FAQs

What is the NY44 Health Benefits Plan?

The plan is a self-funded Federally tax-exempt Article 44 trust providing health benefits to employees and eligible retirees of participating school districts and Erie 1 BOCES.

Nova / Independent Health provides services for residents of the eight Western New York counties of Allegany*, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming.

MVP Health Care provides services for residents in all other counties in New York state (with the exception of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming, metro NYC and Long Island).

*Allegany County providers are determined by the school district’s location.
Who to call for general questions?

Your first call should be to your human resource department or your benefits administrator. Find them here.

Remember, due to HIPAA confidentiality laws, neither the benefit administrator nor the NY44 Health Trust representatives should answer any questions about specific medical services or procedures provided to individual patients or enrollees.
Who to call about medical procedures or services?
First, use the Benefit Summary Grid to research what is covered.

Due to HIPAA confidentiality laws, neither the benefit administrator nor the NY44 Health Trust representatives should answer any questions about specific medical services or procedures provided to individual patients or enrollees. All questions regarding services, procedures or interpretation of the benefit summary grid or Summary Plan Description — related to services provided to you — need to be directed to either Independent Health or MVP customer service representatives.

Call the customer service number on the back of your medical card.
How to contact MVP Health Care?
How to contact Independent Health/Nova?

Independent Health Option

Contact Independent Health, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Phone:     (716) 631-2661
(800) 257-2753

e-mail:      wnyms@independenthealth.com
Web site:  http://www.independenthealth.com/

24-hour Medical Help Line is 1-800-501-3439
I have a question about dental coverage
What is phone, address of NY44 office?
What is the difference between the Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) and the Summary Plan Description?

The Summary of Benefits and Coverage is a synopsis of the plan that includes information in a questions and answer format about deductibles, out-of-pocket limits, provider networks and coverage examples.

The Summary Plan Description (SPD), is the legal document outlining plan details.

The SBCs and the SPDs can be found under the plan webpages.
Who can change our medical or prescription drug benefits?
Is there coverage for out-of-area college students?

Nova / Independent Health option: Students attending school outside the eight-county area of WNY have emergency medical and hospital coverage as in-network. Routine care will not be covered. All prescription drugs are covered as in-network.

MVP option: College students have emergency medical, hospital coverage and routine care as in-network.
What’s the eligibility for coverage for children ages 19 – 26?

If your child is between the ages of 19 and 26, the NY44 Health Benefits Plan Trust, in compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 for Children of Enrollees between the age 19-26, requires photocopies of the child’s social security card and birth certificate be on file in your district office.

You must also complete and sign page 2 of the enrollment application.

A child’s medical coverage with the NY44 Health Benefits Plan Trust will end on the last day of the month in which he/she reaches his/her 26th birthday. Dental coverage expires when the child turns age 24.

Please consult the appropriate Summary Plan Description that contains additional important details related to coverage eligibility for children.
When I enroll in the NY44 Health Benefits Plan, can I keep my own doctor?

Nova/Independent Health and MVP have provider networks that are far-reaching in scope. Most enrollees do not have to change their primary care physicians when they join the plan. To verify if your physician is in the provider network, call customer service:

MVP Health Care: Contact MVP, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. or Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Phone: 1-800-229-5851

Nova/Independent Health: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Phone: 716-631-2661
Which Trustees are assigned as liaison to my district?