BENEFITS FOR SURVIVORS OF DECEASED COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES

Q: If I die, are my dependents eligible to continue to receive health insurance coverage?

A: Currently, all enrolled dependents of active, retired and vested employees will continue to receive coverage without charge (up to the NYSHIP rate) for three months beyond the end of the month in which the employee dies. As long as the employee worked for the County or was a NYSHIP member (under state or local municipal agencies) for at least 10 years the dependent spouse or partner may continue coverage as long as he or she does not re-marry or enter a new partnership, Under certain collective bargaining agreements there is an additional nine months of coverage for enrolled dependents of active employees with no additional charge (up to the NYSHIP rate).

If your dependents are not entitled to the additional nine months of free coverage under a collective bargaining agreement, and you worked for the County or were a NYSHIP member for at least 10 years (“qualified service”) at the time of your death, your dependent survivors may continue their coverage after the three month period, but will be required to pay the full monthly premium. If you had not completed 10 years of qualified service prior to your death, your dependents may continue coverage for a maximum of 36 months under COBRA.

Please note that dependents cannot be added to a survivor’s policy unless they were previously covered as a dependent under the Nassau County employee/retiree/vestee’s coverage (except for unborn children or children in the adoption process).

Rules Under Current Bargaining Agreements:

CSEA, COBA and IPBA: Spouse/Domestic Partners and dependent children up to age 26 of active employees receive a total of one year without charge (up to the NYSHIP rate).

Spouse/Domestic Partners and dependents children up to age 26 of retirees and vestees receive a total of three months without charge, after which they must pay the full premium.

COBA (in line of duty): Spouse/Domestic Partner, as long as they do not re-marry, and dependent children up to age 26 receive coverage without charge (up to the NYSHIP rate)

PBA, DAI, SOA: Spouse/Domestic Partner, as long as they do not re-marry, and dependent children up to age 26 receive coverage without charge (up to the NYSHIP rate)

For more information, active employees should contact their department’s Human Resources Representative. Retirees may Contact Us at the Comptroller’s Office, Health Benefits Unit or call (516) 571-2369.

Q: Why should be notified upon the death of an enrollee?

A: Dependent survivors should forward a copy of the death certificate to the Comptroller’s Office, Health Benefits Unit as soon as possible, but not later than 90 days after the death. This will ensure that eligible dependents are notified of their right to elect to continue survivor benefits before the coverage terminates. Please be reminded that once a survivor’s coverage terminates it cannot be reinstated.

Ensuring the County Receives Your Health Insurance Payments

Q: I am paying for health insurance after leaving the County (for example if you are a retiree who contributes to health coverage, or are continuing coverage while on leave without pay, or are a vestee continuing coverage or are a former employee’s survivor). What is the best way to make sure that my payments for health insurance are received and my coverage does not lapse?

A: The best way to make sure we receive your payments is through automatic deductions (ACH) from your bank account. To authorize automatic deduction, send a check with “VOID” written across it and the completed ACH Form authorizing us to automatically deduct your health insurance charge from your bank account to:

Nassau County Comptroller’s Office
Health Benefits Unit
240 Old Country Road, 2^nd Floor
Mineola, New York 11501

ACH payments are deducted on or about the 10^th of the month prior to the month of coverage.

Q: How do I find out what month my premiums are paid up through?

A: Call the County Comptroller’s Office, Health Benefits Unit at (516) 571-2369 for the details of your payment history.

Q: Why has my payment not been posted?

A: Checks are posted within ten days of receipt by the Comptroller’s Office. If there is a high volume of incoming checks, it may take a little longer to post.

Q: Why am I receiving mail from the County and health care providers at my old address?

A: The Comptroller's Office may not have been notified of your new address. If you are an active employee, please notify your department’s Human Resources Representative of your new address. All other enrollees should notify the Health Benefits Unit of the new address by writing to the Nassau County Comptroller’s Office, Health Benefits Unit 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York 11501. The request should include your signature. A Change of Address Request Form (PDF) is available in the Forms section in this website.