HR News

Important Information About Syracuse University’s Health Plan Coverage of Services Provided by FamilyCare Medical Group and St. Joseph’s Health

The University is aware that both FamilyCare Medical Group (FCMG) and St. Joseph’s Health have separately notified their patients, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (Excellus BCBS) and the community that they intend to leave Excellus BCBS’s network effective Jan. 1, 2025, if agreements are not reached. 

While the University is not privy to the contract terms and negotiations between Excellus BCBS and providers, nor can it control a provider’s decision to participate in any network, it has expressed concerns to Excellus BCBS, and is hopeful all parties are able to reach mutually agreed upon contracts.

It is important to note that Syracuse University self-insures its health plans to the benefit of its employees. As a self-insured health plan, the University pays for all medical claims costs and fees, effectively acting as its own insurer. Faculty and staff share in the cost of the health plan in the form of deductibles, copays, coinsurance and paycheck contributions.

As health care costs continue to outpace the general rate of inflation, controlling costs through favorable and appropriate provider contract agreements helps keep University and member costs down and has never been more important. 

The University remains optimistic that agreements will be reached soon and will continue to encourage a positive resolution for all. Included below is important information for those who are enrolled in the University’s health plan and receive services from either FCMG or St. Joseph’s Health:  

  • Through Dec. 31, 2024, FCMG and St. Joseph’s Health remain in the Excellus BCBS network and any eligible claims will continue to be covered as in-network, with the applicable deductible, copay or coinsurance applied. If you receive a bill from FCMG or St. Joseph’s Health for a service in 2024, please review it carefully and make sure that it has been submitted to Excellus BCBS first. If your bill does not show Excellus BCBS paying any portion of the bill, please contact the University’s dedicated Excellus BCBS customer care team at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220).
  • Effective Jan. 1, 2025, if either FCMG or St. Joseph’s Health are no longer in Excellus BCBS’s network, they will be considered an out-of-network provider. If you are enrolled in the SUBlue or SUPro health plans, eligible services provided by either provider will be processed as an out-of-network claim, but you will generally be responsible for higher out-of-pocket costs and you may need to submit your claim to Excellus BCBS for processing. If you are enrolled in the SUOrange health plan, which has no out-of-network coverage, services will not be covered by the plan, and you will pay the full cost of the visit. You can find more information about the plans’ in-network and out-of-network cost sharing on the health plan webpage.

Should an agreement not be reached, Excellus BCBS is committed to helping employees with health coverage through the University to identify alternative in-network providers that are accepting new patients. 

  • MDLIVE is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on holidays, to provide in-network care for non-emergency medical or behavioral health conditions. Board-certified doctors and licensed therapists treat a wide range of conditions and generally can prescribe medications. For more information, please visit the MDLIVE webpage.
  • Members can access the Excellus BCBS 24/7 Nurse Line at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220). Specially trained registered nurses from Excellus BCBS can provide support and education for members with chronic or complex health conditions, or provide answers to more general health questions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • If you would like to learn more about in-network providers, call the University’s dedicated customer care team at Excellus BCBS by calling 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220). Members can also visit their website to locate care options.

Should you have any questions, please reach out to the HR Shared Services team at 315.443.4042.

Academic Year Office Hours Resume Aug. 26

Syracuse University academic year office hours will resume Monday, Aug. 26. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Offices have been operating on summer hours since May 13.

If you have any questions, please contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042 or hrservice@syr.edu.

Crucial Conversations/Crucial Influence Programs to Be Offered This Summer

Crucial Conversations, a popular professional development workshop series for faculty and staff, will be offered in person beginning later this month. Crucial Influence, an offering for leaders, supervisors and managers from the creators of Crucial Conversations, is also being held again this summer.

2024 Summer Office Hours

Summer office hours for Syracuse University will begin on Monday, May 13, and will be in effect through Friday, Aug. 23. Summer office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Academic-year hours will resume on Monday, Aug. 26.

If you have any questions, please contact Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

Faculty, Staff Invited to Participate in This Year’s ‘On My Own Time’ Celebration

The University is pleased to announce its participation in “On My Own Time”—a celebration of local visual arts that highlights the often-unsung artists who create art on their own time.

This year is the 51st anniversary of this program, organized by CNY Arts, and faculty and staff are invited to showcase their talents along with other employers and businesses in the region.

Deadline for 2023 Flexible Spending Account Reimbursement is April 30

For faculty and staff who had a flexible spending account (FSA) through Syracuse University in 2023, the deadline to submit eligible expenses from the previous calendar year (Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2023) for reimbursement is Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Additionally, up to $610 in unused funds from 2023 may be rolled over to a health care FSA for use in 2024. No funds may be carried over to the following calendar year for the dependent care account.

New public health guidance for COVID-19

New Guidance

  • Continue to stay home if sick: If you test positive for COVID-19, you are encouraged to stay home if you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, cough and other known respiratory virus symptoms.
  • No longer mandated to isolate: Those with COVID-19 are no longer required to isolate for five days. Instead, according to the NYSDOH, “individuals can go back to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both of the following are true:
    • symptoms are getting better overall, and
    • they no longer have a fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.”
  • No longer required to report a positive test: Students and faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer required to report that positive test to the Barnes Center and Human Resources, respectively.

How to keep yourself and those around you healthy!

Although isolation and vaccination are no longer required, COVID-19 continues to be present and causes varying degrees of illness. There are several ways you can keep yourself and those around you healthy, including:

  • Get vaccinated: We encourage our community to consider vaccinations against common communicable illnesses, including COVID-19. Students, faculty and staff can search locations offering COVID-19 vaccinations using the Vaccine Finder website. The COVID-19 vaccine is available in the pharmacy at the Barnes Center. Please use the patient portal to make an appointment.
  • Monitor for COVID-like symptoms: If you’re a student, contact the Barnes Center at 315.443.8000 if you are concerned about your symptoms. Barnes Center staff will direct you on what actions to take next. Faculty and staff should contact their primary care provider.
  • Stay home: If you’re experiencing COVID-like symptoms, including a fever, stay home.
  • Wear a mask: If you are feeling under the weather, consider wearing a mask to limit the spread of your symptoms. Anyone who wishes to wear a mask is welcome to do so and should be supported.
  • Exercise good hygiene habits: Cover your cough and sneezes. Wash your hands often. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently, especially your residence hall rooms.

The University appreciates your continued cooperation and commitment to a safe and healthy environment for all members of our community. To learn more about public health guidance, please visit the CDC website.

Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night at Men’s Lacrosse Feb. 5

Human Resources and Syracuse Athletics are pleased to offer a ticket discount for Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night at the Orange men’s lacrosse game on Monday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy an evening out with your colleagues, friends and/or family while supporting the Orange and being celebrated for all you do for the University!