NYC Health Benefits Program


On May 4, 2020 the Employee Benefits Security Administration ("EBSA") in the Department of Labor ("DOL") and the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") issued a Joint Notice providing new guidance on delays due to COVID-19 affecting all health and retirement plans, with implications for governmental plans.

The Joint Notice designates a period of time, called the "Outbreak Period," that begins on March 1, 2020 and ends 60 days after the announced date of the end of national emergency related to COVID-19 or such other date announced by EBSA and IRS. Thus, the end date of the period is currently unknown. 

Changes In Family Status - Adding/Dropping Dependents. Extension of the 30-day period to request to add/drop dependents. Employees should report all changes in family status to their agency health benefits or payroll office or NYCAPS Central at (212) 487-0500 (Department of Education employees should contact HR Connect at (718) 935-4000) not later than 30 days after the end of the Outbreak Period. Changes include adding a dependent due to marriage, domestic partnership, birth or adoption of a child, and to drop dependents due to death, divorce, termination of domestic partnership, or a child reaching an ineligible age.

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Changes In Family Status - Adding/Dropping Dependents

Retirees should report all changes in family status. Read More

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Retirees should report all changes in family status to the NYC Health Benefits Program within 30 days after the event.  Changes include adding a dependent due to marriage, domestic partnership, birth or adoption of a child, and to drop dependents due to death, divorce, termination of domestic partnership, or a child reaching an ineligible age. If a covered dependent loses eligibility, that person may obtain benefits through the COBRA Continuation of Benefits provisions.


Health Benefit Changes - Retiree Transfer Period

The Retiree Health Benefits Transfer Period is held every year, in the Fall.Read More

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A Health Benefits Transfer Period is held annually. During this period, all retirees may transfer from their current health plan to any other plan for which they are eligible, or they may add Optional Rider coverage to their present plan (the Optional Rider can be dropped at any time). 


Exception: When transferring into a Medicare HMO plan other than during Transfer Periods, transfers will become effective on the first day of the month following the processing of the special health plan application provided by the health plan.



Once your transfer request is submitted your change is Irrevocable.


Required Documentation for Dependent Changes

Learn what kind of documentation you are required to submit.  Read More

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If you are including a spouse on your coverage, and you have been married for more than one year, you must submit a Government issued Marriage Certificate AND Federal Tax Return from the last two years, (only send the first page of your tax return which shows your spouse) OR Proof of Joint Ownership issued within the last six months (with both names) such as a mortgage statement, lease agreement, utility bills, bank statement, credit card statements and property tax statements.  If you are including a domestic partner on your coverage, and you have been registered for more than one year, you must submit a Government issued Certificate of Domestic Partnership AND Proof of Joint Ownership issued within the last six months (with both names) such as a mortgage statement, lease agreement, utility bills, bank statement, credit card statements and property tax statements.



Once-In-A-Lifetime Transfers

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Retirees who have been retired for at least one year can take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime provision to transfer or add an optional rider at any time. Once-in-a-lifetime transfers become effective on the first of the month following the date that the Health Benefits Application is processed.