Your employment-related benefits are negotiated by New York state and your bargaining unit, GSEU (Graduate StudentEmployee Union). These are your benefits if both these are true:
Return to My Benefits.
The University at Buffalo offers you an exceptional medical insurance plan.
As part of your benefits package, you may be eligible for medical insurance. Listed below are eligibility criteria. If you are unsure if you meet this criteria, Human Resources is available to guide you.
State Benefits
Human Resources
Phone: 716-645-7777
Email: ub-hr-benefits@buffalo.edu
You may be able to add dependent(s) to your medical insurance for family coverage. Listed below is the documentation that will be required to enroll your dependent(s). If you are unable to provide one of the required documents, contact Human Resources to discuss possible alternatives.
| Eligible Dependents | Required Documentation to Enroll Dependent |
|---|---|
| Spouse |
|
Multiple documents may be used for proof of joint financial obligation including a joint tax return, mortgage or lease agreement, bill or bank account. Financial information may be blacked out.
| Eligible Dependents | Required Documents to Enroll Dependent |
|---|---|
Domestic Partner
|
|
| Dependent Children Under Age 26 |
|
As a student, you may be required to carry medical insurance. The University at Buffalo offers health insurance to students who do not have required coverage through another source. The student insurance option is a separate option from the coverage offered to you as an employee and is not administered through Human Resources.
If you enroll in the Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) plan, you do not need to carry the student health insurance. Human Resources will send a waiver to the Student Health Insurance Office for the duration of the time that you are enrolled in the SEHP plan. The fee will be removed from your tuition bill once the waiver is complete.
If you do not enroll in the SEHP plan but have other insurance, you must complete a waiver directly with the Student Health Insurance Office. You may otherwise be automatically enrolled in coverage and charged on your tuition bill.
If you enroll in the SEHP plan, you will be automatically enrolled in Medical Evacuation and Repatriation coverage through the Student Health Insurance office as a rider to your plan. This is mandatory coverage and the cost will be added to your tuition bill.
Welcome to the University at Buffalo! Human Resources will send you an invitation to an upcoming benefit orientation upon review of your medical benefits eligibility. Your benefits eligibility is reviewed by Human Resources when your employment information is submitted by your department.
Enrollment in medical insurance is voluntary — you will not be automatically enrolled in a plan. You must attend an entire orientation session in order to enroll.
Newly eligible employees must enroll within 45 days of their appointment begin date. Coverage is effective as of your appointment begin date. If you do not attend a session and do not enroll within 42 days of your appointment begin date, you may be subject to a late enrollment period, which would delay your benefits.
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll in Medical Insurance | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) |
| 30 days from date of prior coverage termination | Date of prior coverage termination |
You may be able to add dependent(s) to your medical insurance for family coverage. Listed below is the documentation that will be required to enroll your dependent(s). If you are unable to provide one of the required documents, contact Human Resources to discuss possible alternatives.
| Eligible Dependents | Required Documentation to Enroll Dependent |
|---|---|
| Spouse |
|
Multiple documents may be used for proof of joint financial obligation including a joint tax return, mortgage or lease agreement, bill or bank account. Financial information may be blacked out.
| Eligible Dependents | Required Documents to Enroll Dependent |
|---|---|
Domestic Partner
|
|
| Dependent Children Under Age 26 |
|
If you would like to enroll in medical insurance and you have not lost prior coverage within the last 30 days, you can enroll but will be subject to a waiting period of 30 days from the time you submit all required paperwork and documentation for coverage to begin.
Deductions for medical insurance will be taken on an after-tax basis. A notice with instructions will be sent out at the end of each calendar year for you to switch to pre-tax deductions for the upcoming calendar year.
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll in Medical Insurance | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) | If enrolling dependents, see required documentation below | 30 days from date of prior coverage termination | Date of prior coverage termination |
You may be able to add dependent(s) to your medical insurance for family coverage. Listed below is the documentation that will be required to enroll your dependent(s). If you are unable to provide one of the required documents, contact Human Resources to discuss possible alternatives.
| Eligible Dependents | Required Documentation to Enroll Dependent |
|---|---|
| Spouse |
|
Multiple documents may be used for proof of joint financial obligation including a joint tax return, mortgage or lease agreement, bill or bank account. Financial information may be blacked out.
| Eligible Dependents | Required Documents to Enroll Dependent |
|---|---|
Domestic Partner
|
|
| Dependent Children Under Age 26 |
|
If you are reappointed to your position and you are currently enrolled in the plan, your coverage will automatically be extended based on the dates of your reappointment received by Human Resources from your department. You will not need to attend an enrollment session or submit new enrollment forms.
