Dear COBA Members,
Yesterday, the County and the Department issued a notification announcing that the Open Enrollment Period has begun effective December 10, 2025, and will remain open through December 24, 2025.
Despite the abrupt start date, which was not communicated to any Labor Union, including COBA.
Due to the hard work of your COBA Executive Board, all those members with Anthem will see a DRAMATIC DECREASE in health insurance costs compared to 2025. This will result in those members seeing an INCREASE in their NET PAY CHECK!
In 2025 COBA members hired after June 2014 paid the following per check for Anthem Plan.
Individual: $46.43 per check totaling $1,114.32
Family Plan: $141.37 per check, totaling $3,392.88
***NEW FOR 2026***
All COBA members hired after June 2014 will now pay the following for the Anthem Plan.
Individual: ZERO DOLLARS PER CHECK
Family Plan: $35.40 per check for 24 checks for a total of $849.60
This will result in our members who choose Anthem seeing the following SAVINGS!
A member who chooses the Individual Plan will see a cost savings of $1,114.32.
A member who chooses the Family Plan will see a cost savings of $2,543.28.
While we believe better communication could have enhanced this process for our members, the enrollment period is now officially open and your Union is here to assist you in any way possible.
If you have questions about your health plan options or believe the County has not provided adequate information, please feel free to contact:
Dennis Maurus – (516) 680-2078
Andrew James – (516) 913-2575
We are available to help guide you through this process.
Health Plan Information
Members Hired Prior to June 1, 2014:
Your health benefits under the Empire NYSHIP plan remain unchanged, including the 2.5% base salary contribution, deducted from 26 paychecks during 2026 as agreed upon in the contract ratified in 2023.
Members Hired On or After June 1, 2014:
You may choose between the Anthem Health Plan or the Empire NYSHIP Plan. Both plans offer comparable benefits.
The Anthem plan now offers in network services for the Stony Brook Hospital Network.
Empire NYSHIP Plan:
- Individual Plan: $120.86 per paycheck
(Deducted from 24 paychecks yearly total of 2.900.64)
- Family Plan: $274.78 per paycheck
(Deducted from 24 paychecks in 2026 for a yearly total of 6.594.72)
Each plan offers a detailed breakdown of coverage and benefits. Please review the attached literature carefully before making any changes to your current plan.
If You Are Not Making Any Changes:
If you are satisfied with your current health plan and do not wish to make changes, no action is required. Your coverage will automatically continue into the new year.
**Please Note: The Anthem Plan is currently in contract negotiations in hopes to renew the Mt. Sinai Network in their list of In-Network Providers including physicians and hospitalization. Currently, the Mt. Sinai physicians contract is due to expire on January 1, 2026 while hospitals, outpatient centers, and all other facilities are due to expire on March 1, 2026. Please understand, these contract negotiations with Mt. Sinai also effects Empire/NYSHIP plan only on hospitalizations**
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