The Diocese offers health insurance coverage through Excellus BlueCross BlueShield of Central New York.  Beginning January 1, 2008, the type of insurance coverage offered will be Blue EPO Balance.

Generally, as a rule, to be eligible for diocesan health insurance an employee must be classified as a full-time employee, working normally at least 30 hours per week.  However, employers do have the option of lowering the the eligibility requirement to at least 20 per week.  Health insurance can not be offered to employees working less than 20 hours per week.

An employee is eligible to participate in the Plan the first of the month after thirty days of employment.  Employees who do not join the Plan initially when eligible may join the Plan during the open enrollment periods.  The open enrollment period for employees to enter the plan in January 1 each year.  Teachers who sign a contract with a school within the Diocese of Ogdensburg are eligible for benefits on the first day of employment;  the 30 day waiting period is waived.

Please submit health insurance enrollment applications directly to the Human Resources Office.

Benefits under this Plan will terminate on the last day of the month following the date of termination.  For retirees, benefits cease on the last day of the month following the month in which the employee retired.  Please immediately notify the Human Resources Office in the event an employee should be terminated from the Plan.   Excellus BlueCross BlueShield will not accept adjustments more than 30 days old.

Monthly invoices will be mailed to employers by the Human Resources Office. A copy of the invoice should accompany payment and should reach the diocesan lockbox no later than the 15th of the current month.  Please remit payment to:

                                  Diocese of Ogdensburg - Health Insurance
                                  PO Box 106
                                  Canajoharie, NY  13317

Employers are requested to pay their health insurance invoices as billed.  Please do not pay an amount other than the billed amount.  Any changes (i.e. terminations and additions) will appear on subsequent invoices provided the Human Resources Office has been notified.  Separation and enrollment forms should be sent to the Employee Benefits Office in a timely manner to ensure accurate invoices. 

Should employees have questions regarding their individual claims they may contact our  service representative, Penny Grau, in the Watertown Excellus BlueCross BlueShield  office at (800) 433-1488.  Changes in the federal HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) law prevent Excellus BlueCross BlueShield from disclosing protected health insurance information to anyone but the subscriber. 

Effective July 1, 2005, the Diocese of Ogdensburg offers health insurance benefits to eligible retirees.  Please click to review the "Diocese of Ogdensburg Health Insurance Policy for Eligible Retirees"  for details including eligibility requirements.