Human Resources will send you an invitation to an upcoming benefit orientation upon review of your medical benefits eligibility. Your benefits eligibility is reviewed by Human Resources when your employment information is submitted by your department.
Enrollment in medical insurance is voluntary — you will not be automatically enrolled in a plan. You must attend an entire orientation session in order to enroll.
Newly eligible employees must enroll within 42 days of their appointment begin date. Coverage is effective 42 calendar days from your appointment begin date. If you do not attend a session and do not enroll within 42 days of your appointment begin date, you may be subject to a late enrollment period, which would delay your benefits.
| Plan | Bi-weekly Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Family | |
Empire Plan (PPO) Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) | $16.84 | $117.37 |
Once enrolled, you may be able to make changes to your medical insurance. Choose your event from the life events listed below to find the actions to take.
All required forms and documentation must be received in Human Resources by the listed deadline in order for the change to be made. Submit all forms and documentation to:
Human Resources
120 Crofts Hall
North Campus
State Benefits
Human Resources
Phone: 716-645-7777
Email: ub-hr-benefits@buffalo.edu
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll my spouse | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) |
| 30 days from date of marriage | Date of marriage |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Enroll my domestic partner
| GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G)
NYSHIP Application for Enrolling Domestic Partners (PS-425.1) |
| No deadline | Determined upon review |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll my child | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) |
| 30 days from date of birth | Date of birth |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll my spouse | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) |
| 30 days from date of prior coverage termination | Date of prior coverage termination |
Multiple documents may be used for proof of joint financial obligation including a joint tax return, mortgage or lease agreement, bill or bank account. Financial information may be blacked out.
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documentation | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll my child | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) |
| 30 days from date of prior coverage termination | Date of prior coverage termination |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documentation | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Enroll my domestic partner
| GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G)
NYSHIP Application for Enrolling Domestic Partners (PS-425.1) |
| 30 days from date of prior coverage termination | Date of prior coverage termination |
Multiple documents may be used for proof of joint financial obligation including a joint tax return, mortgage or lease agreement, bill or bank account. Financial information may be blacked out.
If you want to change from individual to family coverage and one of the above events does not apply, you may still change but there will be a waiting period for benefits for your dependent. In addition, your deductions for health insurance will be after tax.
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll my spouse | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) |
| Prior to desired date of enrollment | 30 days from date forms and documentation received |
| Enroll my child | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) |
| Prior to desired date of enrollment | 30 days from date forms and documentation received |
Multiple documents may be used for proof of joint financial obligation including a joint tax return, mortgage or lease agreement, bill or bank account. Financial information may be blacked out.
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll my spouse | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) |
| Prior to desired date of enrollment | Determined upon review |
| Enroll my child | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) |
| Prior to desired date of enrollment | Determined upon review |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove my spouse | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) | Legal separation or divorce documentation | 30 days from date of separation or divorce | Date of separation or divorce |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove my dependent(s) | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) | Letter from new coverage provider stating effective date of coverage | 30 days from new coverage effective date | Date new coverage begins |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove my domestic partner | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G)
| None | No deadline | Determined upon review |
If you want to change from family to individual coverage and one of the above events does not apply, you cannot change your health insuranance.
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove my dependent | GSEU Health Insurance Enrollment and Change (PS-404G) | None | Prior to desired date of coverage termination | Determined upon review |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Termination Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancel my enrollment | Letter from new coverage provider stating effective date of coverage | 30 days from new coverage effective date | Date new coverage begins |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Termination Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancel my enrollmen t | Documentation stating effective date of leave without pay | 30 days from start date of leave | Date leave began |
If you want to cancel your coverage and one of the above events does not apply, you cannot change your health insurance.
Medical insurance coverage ends two full payperiods following your appointment end date.
The Department of Civil Service, Employee Benefits Division, will send information regarding COBRA to your home address after your coverage has terminated. COBRA is a federal law that allows the voluntary continuation of the same coverage at full cost.
Contact the Employee Benefits Division at 800-833-4344 with questions regarding COBRA continuation of coverage.
2019 Rates
| Plan | Monthly Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Family | |
Empire Plan (PPO) Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) | $308.22 | $1,138.46 |
Dental and vision coverage is provided in addition to your medical insurance. Benefits take effect as of your appointment begin date. The cost is included in your medical insurance biweekly deduction. You must enroll in medical, dental and vision benefits together.
