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UUP Benefits
These are your benefits negotiated by NY State and your bargaining unit, UUP (United University Professions) if:
- Your affiliation is with the state AND
- Your negotiating unit is UUP or 08
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Return to My Benefits.
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Medical Insurance Eligibility
The University at Buffalo offers a variety of medical insurance options to suit your needs.
As part of your benefits package, you may be eligible for medical insurance. Human Resources will advise you of your eligibility based on your appointment information.
You can learn more about the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) including eligibility requirements by reviewing the NYSHIP General Information Booklet.
Dependent Eligibility for Medical Insurance
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).
The NYSHIP General Information Book provides full dependent eligibility information.
A Social Security Number is Required for Dependents
Dependents who have not obtained work authorization can visit an SSA office and request a denial letter (SSA-L676), which states that the individual is not eligible for a Social Security number. This letter does not affect an individual’s ability to request a Social Security number in the future. This option is encouraged for minor children.
Your Spouse
Your spouse, including a legally-separated spouse, is eligible for NYSHIP coverage. If you are divorced or your marriage has been annulled, your former spouse is not eligible, even if a court orders you to maintain coverage.
Your Domestic Partner
For eligibility under NYSHIP, you will be required to provide additional documentation and certification of your domestic partnership.
Under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules, the fair market value cost of your domestic partner’s coverage, referred to as imputed income, is considered to be a taxable fringe benefit. The imputed income will increase your taxable gross income for federal and state income taxes, as well as Social Security and Medicare payroll taxes.
Your Child(ren)
The following children are eligible for coverage until age 26:
- Your natural child
- Your stepchild
- Your domestic partner’s child
- Your legally-adopted child, including a child in a waiting period prior to finalization of adoption
"Other" Children as defined by NYSHIP:
You may cover “other” children by filing a NYSHIP Statement of Dependence for “Other” Children (PS-457) form to verify eligibility (recertification required every two years).
Disabled children age 26 or older:
You will be required to submit a NYSHIP Statement of Disability for Dependents (PS-451) form to the Plan administrator and provide medical documentation to qualify a disabled child over age 26 for NYSHIP coverage. You will be asked to recertify periodically based on Social Security Administration criteria.
Young Adult Option:
The Young Adult Option allows a qualifying child age 29 or younger of a NYSHIP enrollee to purchase Individual health insurance coverage through NYSHIP when they do not otherwise qualify as a dependent. The young adult or their parent is required to pay the full cost of premium for Individual coverage.
New Employees
Welcome to the University at Buffalo! Benefit Services (State) will contact you with initial benefit enrollment information. Review enrollment instructions and deadlines included in the benefit information you receive carefully. Failure to enroll timely may result in an extended waiting period for coverage to begin.
Enrollment in medical insurance is voluntary. You will not be automatically enrolled in a plan. Your waiting period for coverage to begin will be based on your appointment with the University.
Establish Your UB Email
Communications from Benefit Services (State) will be sent to your UB email (@buffalo.edu). Set up your email to receive important benefit information.
NYSHIP Health Insurance Resources
Transferring Employees
Contact Benefit Services (State) for guidance if you are transferring from another SUNY Institution and/or New York State Agency or changing negotiating units.
NYSHIP Health Insurance Resources
Current Employees
Following your initial eligibility for health insurance, you may want to enroll in a NYSHIP plan, cancel coverage or make changes to your current plan. Allowable options will be based on your request and whether you are experiencing a qualifying event. Certain changes are not allowable outside of the annual option transfer period. Contact Benefit Services (State) as soon as possible as deadlines may apply.
Benefit Services for State must receive your completed paperwork within 30 days of a NYSHIP qualifying event.
NYSHIP Enrollment and Plan Changes
Contact the Benefits Team
The State Benefit Services Team is available to answer your questions. Use our contact information below to access all team members for the fastest response.
Department Leadership
Contact our department leaders for additional assistance.
