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Information - Medicare-Eligible Retiree

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FAQs Flexible Spending Accounts > MSC Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program
	What is the Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program? How can I benefit by joining this program? Who is eligible? Who is NOT eligible? When can I enroll? What is a Qualifying Event? What if I am enrolled for only a portion of the benefits period? Once I enroll, can I reinstate my City health benefits? What is the Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program? The Health Benefits Buy-Out Waiver Program allows City employees to receive an annual incentive payment for waiving their City health benefits when non-City group health coverage is available to them. Download FSA Program Forms and Brochures [back to top] How can I benefit by joining this program? An employee will receive $1,000 annually for waiving family health coverage or $500 annually for waiving individual health coverage. Payments are made semi-annually in June and December and will be taxable to the recipient. [back to top] Who is eligible? Any employee who is eligible to receive City health benefits may participate. Employees may waive their health benefits if they are insured through: A spouse's, domestic partner's or parent's employer-provided non-City group health plan; A group health plan through other employment; or Medicare Part A and Part B. [back to top] Who is NOT eligible? An employee is not eligible to waive City health benefits if retired or if his or her spouse, domestic partner, or parent is an employee of the City or a City-related agency. An employee is also excluded if he/she is covered by an individual direct payment health plan; covered by Medicaid; or on Worker's Compensation leave. [back to top] When can I enroll? To enroll in the program, an employee must complete and submit the Health Benefits Application and the Medical Spending Conversion (MSC) Enrollment/Change Form. Each year the Open Enrollment Period for the following calendar year will generally be held in October and November. New employees may enroll within 30 days after becoming eligible to receive City health benefits coverage. Enrollment during the Plan Year is possible only if a Qualifying Event occurs. After initial enrollment, annual re-enrollment is not required. Download FSA Program Forms and Brochures Download the Health Benefits Application form (PDF) [back to top] What is a Qualifying Event? A Qualifying Event is a change in family or employment status. Examples of family status changes are: Marriage; or Death; or Divorce; or A change in a spouse's, domestic partner's or parent's insurance coverage. Examples of employment status changes are: Termination of employment; or A change in a spouse's, domestic partner's, or parent's employment status that results in a change in insurance coverage; or A change in the employee's status from part-time to full-time, or vice versa. [back to top] What if I am enrolled for only a portion of the benefits period? For enrollment of less than six months, the incentive payment is pro-rated by the number of days of enrollment in the Buy-Out Waiver Program. [back to top] Once I enroll, can I reinstate my City health benefits? Yes. As an active employee, you may withdraw from the program during the annual Open Enrollment Period. To withdraw at any other time, you must experience a Qualifying Event and provide proof of loss of coverage within 30 days after that loss. [back to top]

Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs)
EAPs are staffed by professional counselors who can help employees and their eligible dependents handle problems in areas such as stress, alcoholism, drug abuse, mental health, and family difficulties.

Learn More

	PICA Program
	NYC Employee Blood Program
	Collective Bargaining Agreements
	OPA Web site
	NYC.gov