I just received this from the President of CORTLI.
Joan
Attention All.
I have some more information on the Changes to the Empire Plan for Public Employees,
especially for couples with Family Coverage for both. If one of those do not OPT OUT the plan will drop the coverage on the spouse with the longest time in the plan. That could result in problems if the plan owner dies first leaving the survivor with NO coverage. The survivor would then have to apply to be reinstated as a single by their former employer, or continue for 18 months on Cobra paying 102% of the premium.
Any one who has this dual coverage would probably be best served by converting to
single coverage from each employer. I believe most employers would welcome that
change as it would lower the premium portion they are paying.
If that is good for you, you should make the change as soon after October 15th as possible, but no later than December 7th. This the period where coverage changes are allowed and all changes will go into effect on January 1st, 2013.
Families with dual coverage who may have children at home under the age of 26, (probably rare), will have to make another type of change but I am not sure about what would be best at this time. I will continue to seek information for you.
Remember this information is for retired Teachers and public employees in the NEW YORK STATE EMPLOYEES (NYSHIP) EMPIRE PLAN, NOT ANY OTHER PLANS INCLUDING THE BLUE CROSS / BLUE SHIELD PLAN ALSO CALLED EMPIRE PLAN.
Please note: Medicare Rights has NO information at the moment regarding these changes. Also NYSUT has no part in negotiating the NYSHIP EMPIRE PLAN, that is done by the NEW YORK STATE CSEA.
Jay