This page provides an overview of eligibility requirements. For specific information, speak with your HBA or Agency Contact, or refer to your General Information Book.
Employee Eligibility
To be eligible for NYSHIP coverage, you must be appointed or elected to a position in State service and fulfill the specific eligibility requirements for your employee group.
When newly eligible, you will be subject to a 28-day waiting period before coverage begins. If you do not enroll when newly eligible, you will be subject to a late enrollment waiting period.
Special eligibility rules apply to employees represented by UUP. See your HBA for more information.
Employees Working Half Time or More
To be eligible for NYSHIP coverage, you must meet all the following requirements:
- You must be appointed/elected to a position in State service.
- You must be working at least half time on a regular schedule.
- You are expected to work at least six continuous biweekly payroll periods. (This requirement does not apply to paid, elected officials or members of the New York State Legislature.)
- You must be on the payroll at the time you are enrolled. (If you begin work, then take an unpaid leave of absence, you will not be eligible for NYSHIP coverage until you return to the payroll and complete a total of 28 days on the payroll, including days worked before your leave began.)
- You must not already be enrolled as an employee in NYSHIP. You may already be enrolled in NYSHIP as a dependent.
Employees Working Less Than Half Time
To be eligible for NYSHIP coverage, if you do not work at least half time on a regularly scheduled basis, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- You are a paid, elected official.
- You are a paid member of the New York State Legislature.
- You are represented by UUP and elect to pay the full premium cost.
Seasonal Employees
To be eligible for NYSHIP coverage, you are expected to work at least six months and meet all the requirements outlined in the earlier section Employees Working Half Time or More.
CSEA, PEF and DC-37
If you are a CSEA seasonal employee who is off the payroll for less than six months or a PEF or DC-37 seasonal employee who is off the payroll for less than three months, you are eligible for health insurance when you return to work. Coverage will begin on the first day of the second payroll period after the payroll period in which you return to work.
Once you become eligible for health insurance coverage, you may continue coverage for the period you are off the payroll by paying the full cost.
Other groups
If you are an unrepresented employee or are an employee represented by a group other than CSEA, PEF or DC-37, contact your HBA to find out if you are eligible to continue coverage between seasons.
Dual Coverage in NYSHIP
NYSHIP prohibits dual coverage as the enrollee. If you are already enrolled in NYSHIP as an employee or retiree, you cannot enroll again through a different employer as an employee or retiree. You must choose the employer through which you wish to be enrolled.
You can have dual NYSHIP coverage if you are covered under your own Individual coverage and also as a dependent on your partner’s Family coverage. However, New York State does not permit two Family coverages.
Refer to your General Information Book for more details.
Dependent Eligibility
You may cover your eligible dependents under NYSHIP by enrolling in Family coverage or adding eligible dependents to existing Family coverage. Dependents who meet the requirements described in this section are eligible for NYSHIP coverage. To enroll your dependent who is eligible for NYSHIP but not yet enrolled, contact your HBA or Agency Contact.
Spouse, Domestic Partner and Divorce Coverage Dependent Children Coverage