The New York State Department of Civil Service has announced the Option Transfer Period, with a deadline of Dec. 31. During this period, contract college employees can change their health plans and establish flexible spending accounts for next year.

Contract college employees can change from the Empire Plan to an HMO or vice versa, change from an HMO to another HMO, change from family to individual coverage or cancel their health plan coverage. If no action is taken, you will automatically be enrolled for 2013 at the same coverage level you have now. Benefit Services has limited information on the following changes, but would ask that you call the numbers indicated for up-to-date details:

To make changes, submit the New York State Health Insurance Transaction (PS-404) Form (PDF). The form must be signed and postmarked by Dec. 31 or delivered to Benefit Services in 130 Day Hall, before 5 p.m., Dec. 21, when Benefit Services closes for winter break.

During the Option Transfer Period, contract college faculty and staff can also establish a 2013 medical and/or dependent-care flexible spending account to use pre-tax dollars to pay medical and dependent care expenses. You must enroll each year if you wish to participate in a flexible spending account. To enroll, choose eBenefits at Employee Essentials. Note: If you have been notified that you are a recipient of a Child Care Subsidy Grant for 2013, you need to enroll in the Flexible Spending Dependent Care Account to claim your grant money. The same deadlines apply as for health plan changes, but you can also enroll in a flexible spending account online before midnight of Dec. 31 instead of submitting a paper form.

More information on both health plans and flexible spending accounts can be found online or from the Resource Center at Benefit Services at 607-255-3936 or benefits@cornell.edu. Current health plan participants also receive information at their home addresses from the New York State Department of Civil Service.