Please take your time to read this information carefully.

Please review all of the resources that are available to you (PowerPoint presentations that were given by Highmark by union, calling the designated BBOE representatives at Highmark, and reviewing your plan comparison charts on the open enrollment webpages).

Open enrollment ends on November 30th, please do not rush through the enrollment paperwork - take your time completing it BUT be mindful you only have until November 30th, there cannot be changes made after November 30th.

There are also note the below:

• You can enroll in Tax- Shelter Annuities - Information on 403b and 457 accounts. These accounts are separate from your pension with the NYS retirement system.

• Please be sure your contact information is updated - W2s will be going out next by the payroll department, if you do not update your address with HR by 12/1/2025 - we cannot guarantee it will be completed on time for W2 processing. Please understand that with over 7,000 employees, it takes time to manually update this information. Update Contact

• Please complete the emergency contact form so that HR has an emergency contact on file for you in the case we ever need to reach a family or friend for you. Emergency Contact

Scroll down to find Open Enrollment information organized by Union

In an effort to ensure everyone has the opportunity and resources to change their health insurance plan, update your life insurance beneficiary, and enroll in Flexible Spending Accounts - all Open Enrollment applications have been converted to an electronic format, so the entire process can be completed online. 

Deadline for Open Enrollment: 11:59pm EST on November 30, 2025

To review Eligibility for health insurance with the district please click Eligibility

There will be NO EXCEPTIONS.  Applications received after this date will be returned and not processed.

• BCSA (Buffalo Council of Supervisors and Administrators)

• BEST (Buffalo Educational Support Team)

• BTF (Buffalo Teachers Federation)

• BTF Part-time

• Exempt

• Local 409

• Local 264 Cook Managers

• Local 264 Service Center

• PCTEA (Professional, Clerical, Technical Employees Association)

Health Insurance Plans - The Buffalo Public Schools offers up to four (4) different medical plan options, depending on which plans are negotiated for your union.  Add, change or cancel health insurance and enroll in the District's waiver program, if eligible.

Identification Cards - Highmark will mail new identification cards to employees who enroll or make changes in the health plan.  Cards will be mailed in mid-December.  

Dependent Eligibility - Documentation is required for a newly added spouse or dependent child to your plan.  BPS Eligibility . If you already have a spouse/dependent on your plan, this does not apply.   

Waiver Program - If you are eligible for health insurance from another source, you may be interested in enrolling in the Waiver program. Participants receive an annual payment in exchange for enrollment in the District health insurance program.  Go to the link above that is associated with your union below to complete and submit the form.

Questions or requests to schedule phone calls can be sent via Email: Benefits

The Buffalo Public Schools is excited to announce that we are partnering with Child and Family Services (C+FS) to provide our Employee Assistance Program services.

C+FS Employee Assistance Program

C+FS has a 40+ year history of making proactive, comprehensive, personal, and cost-effective assistance programming available to the Western New York community. They help provide support with the understanding that individual and family wellness leads to positive impacts on workplace productivity and contributes to overall community health and resilience. 

Child and Family Services Employee Assistance Program supports communities and families by providing high quality, easily accessible services to its members, through resilience building interventions and connection with community resources.

Guiding Principles of C+FS

The Child and Family Services grounds all policy, procedures and decision making through a Trauma Informed Care (TIC) lens for all members (organizations, individual and household members). We understand that trauma plays a role, in our households, communities, and organizations. We strive to recognize the centrality of trauma, avoid re-traumatization, and ensure that all activities are directed by the five guiding principles of TIC, as follows:

1. We will work to ensure both the physical, emotional and psychological safety of our members and staff. 

2. We will ensure trustworthiness through clear, consistent, culturally sensitive service delivery. 

3. We will maximize choice through all aspects of service delivery. 

4. We will deliver services based on collaboration and best available knowledge and practices. 

5. We will empower EAP members to have voice in the development and delivery of service. 

Child and Family Services EAP offers a range of highly rated organizational, and employee supports including:

• EAP counseling/coaching

• Work-life resources

• Presentations/trainings

• Organizational consultations

• 24-hour support counseling

• Critical Incident Response (CIR).

Here is a link to their Orientation video on EAP - C+FS Orientation Video

Please click to view the EAP webpage that has information about the EAP services offered and resources available - C+FS EAP

Contact: 716-681-4300 or contacteap@cfsbny.org

Well360 Virtual Health program will be available to members starting January 1, 2024.

This new program will replace Highmark's existing Doctor on Demand® virtual health program. In addition to urgent care and behavioral health, members will now have access to virtual primary care, women’s health, and dermatology. Highmark believes it’s ideal for members who prefer the convenience of at-home care as well as personalized support to help you better manage your health. 

 Highmark is excited to offer this new program, and they hope it leads to better health outcomes for members.

Well360 Clarity

Members get:

• Support & guidance for selecting high-quality, cost-efficient specialists

• Guidance on appropriate, lower-cost sites of care

• Dedicated support to help better manage a health condition

• Access to the Well360 Clarity team to help support them through every step of their health care journeys

Well360 Core

Members get:

• Options for virtual and enhanced care management programs for conditions including behavioral health issues, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and joint and muscle pain.

• Tools that give members convenient access to care, such as coaching options via telephone, text, and video.

The Well360 Enhancements include

Well360 Lifestyle

Well360 Lifestyle adds a powerful, personalized support system to your existing wellness program, helping members establish healthy, everyday habits that reduce their risk of getting sick — and missing work.

• Personalized, motivational wellness coaching that fits their lives, via text or telephone

• A range of convenient engagement options — phone, text, app, and online

• One-on-one, proactive outreach for Diabetes Prevention program

• Smoking cessation program available via phone or app

• Well360 Rewards program 

Well360 Concierge

Whether they need someone to just explain insurance terms to them, or they need more intensive navigation through the ins and outs of their coverage, an extra level of one-on-one support can go a long way in making sure members are getting the most out of their health plan. Well360 Concierge helps members:

• Know when and why to go to the ER, urgent care, or their PCP.

• Learn about and engage with all the health and wellness resources available to them through your group plan.

• Get the right preventive care for their age and other risk factors.

• Schedule appointments and find lower-cost, high-performing.

Well360 Connect & Well360 Focus

Members get:

• Virtual and enhanced care management programs focused on addressing chronic and emerging health conditions. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, CHF and COPD, mental health, and joint and muscle pain.

• Access to impactful engagement tools — including telephonic, text, and video coaching options — so they can choose when, where, and how they want to be reached.

• Digitally connected devices including: Wireless scales, Blood glucose monitors, And more*

• A Wellness Rewards Program to help them reach their health goals

The attached FAQ includes more details about Well360 Virtual Health and how members can access their virtual care benefits:

All about Well 360 Virtual health FAQ

Click here: Well360 Virtual Health to open an account