Monthly Program Updates

 Pre-Retirement Planning Information

New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP)

If I’m enrolled in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP), do I have to enroll in Medicare too?

Yes. NYSHIP requires all enrollees to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B when first eligible for primary Medicare coverage (Medicare pays first, before NYSHIP). Your covered dependents must also be enrolled when first eligible for primary Medicare coverage.

Is there a cost for Medicare?

For most people, there is no cost for Medicare Part A coverage. There is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B coverage. If you or your dependent is eligible for Medicare coverage that is primary to NYSHIP, the State will reimburse you for the standard cost of Medicare Part B monthly premiums unless you are receiving reimbursement from another source.

For more information, go to the Department of Civil Service website at www.cs.ny.gov or call the Employee Benefits Division at (800) 833-4344.

For additional NYSHIP information, go to the Self-Help Guide to Pre-Retirement Planning, Chapter 10 at: Self-Help Guide.

For Pre-Retirement Planning information, go to: DIRECTIONS: Pre-Retirement Planning Information.

NYS Network Child Care Center Highlight

This month we are spotlighting the SUNY Cortland Campus Child Care Center.

The SUNY Cortland Child Care Center (DC4) began offering child care in 1993. The Center is located in the Education Building on the SUNY Cortland Campus. The Center serves children and families of State employees, including SUNY Cortland faculty and staff, and the community at large. All State employees receive priority enrollment.

The SUNY Cortland Child Care Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and has the capacity for 108 children. Their program offers infant, toddler, preschool, and UPK programs. Daily activities and routines are geared to promote development of children cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally. The Center also collaborates with the SUNY Cortland Early Childhood and Physical Education departments.

Some quick facts about the SUNY Cortland Child Care Center:

• The Center is open year-around, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
• The Center has seven classrooms: two infant rooms, two toddler rooms, and three preschool rooms.
• Children are provided a nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack prepared daily following the CACFP guidelines.

For additional information, visit the Center’s website at: www2.cortland.edu/offices/child-care-center or call the Center at

(607) 753-5955.  For a full list of the NYS Network Child Care Centers and additional child care information, go to: NYS Network Child Care Centers.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Making Positive Changes

The beginning of the year is a good time to reflect on the past year while considering making a positive change in the upcoming year. Here are some helpful ways to make simple behavioral changes more successful:

• Set aside time to reflect on the past year, identify an area of your life that is important to you and what you want to change about it. Commit to a specific behavioral change that reflects your values (e.g., health, family, career, finances, etc.).
• Keep your behavioral goal as simple and realistic as possible (e.g., lose a few pounds, exercise more often, spend more time with your children, save or earn more money).  
• Visualize the change you want to see and have a plan to achieve it (e.g., picturing yourself eating more fruits and vegetables or exercising more).
• Receive support (e.g., tell someone about your commitment to make a change, ask for help with your goal to make you more accountable to it).
• Don’t give up! You may not always achieve your goal every day but be kind to yourself and work toward it the next day as best you can. 

For information and resources about making positive changes in your life, contact your EAP coordinator at coordinator listing or call 1-800-822-0244.

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