![Lissa Jasinowski.]()
Lissa Jasinowski
Assistant Director
Benefits and Work Life Balance
Phone: (716) 645-4488
Email: lmt22@buffalo.edu
Biweekly Cost
The employee cost share is based on a salary threshold as detailed on the current health insurance rate information.
Summer Coverage
Ten-month employees paid over 20 or 21 pay periods may continue coverage over the summer months. To maintain coverage, it is necessary to deduct additional health insurance premiums from your last paychecks in the spring semester. If you do not earn enough in your biweekly paycheck to accomodate the extra deductions, you will receive a letter from the Department of Civil Service advising how much you owe and the process to make your payment(s).
If you do not return in the following fall semester, your health insurance will end at that that time. If you do return, health insurance deductions will resume at that time.
Human Resources will notify you near the end of the spring semester indicating how these additional deductions will be taken, when coverage may end or when deductions will resume.
Managing My Medical Insurance
Once enrolled, you may be able to make changes to your medical insurance. Listed below are events that allow you to make changes to your plan. Contact Benefit Services to reivew your specific event and determine:
- Your eligibility to make changes to existing coverage or enroll in a NYSHIP program
- Necessary forms and documentation
- Deadline to submit forms and required documentation
All required forms and documentation must be succssfully submitted to Benefit Services within required deadlines for the change to be made. Submit all forms and documentation to our Secure UB Box Folder:
Qualifying Events
Under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules, if you are enrolled in pre-tax contribution program (PTCP), you may change your health insurance deduction during the tax year only after one of the following PTCP qualifying events:
- Change in marital status
- Change in number of dependents
- Change in your (or your dependent’s) employment status that affects eligibility for health benefits
- Change in your dependent’s status that affects eligibility for health benefits
- Change in your (or your dependent’s) place of residence or worksite that affects eligibility for health benefits
- Significant change in health benefits and/or premium under NYSHIP
- Significant change in health benefits and/or premium under your (or your dependent’s) other employer’s plan
- COBRA events
- Judgment, decree or order to provide health benefits
- Medicare or Medicaid eligibility
- Leaves of absence
- HIPAA special enrollment rights
The PTCP qualifying event must affect eligibility for health benefits, and any requested change to your pre-tax health insurance deductions must be consistent with the event.
Qualifying Event Deadlines Apply
A request for a change in pre-tax health insurance deductions due to a qualifying event must be consistent with the event and made within 30 days of the event (or within the waiting period if newly eligible). Delays may be expensive.
Arbitrary Changes Not Permitted During the Year
If no pre-tax qualifying event has occurred, you must wait until the next annual PTCP Election Period during the annual Option Transfer Period to change your pre-tax deduction for the next plan year.
Annual Option Transfer Period
During option transfer, active state employees who are enrolled in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) are eligible to:
- Transfer health care options
- Change from family to individual coverage
- Voluntarily cancel coverage
- Enroll in the Opt-out Program (if eligible)
- Change your Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP) election
Option Transfer is generally announced at the end of a calendar year, for changes effective in the next calendar year.
No Open Enrollment Period
If you do not enroll in a NYSHIP program when initially eligible, you may enroll:
- If you experience a qualifying event and successfully submit required forms and documentation within designated deadlines.
- Without a qualifying event, you may enroll and be subject to a waiting period for coverage to begin.
Resources
Contact the Benefits Team
The State Benefit Services Team is available to answer your questions. Use our contact information below to access all team members for the fastest response.
Department Leadership
Contact our department leaders for additional assistance.
![Lissa Jasinowski.]()
Lissa Jasinowski
Assistant Director
Benefits and Work Life Balance
Phone: (716) 645-4488
Email: lmt22@buffalo.edu
Coverage Termination
Medical insurance coverage ends two full pay periods 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.
Monthly COBRA Rates
Dental and Vision Coverage
Dental and vision coverage is provided through the UUP Benefit Trust Fund. Benefits take effect following a 28 calendar day waiting period. There is no cost for enrollment.
Contact the UUP Benefit Trust Fund for questions or concerns regarding your dental and vision coverage.