GA/TA FAQs | Human Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

If you complete the health insurance enrollment form within 30 days of your appointment start date; insurance becomes effective on the appointment start date. If the enrollment form is completed after 30 days from your appointment start date there will be a 30 day waiting period.
The plan is called the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), SUNY Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) for Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU). The Medical part of the plan uses Empire Providers.

The Dental benefits are administered by GHI and the Vision benefits through EyeMed.
Please see below for ways to view a list of participating providers, please note that the Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits are administered by different companies and therefore have different lists of participating providers.
- Medical: www.empireplanproviders.com
- Dental: Call 1-800-947-0101
- Vision: Call 1-888-588-4823
- Medical: Yes, however it will be covered at an out-of-network benefit. Please call 1-877-769-7447 for information on your out of pocket costs.
- Dental / Vision: No as there is not an Out-Of-Network benefit.
- Medical: See Medical Reimbursement Procedure.
- Dental: Yes although you may have to pay for services and be reimbursed for allowable charges by submitting a claim form.
- Vision: Yes although you may have to pay for services and be reimbursed for allowable charges by submitting a claim form.
There are several reasons this may have happened. You need to contact the insurance company directly at 1-877-769-7447 to inquire about hospital stays and doctor visits. The Benefits Office does not handle claims and therefore cannot help you with claims questions, only the insurance company can.
If you are returning in the fall as Graduate Assistant or Teaching Assistant you may be eligible to continue coverage over the summer by completing a form. Double health insurance premiums will be deducted from your paycheck beginning in May to cover the entire summer.
Your health insurance will end 28 days after the last day of the last payroll period worked. During this time you will receive a COBRA letter from the Department of Civil Service describing how to continue health insurance. You may continue coverage at group rates (plus a 2% administration fee) for up to 18 months.