Applying for a Buy-Out Waiver due to a qualifying event

The Buy-Out Waiver program allows City employees who have other group health coverage to waive their City health benefits and receive an annual incentive payment.

Employees can apply for the Buy-Out Waiver during the transfer period or within 31 days of a qualifying event.

To apply for a Buy-Out Waiver due to a qualifying event

1. Determine if you received a NYCAPS health benefits enrollment form in the mail.
   
   
2. Select from below.
   
   
   • Yes, you received a NYCAPS health benefits enrollment form
     
     
     1. From the ESS navigation menu, do the following:
        
        
        1. Click the Employee Self-Service link.
           
           
        2. Click the Benefits link.
           
           
        3. Click the Health Benefits Enrollment link.
           
           
     2. Proceed to step 11.
        
        
   • No, you did not receive a NYCAPS Health benefits enrollment form
     
     
     1. Determine if the transfer period is open.
        
        
     2. Select from below.
        
        
        • Yes, the transfer period is open
          
          

          Important: Only one benefits event may be open at a time. During the transfer period, all employees automatically have an open benefits event, allowing them to make any change to their benefits. This event must be closed prior to making your change if you wish for the change to be effective immediately. Otherwise, changes made with the open benefits event will become effective in January.

          1. Contact your agency benefits representative or NYCAPS Central, whichever is applicable, and explain that you have a qualifying event and need to make a benefits change.
             
             
          2. Once the transfer period event is closed, proceed to step 3.
             
             
        • No, the transfer period is not open
          
          
          1. Proceed to step 3.
             
             
        • No, the transfer period is not open but I made a change that is not yet effective
          
          

          During the transfer period or as a result of a qualifying event you made a change which has not yet gone into effect.

          1. Contact your agency benefits representative or NYCAPS Central, whichever is applicable, for assistance with this change.
             
             Important: If you proceed with this change without first contacting your agency benefits representative or NYCAPS Central, your changes may not be effective when the future dated event becomes effective.
             
             
3. From the ESS navigation menu, do the following:
   
   
   1. Click the Employee Self-Service link.
      
      
   2. Click the Benefits link.
      
      
   3. Click the Life Event link.
      
      
   4. Click the Change Waiver Status link.
      
      
4. In the Effective Date of Event field, enter the effective date.
   
   
5. From the Event Type drop-down menu, select Elect Buyout Waiver.
   
   
6. Click the Submit My Event button.
   
   
7. Review your Event information carefully. Ensure that the Life Event type and Event effective date are accurate.
   
   
8. If necessary, change your selections and click the Edit my Enrollment Event button.
   
   
9. When all information is correct, click the Prepare my Enrollment Event button.
   
   The event is now ready for data entry.
   
   Important: The system is processing the event and there may be a delay before you see the next screen. Do not click the button multiple times.
   
   
10. Click the Go to my Enrollment Event button.
    
    The Health Benefits Enrollment page displays your event and status.
    
    Note: If you think you should have an open event and do not see it, contact your agency benefits representative or NYCAPS Central, whichever is applicable.
    
    
11. Click the Select button to the right of the Elect Buyout Waiver event.
    
    The Enrollment Summary displays your current coverage.
    
    
12. Click the Edit button.
    
    
13. Scroll through the list and click the radio button next to Buy Out Waiver.
    
    
14. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the Continue button.
    
    
15. Click the OK button to close the message that pops up about dependents.
    
    Note: This message is not relevant in this situation.
    
    
16. Review the summary of your election.
    
    
17. If changes are required, click the Edit button and make the appropriate changes.
    
    
18. When all information is correct, click the OK button.
    
    Your new election appears.
    
    
19. Click the Submit button to process your election.
    
    
20. Carefully read the Employee Certification in order to understand the terms and conditions of your election.
    
    
21. Select from below.
    
    
    • You are ready to submit your elections
      
      
      1. Click the Submit button.
         
         Your benefit choices have now been successfully submitted.
         
         
      2. Click the OK button.
         
         Your election will be placed in Pending status until you return the MSC form to your agency benefits representative or NYCAPS Central.
         
         
      3. Print the eBenefits coversheet.
         eBenefits coversheet
         
         
      4. Complete the coversheet.
         
         
      5. Print the MSC form.
         
         
      6. Complete the MSC form.
         
         
      7. Gather your supporting documentation. Be sure to include your employee ID on all supporting documentation.
         
         
      8. Submit the coversheet, supporting documentation and the MSC form to your agency benefits representative or NYCAPS Central, whichever is applicable.
         
         
      9. Once supporting documentation is received and approved, the change processes overnight. The following day, a confirmation statement will be mailed to you.
         
         Important: Payment will be made according to the Buy-Out Waiver program schedule.
         
         
    • You are not ready to submit your elections or you wish to make a change
      
      
      1. Click the Cancel button.
         
         No enrollment action will be taken.
         
         
      2. When you are ready to finalize your election and submit your changes, return to ESS and repeat this procedure.
         
         This event will remain open for 31 days from the date of the qualifying event.
         
         

---

Related topics
Buy-Out Waiver program
Waiving health benefits due to a qualifying event

2023

Last revised: March 9, 2009