 22-November 21
Health Benefits Buyout Waiver Program September 22-November 21
Health Plans                  October 15- November 14

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 the Human Resources Office. You can also download the
application at www.nyc.gov/html/olr/pdf/healthb/erbapp.pdf information on
the health plans can be found at
www.nyc.gov/html/olr/html/healthb/hompg_frm.html and the rate sheet can be
found at www.nyc.gov/html/olr/pdf/healthb/july03act.pdf  . The completed
application, along with marriage and birth certificates for dependent
children (if applicable), should be returned to the Human Resources Office.
We have not been notified of any changes to the health plans.

Changes to your health plan will become effective January 8, 2004. You will
need to review your pay stub to make certain the changes you elect are
reflected.

Please keep in mind that every July 1st rate changes may occur in some of
the 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.

Applications to receive information for the flexible spending accounts have
been distributed to employees. You should complete the application and
return it to the City of New York (the return address is preprinted on the
application). The Human Resources Office will have the enrollment materials
for these accounts on or after October 10, 2003. Employees currently
enrolled in these plans will soon 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 22, 2004 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.

Applications for this program may be obtained by completing the application
that you received in your mailbox and mailing the application to the City
of New York. The Human Resources Office will have the two required
applications for this program on or after October 10, 2003. The two
completed applications, along with proof of insurance coverage and marriage
and birth certificates for dependent children (if applicable) should be
returned to the Human Resources Office.

You may also obtain information about these plans by calling (212) 306-7760.

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.

If you require additional information please call Donna Katz at (212) 802-
2740 or e-mail at [log in to unmask]

Applications submitted after the indicated deadlines will not be accepted.