It’s possible to lose NYSHIP eligibility and/or NYSHIP coverage. If you have specific questions, speak with the Employee Benefits Division (EBD) or your HBA. Your General Information Book will also have information regarding losing NYSHIP eligibility.
Losing Other Coverage?
If you’re losing your other health insurance coverage and you want to enroll in NYSHIP, speak with your HBA or Agency Contact.
Suspending Coverage
As a retiree, you can suspend your NYSHIP coverage. If you choose to suspend your retiree coverage, your coverage will end on the last day of the last month that you paid the NYSHIP premium, or the date of your request, provided your health insurance deductions were up-to-date.
Consequences
If you die while your coverage is canceled or suspended, your dependents will have no right to continue coverage as dependent survivors. If your NYSHIP vestee coverage is canceled prior to your retirement eligibility, you will not be able to reinstate your NYSHIP vestee coverage and you will not be eligible for NYSHIP retiree coverage.
Nonpayment of Premium
If you do not make your premium payments, your coverage will cease as of the end of the last pay period in which your deductions and/or payments were made.
If premiums were in arrears prior to leaving the payroll, all deductions and/or direct payments made to EBD will be applied to a previous unpaid pay period.
If You Lose Eligibility
If you lose eligibility, you may have options to continue NYSHIP coverage. Speak with the EBD or your HBA or to learn what specific options are available to you.
COBRA Coverage
You may qualify for COBRA coverage. Together, the federal COBRA law and New York State “mini-COBRA” provides 36 months of continuation coverage.
Direct-Pay Conversion Contracts
Certain enrollees and their covered dependents are eligible for coverage through a direct-pay conversion contract.