M/C Classified Benefits
Your employment-related benefits are negotiated by New York state and your unit, M/C Classified (Management Confidential Classified). These are your benefits if both are true:
- Your affiliation is with the state
- Your negotiating unit is 06
Not Your Group?
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. Listed below are eligibility criteria. If you are unsure if you meet this criteria, Human Resources is available to guide you.
Nadine Burns
Health Benefits Administrator
State Benefit Services
Phone: 716-645-4471
Email: nmburns@buffalo.edu
Full Time Appointments
- Appointment must be for at least six complete biweekly pay periods
- Must be paid salaried or hourly
Part Time Appointments
- Appointment must be for at least six complete biweekly pay periods
- Must be paid salaried or hourly
- FTE must be equal to or greater than .50
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). 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 |
|
Proof of Joint Financial Obligation
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 |
|
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
Current Rates
The Opt-Out Program
If you have coverage under another employer-sponsored health insurance program, you may be eligible for an incentive payment if you opt-out of your (New York State Health Insurance Program) NYSHIP coverage.
The annual incentive payment is $1,000 for opting out of individual coverage or $3,000 for opting out of family coverage. The payment is considered taxable income and prorated and reimbursed in your biweekly paycheck throughout the year.
Eligibility
- You must be covered under an employer-sponsored group health insurance plan through other employment of your own or a plan that your spouse, domestic partner or parent has as the result of his or her employment.
- The other coverage may not allow you to opt out if it is NYSHIP coverage provided through employment with another state employer.
- NYSHIP coverage through another employer, such as a municipality, school district or public benefit corporation, qualifies as other coverage.
Ineligible Groups
- UUP (United University Professions)
- GSEU (Graduate Student Employees Union)
Enrollment
- You may be eligible to enroll when you are newly eligible for NYSHIP coverage. Human Resources can assist with enrollment during your benefits orientation.
- If you do not opt-out within a specified period from your appointment begin date (varies by union or group), you will no longer be eligible based on new employment.
- CSEA - Civil Service Employees Association: 42 calendar days from your appointment begin date
- M/C Classified: 56 calendar days from your appointment begin date
- M/C Professional: 56 calendar days from your appointment begin date
- NYSCOPBA - NY State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Associaiton, Inc.: 56 calendar days from your appointment begin date
- PBANYS - Police Benevolent Association of NY State, Inc.: 56 calendar days from your appointment begin date
- PEF - NY State Public Employees Federation: 56 calendar days from your appointment begin date
- You may be eligible to enroll during the Option Transfer period if you were enrolled in NYSHIP by April 1 of the prior plan year and remained enrolled through the end of that plan year.
Option Transfer Period
Each year New York state employees can change medical plans for the next calendar year.
The Option Transfer Period occurs over a specific period of time.
Except under very limited circumstances, this is the only time an employee is allowed to change plans.
Enrollment in the opt-out program does not continue automatically from year to year. You must enroll during each Option Transfer period and attest to having other coverage for the coming plan year.
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.
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 our Secure UB Box Folder:
Adding Dependents
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). 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 |
|
Proof of Joint Financial Obligation
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 |
|
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll my spouse | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) |
| 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
| NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) Domestic Partner Application |
| No deadline | Determined upon review |
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). 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 |
|
Proof of Joint Financial Obligation
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 |
|
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll my child | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) |
| 30 days from date of birth | Date of birth |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll my spouse | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) |
| 30 days from date of prior coverage termination | Date of prior coverage termination |
Proof of Joint Financial Obligation
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 child | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) |
| 30 days from date of prior coverage termination | Date of birth |
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline To Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Enroll my domestic partner
| NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) Domestic Partner Application |
| 30 days from date of prior coverage termination | 30 days from date of prior coverage termination |
Proof of Joint Financial Obligation
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 add a dependent and one of the above events does not apply, you may still make this change but there will be a waiting period for benefits for your dependent. In addition, your deductions for health insurance may be after-tax. You may change the after-tax deduction during the option transfer period to take effect beginning in January of the next year.
Option Transfer Period
Near the end of every year, New York state employees can change medical plans for the next calendar year.
This Option Transfer Period lasts a specific period of time and is the only time you are allowed to change plans without a qualifying life event.
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enroll my spouse | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) |
| Prior to desired date of enrollment | 5 full pay periods from date forms and documentation received |
| Enroll my child | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) |
| Prior to desired date of enrollment | 5 full pay periods from date forms and documentation received |
Proof of Joint Financial Obligation
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.
Removing Dependents
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documents | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove my spouse | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) | 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) | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) | 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 | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404)
| None | No deadline | Determined upon review |
I Want to Change from Family to Individual Coverage
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. You may change during the option transfer period to take effect beginning in January of the next year.
I Will Maintain Family Coverage
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documentation | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Effective Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remove my dependent | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) | None | Prior to desired date of coverage termination | Determined upon review |
Cancelling Coverage
| Action | Required Forms | Required Documentation | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Termination Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancel my enrollment | NYSHIP Health Insurance Enrollment or Change Form (PS-404) | 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 Documentation | Deadline to Submit Paperwork | Coverage Termination Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancel my enrollment | 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. You may change during the option transfer period to take effect beginning in January of the next year.
Option Transfer Period
Near the end of every year, New York state employees can change medical plans for the next calendar year.
This Option Transfer Period lasts a specific period of time and is the only time you are allowed to change plans without a qualifying life event.
You may be eligible to enroll in the opt-out program during the option transfer period to take effect beginning in January of the next year. Please refer to the eligibility guidelines in the option transfer information for the upcoming year.
UUP employees are not currently eligible to particiapte in the Opt-out program.
Option Transfer Period
Near the end of every year, New York state employees can change medical plans for the next calendar year.
This Option Transfer Period lasts a specific period of time and is the only time you are allowed to change plans without a qualifying life event.
Coverage Termination
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.
Current Monthly COBRA Cost
Dental and Vision Coverage
Dental and vision coverage is provided through the state of New York. There is no cost for enrollment.
Dental coverage takes effect the first of the month following 6 calendar months of employment. Vision coverage takes effect following a 56 calendar day waiting period.