2026 NYSHIP Option Transfer Period, Dependent Status Updates, Opt Out Program & Tax Change Election Period
The university has received notice that the health insurance rates for 2026 have been
established. The deadline for changing health insurance options is December 31, 2025.
1.) NYSHIP’s new Option Transfer Guide, now available on NYSHIP Online, provides
easy access to option transfer-related information and instructions, as well as tools and
additional resources to assist you in your research. Compare benefits and costs, access
PDF versions of current Option Transfer publications and download forms with just a few
quick clicks. To access the guide, click on the link above.
To change your health insurance option for 2026, you must complete a NYS Health Insurance
Transaction Form, located here. Changes will be effective January 1, 2026.
Below are the rates for the Empire Plan. Rate changes will be reflected in your January 1, 2026
paycheck. If you are currently enrolled in an HMO, please check the following link for your
health insurance rate NYSHIP ratified rates for 2026.
2026 Empire Plan Rates UUP*/CSEA/PEF/MC*
NYSCOPBA/PBANYS
Individual (salary Grade 9 or below) $65.99
Individual (Salary Grade 10 or above) $87.99
Family (Salary Grade 9 and below) $298.75
Family (Salary Grade 10 and above) $355.24
*UUP-represented employees with an annualized salary of less than $52,413 are charged the
same premium as those who are in titles allocated or equated to salary grade 9 and below.
UUP-represented employees with an annualized salary of $52,413 or higher are charged the
same premium as those who are in titles allocated or equated to salary grade 10 and above.
*M/C (Bargaining unit 13) employees with an annualized salary of less than $54,205 are
charged the same premium as those who are in titles allocated or equated to salary grade 9 and
below. M/C (Bargaining unit 13) employees with an annualized salary of $54,205 or higher are
charged the same premium as those who are in titles allocated or equated to salary grade 10
and above.
For all New York State employees in titles allocated or equated to salary grade 9 and below, the
state will pay 88% or the cost of the premium for individual coverage and 73% for the additional
cost of family coverage.
For all New York State employees in titles allocated or equated to salary grade 10 and above,
the state will pay 84% or the cost of the premium for individual coverage and 69% for the
additional cost of family coverage.
2.) Per the recently published Empire Plan Special Report
It is important for you to keep the Civil Service Department up to date with changes in your life
(ie. address changes, marital status, dependants, etc.) to ensure you receive timely and
appropriate information about your health insurance coverage. As per the above rates,
individual coverage is less costly compared to family coverage, therefore, if you no longer have
a qualifying dependant, please notify the HR Benefits Office ASAP to minimize your bi-weekly
costs. By keeping your information up to date and only covering dependents who are eligible,
you help to keep costs down for both yourself and the Program. Note: If you are divorced or
your marriage has been annulled, your former spouse is not eligible for coverage as a
dependent as of the date of the divorce, even if a court orders you to maintain coverage.
If you fail to inform the HR Benefits Office of dependent eligibility changes, you may be
responsible for repaying all health insurance claims for ineligible dependents as early as the
date they became ineligible.
3.) 2026 Opt Out Program
New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) will again offer the Opt-Out Program,
which allows eligible employees who have other employer-sponsored group health insurance, to
opt out of their NYSHIP coverage in exchange for an incentive payment. This program is
available to employees represented by CSEA, PEF, APSU, NYSCOPBA, and Managerial
Confidential. As a reminder this program is no longer available to UUP employees. On an
annual basis, employees who elect to participate in the Opt-Out Program will receive incentive
payments totaling $1,000 for opting out of Individual coverage, or $3,000 for opting out of Family
coverage. The incentive payments will be prorated and reimbursed through the employee’s
biweekly paychecks throughout the year.
To be eligible for the Opt-Out Program, an employee must meet the following criteria:
❖ The employee must currently participate in the Opt-Out Program; OR
❖ The employee must have been enrolled in NYSHIP as a State Employee on April
1, 2025, or on the date first eligible for NYSHIP if the date is after April 1, 2025,
through the end of the plan year; AND
❖ The employee must provide information and attest to having other employer-
sponsored group health insurance in effect for the Opt-Out period.
If you are currently in the Opt Out Program you do NOT need to re-enroll. If you are interested
in participating in this program, you must complete the appropriate forms PS-404 and PS 409
and return them to the Office of Human Resources Office by December 31, 2025.
4.) 2026 Tax Change Election Period
Enrollees in the NYS Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) may elect to participate or decline
participation in the Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP) for the upcoming plan year. Current
PTCP enrollees may also make changes to their coverage, which impact the NYSHIP deduction
for the upcoming plan year, without a qualifying event.
If enrolled in PTCP, your share of the health insurance premium is deducted from your wages
before taxes are withheld, which may lower your taxes. Enrollment in PTCP also restricts
changes that can be made to the NYSHIP coverage (e.g., switching to individual coverage) to
situations in which a qualifying event takes place. Not enrolling in PTCP allows greater flexibility
to make changes to NYSHIP coverage throughout the plan year.
Your paycheck shows whether or not you are enrolled in PTCP.
If you are enrolled in PTCP, your paycheck stub shows “Regular Before-Tax Health” in the
“Before-Tax Deductions” section.
If you are not enrolled in PTCP, your paycheck stub shows “Regular After-Tax Health” in the
“After-Tax Deductions” section. Your health insurance premium is deducted from your wages
after taxes are withheld.
For more information about PTCP and the allowable coverage changes while enrolled in PTCP,
please refer to the PTCP Change Chart and PTCP Fact Sheet.
NO ACTION IS REQUIRED TO KEEP YOUR CURRENT PTCP STATUS.
If you wish to change your PTCP selection for 2026, you must file a completed NYS Health
Insurance Transaction Form (with sections 1-9 & 14 completed) and return to the HR office, 201
Culkin by December 31, 2025.
Please submit the forms by either dropping them off in 201 Culkin or electronically to
[email protected] . Please do not enter date of birth or any social security numbers on the form
to protect your confidentiality. If there are any issues with the forms, HR will reach out directly to
the employee.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Human Resources at 315-
312-2230 or [email protected].
Please visit the HR announcements page for the most up-to-date information from the college’s
Human Resources and Payroll Offices.
Dated Posted: December 1, 2025