If you are an adjunct with NYSHIP insurance who is planning on teaching again in the fall, be prepared for extra deductions in your final four paychecks this spring (April 17th, May 1st, May 15th, May 29th).  

In order to ensure that adjuncts have summer insurance coverage, NYSHIP is planning to deduct your summer insurance premiums from your paychecks this spring.  In the past, this was an opt-in plan and students who did not opt in would then have the deductions taken out of their first fall paychecks.  If they were to lose their fall teaching position, their insurance coverage would be retroactively nullified and students would be left having to pay out of pocket for any summer appointments, procedures, hospital stays, etc.  To avoid this potential calamity, adjuncts will now pay up front for the summer.

How much is coming out of my paycheck?

For the pay dates on April 17th, May 1st, and May 15th, you will see a deduction of your normal insurance rate PLUS TWO MORE.  So if you have individual coverage a total of  $31.17 will come out of your check.  For family coverage, this amount is $195.30!  The final pay date, May 29th, will have your rate plus one additional deduction: a total of $20.78 for individuals, $130.20 for families.

Can I opt out?

Well, yes, but…  You are only allowed to opt out of the deductions if you expect a summer appointment (in which case the deductions will occur during the summer pay periods), if you are graduating, or if you will not have a NYSHIP-eligible position in the fall.  To opt out, please fill out the form below and return it to Scott Voohees, the GC’s NYSHIP coordinator, in the Student Affairs office, room 7301, or via email or fax (email address and fax number are included on the form).

For any adjunct who will continue to adjunct in the Fall 2014 semester at a CUNY school, you will have these deductions taken out of your coming paychecks.

(Editorial note from the Officer of Health and Wellness: This piece of news was just recently run by me and I asked to have the whole program be opt-out as it is very short notice for some people to be missing such a large chunk of their paycheck, money they might be depending on this spring.  My concerns did reach the University Benefits Office, but apparently had no effect.  If you will be experiencing financial hardship because of this sudden cut in your take-home pay, please email me, Jen, at health@cunydsc.org or email the Adjunct Project at theadjunctproject@gmail.com.)

[gview file=”http://opencuny.org/healthdsc/files/2014/03/NYSHIP-Summer-Coverage-2014.pdf”]