Employee Benefits

Important Health Coverage Tax Documents - Individuals who are enrolled in a City of Albany medical plan may request a Form 1095-C by contacting the Office of Human Resources at:
HR@albanyny.gov
City of Albany Office of Human Resources, 24 Eagle Street Room 301, Albany, NY 12207
(518) 434-5049

Outside of November's Open Enrollment, employee benefits may only be updated if you experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). Common QLE’s include: birth or adoption of a child, loss of coverage marriage, divorce, domestic partnership, dissolution of domestic partnership, and over age dependents. Proper supporting documentation must be submitted to the Office of Human Resources within 30 days of a QLE. 

Benefit changes are made through the City of Albany’s eSuite HR Portal at https://selfservice.albanyny.gov/. The eSuite HR Portal must be accessed from a City of Albany computer - It does not work on personal computers or phones. Plan summaries and rates are below, on the eSuite HR Portal, and in the Office of Human Resources.

When using the eSuite HR Portal, if you have forgotten your username or password:

  • Go to https://selfservice.albanyny.gov on a city computer
  • Click “eSuite HR Portal”
  • Click “Login to My Account” 
  • Go to “Forgot Username?” or “Forgot password?”
  • Click “Retrieve Username” of “Reset Password”
  • Follow the prompts
  • Still having issues? Call the IT Help Desk at (518) 434-5016.

Frequently Asked Questions


What if I have additional questions?

Email hr@albanyny.gov, call 518-434-5049 or visit the staff in City Hall Room 301. 

What if I forgot my eSuite username or password?

  • Go to https://selfservice.albanyny.gov on a city computer
  • Click “eSuite HR Portal”
  • Click “Login to My Account” 
  • Go “Forgot Username?” 
  • Click “Retrieve Username” 
  • Follow the prompts
  • Still having issues? Call the IT Help Desk at 518-434-5016.

What happens if I do not enroll? 

If you do not enroll by November 30, your current coverage doesn’t change and carries over to next year. 

However, you still must declare what you want to do with your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) typically used for medication or other health-related expenses.

How do I make updates/changes? 

Check your AlbanyNY.gov email. Multiple messages and reminders will be sent throughout November with direct links.

OR

  • Go to https://selfservice.albanyny.gov on a City computer. (Cannot be accessed on a personal computer)
  • Go to eSuite HR Portal
  • Sign In
  • Follow enrollment instructions

What changes can I make? 

  • add, change, or remove medical, dental, or vision coverage for yourself
  • add, change, or remove coverage for a qualifying dependent (if removed, the person will not be removed from the system for record-keeping purposes)
  • change pre/post-tax deductions
  • change your Flexible Spending Account

Who is considered a qualifying dependent? 

  • Spouses
  • domestic partners
  • stepchildren under 26 years old (documentation required)
  • custodial children under 26 years old (documentation required)
  • domestic partner’s children under 26 years old (documentation required)
  • disabled children (if over 26 years old, documentation required) 

What documentation do I need for dependents? 

  • Spouses - Social Security number and marriage license or certificate 
  • Domestic Partners -Social Security number and domestic partner certificate 
  • Children - Social Security number and birth certificate, adoption order, or custodial order (For domestic partner’s children - domestic partner’s tax return)

Do new hires have the option to change benefits during open enrollment? 

Yes. 

First, as part of the onboarding process and benefits begin one month from the date of hire. 

Second, during open benefits enrollment in November.

What if I am not making any changes? 

Still access New World eSuite to update emergency contact information, review your status, ensure that all information is accurate, make your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) declaration. 

What ID cards should I have?

  • In general, if you are enrolled in Anthem – 1. The only card you will have is the Anthem ID card (Medical and Prescription).
  • In general, if you are enrolled in CDPHP – 2. The first card is your CDPHP Medical ID card; the second card is your Anthem Prescription coverage card.
  • If you are enrolled in Delta Dental you will receive an additional card.
  • If you are enrolled in Davis Vision, your social security number acts as your ID card.

Will I receive a new medical ID card if I switch plans or make updates? 

Yes, if you switch medical plans or make updates. Cards are sent in December. 

If I do not switch medical plans, is my current ID card still valid? 

Yes, if you do not change your plan. 

I lost an ID card. How do I get a replacement? 

  • CDPHP - Call 518-641-3140 or log into your CDPHP account and download a digital card 
  • Anthem – Call 844-235-4454 or log into your Anthem account and download a digital card 
  • Anthem Pharmacy Benefits (CarelonRx)- Call 1-833-419-0530
  • Delta Dental - Log into your account at deltadentalins.com. 
  • Davis Vision - Davis Vision does not provide ID cards. Optometrists will contact Davis Vision directly using your Social Security Number for verification.

What is a Qualifying Life Event? 

Send proper documentation to Human Resources within 30 days of:

  • Marriage
  • Divorce
  • Death
  • Birth of a Child
  • Adoption
  • Custody
  • Loss of coverage 

How can I find out which plan I am currently enrolled in? 

Log in to your eSuite account at https://selfservice.albanyny.gov on a City of Albany computer. eSuite cannot be accessed on a personal computer.

Which health insurance plan is best for me? 

This decision is yours to make. Review summaries to help choose which one best suits you and your family’s needs. 

Do CDPHP and Empire have the same provider network? 

No.

CDPHP has a local network and Anthem has a national network.

Can I enroll in Dental and Vision if I receive the Health Insurance Buyout? 

Yes, the buyout is only tied to medical plans. 

How long can my children be enrolled on my benefits? 

  • Medical - Children are covered until the end of their birth month when they turn 26 years old. For example, a child turning 26 years old on June 13 is covered until the following June 30.
  • Dental/Vision - Children are covered until the end of their birth month when they turn 19 years old, unless they are a full-time student. A full-time student can stay on the plans until they are no longer a full-time student or the end of month when they turn 25 years old, whichever comes first.

What happens after the child turns 26 for medical coverage?

Once a child turns 26 years old and coverage runs out, they will be offered the option to continue on the City of Albany’s Coverage through the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). COBRA allows the dependent to stay on the plan until they turn 29 years old, but they are responsible to pay 100% of the monthly premium. 

What is required to maintain dental/vision coverage?

To maintain coverage for a full-time student send Human Resources documentation showing proof of full-time student status (12 or more credits) every semester from school’s registrar’s office.  [Have language match letter]

What does pre-tax and post-tax mean? 

  • Pre-Tax – A deduction taken out before taxes are applied to remaining income (you pay less tax).
  • Post-Tax - A deduction taken out after total gross income is taxed.

What happens to my insurance when I retire? 

Contact Human Resources for additional information regarding resignation and retirement and your health insurance benefit continuation.

What if I have additional questions?

Email hr@albanyny.gov, call 518-434-5049 or visit the staff in City Hall Room 301.