NYSHIP Buyback Ruling Update

SAANYS and NYSUT have been actively involved in challenging NYSHIP’s (New York State Health Insurance Plan) Policy Memorandum 122R3. This policy prohibits individuals qualifying for health insurance coverage under NYSHIP’s plans from receiving money from their employers in lieu of taking health insurance when the alternate coverage is also through NYSHIP.  On June 9, 2016 the Appellate Division, Third Department, overturned its previous ruling in the NYSUT litigations that the cases were untimely and declared the prohibition invalid because the Department of Civil Service did not properly enact the policy. Late yesterday, the attorney general filed a motion for leave to appeal to the Court of Appeals with the Appellate Division. There are plans to oppose this motion, but in the short term, impacted members will have to wait longer to receive any buyback money they are potentially owed under their applicable collective bargaining agreements. SAANYS will be closely monitoring this important issue and will be providing updates as they occur.