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prospective changes to the percentage of credit to be available under this

alternative method for future retirees as required to maintain the cost

neutrality of this feature of the plan. The selection of the method of sick
leave credit application must be made at the time of retirement, and is

irrevocable. In the absence of a selection by the employee, the basic
method shall be applied.

(c) Eligible enrollees who opt-out of NYSHIP coverage pursuant to
Section 9.16 of this Article shall be deemed to be “enrolled” in NYSHIP

for the sole purpose of eligibility for retiree health insurance coverage.
§9.29 Deferral of Health Insurance

An employee retiring from State service may delay commencement or
suspend his/her retiree health coverage and the use of the employee's sick

leave conversion credits indefinitely, provided that the employee applies
for the delay or suspension, and furnishes proof of continued coverage

under the health care plan of the employee's spouse, or from post retirement
employment.

§9.30 Joint Committee on Health Benefits
(a) The State and CSEA agree to continue the Joint Committee on Health

Benefits.
(b) The State shall seek the appropriation of funds by the Legislature to

support committee initiatives and to carry out the administrative
responsibilities of the Joint Committee in the amount indicated for each

year of the agreement: $1,412,700 in 2016-17, $1,440,954 in 2017-18,
$1,469,773 in 2018-19, $1,499,169 in 2019-20, $1,529,152 in 2020-21.

(c) The Joint Committee on Health Benefits shall work with appropriate

State agencies to make mutually agreed upon changes in the Plan benefit
structure through such initiatives as:
(1) The annual HMO Review Process;

(2) The ongoing review and oversight of the Empire Plan Medical

Program, Hospital Program, Prescription Drug Program, and the Managed
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment Program;

(3) The ongoing review and oversight of the Managed Physical Medicine
Program;

(4) The continuation of the Benefits Management Program and annual
review of the list of procedures requiring Prospective Procedure Review.

The JCHB and the State will evaluate the current pre-notification of

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