Department of Civil Service

NY26-15

TO: New York State Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Open Enrollment for Plan Year 2027
DATE: August 13, 2026

Beginning in December 2026, NYSHIP will offer Open Enrollment in place of Option Transfer.

Open Enrollment is currently scheduled to run from December 1 to 31, 2026, but dates may vary depending on the timing of annual rate approval. During Open Enrollment, employees can make the following changes for the 2027 plan year:

• Enroll in NYSHIP for the first time with no waiting period or qualifying event^*
• Change between The Empire Plan, a NYSHIP HMO or the Opt-Out Program (if eligible)
• Switch from Individual to Family coverage or add previously eligible dependents to existing Family coverage with no waiting period or qualifying event^*
• Switch from Family to Individual coverage
• Enroll in the Young Adult Option (YAO)
• Change their Pre-Tax Contribution Program (PTCP) status
• Enroll in the Productivity Enhancement Program (if eligible)

* Represents a change in NYSHIP policy.

All processes for submitting health plan option change requests, PTCP updates and PEP enrollment forms will remain the same.

Planning for Option Transfer Discontinued

Planning for Option Transfer has been discontinued. Information previously communicated in this publication will appear in Rates and Information for 2027.

Health Insurance Choices

Health Insurance Choices for 2027 includes information about health plan options and benefits available to NYSHIP enrollees (both active employees and retirees). There will be two versions of the publication this year:

• Choices for “settled” groups (active NYS enrollees represented by CSEA, PEF and UUP; M/C and the Legislature; UCS justices, judges, nonjudicial employees and employees designated M/C; NYS retirees)^**
• Choices for “unsettled” groups (active NYS enrollees represented by C-82, DC-37, NYSCOPBA, PBA, PBANYS and PIA)^**

Both versions will be available at nyship.ny.gov in mid-October. They will not be mailed to enrollee homes.

** “Settled” and “unsettled” group listings are pending ratification of union contracts and subject to change.

Rates and Information for Active Enrollees

Rates and Information for active NY enrollees will include:

• 2027 biweekly premium amounts for The Empire Plan and HMOs
• Opt-Out Program, PTCP and PEP eligibility and enrollment information
• Instructions for making changes during Open Enrollment

This publication will be mailed to enrollee homes and posted on the NYSHIP website once rates have been approved.

Rates and Information for Enrollees With Retiree Benefits

NYSHIP enrollees with retiree benefits^*** are permitted to change health plans once during a 12-month period. Rates and Information for NY retirees will be mailed to enrollee homes and posted on the NYSHIP website once rates have been approved.

*** NYSHIP enrollees with retiree benefits include retirees, vestees, dependent survivors and preferred list enrollees, their covered dependents, and COBRA enrollees.

NYSHIP’s Plan Comparison Tool

The Plan Comparison Tool on the NYSHIP website lets enrollees compare NYSHIP plans in their area. After selecting their group and location, enrollees can generate a comparison of any of the following for the plans available to them:

• Medical and hospital care benefits
• Prescription drug, mental health and substance use coverage
• Copayment and coinsurance amounts
• Coverage limits and out-of-pocket maximums
• Incentive and support programs offered

Information Online

Enrollees can access all Open Enrollment resources on the NYSHIP website at nyship.ny.gov. Publications will also be available on HBA Online at cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits/hba.

Order Printed Copies

To order printed copies of Choices or Rates and Information, please use the ordering system on HBA Online at cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits/hba. If you need help accessing HBA Online, contact the HBA Helpline at 518-474-2780. If you have any questions about Open Enrollment publications or distribution, please email the Communications Unit at communications@cs.ny.gov.

Open Enrollment Webinar for HBAs
The Employee Benefits Division will present information about NYSHIP’s transition from Option Transfer to Open Enrollment and answer questions during a Microsoft Teams webinar on Thursday, September 10 from 3 to 4 p.m. To register, please visit the following URL:

events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/30add873-1388-4a39-b4af-a2e14221fa4f@f46cb8ea-7900-4d10-8ceb-80e8c1c81ee7

This webinar is optional and separate from the mandatory webinar hosted annually by the Employee Benefits Division each fall. Details about the mandatory webinar will be shared via a separate memo.