NY S00553

Establishes an elderly dental insurance coverage program within the state employee dental plan to provide comprehensive and routine dental care services to eligible senior residents in Dutchess, Kings, Saratoga, Schenectady, Ulster, Warren, and Washington counties.

Eligibility limited to residents age 65 and older with unmarried income not exceeding $22,000 or married combined income not exceeding $25,000 (effective January 1, 2020), with eligibility redetermined every 24 months.

Director of civil service shall establish a sliding scale premium structure where higher income eligible persons pay higher premiums and program costs based on negotiated rates with the state employee dental plan.

Requires regulations for eligibility determination, fair hearing procedures for appeals, recovery of benefits obtained through fraudulent applications, and confidentiality protections for applicant information.

Appropriates $20,000,000 to the Department of Civil Service from the state general fund to implement the program, effective 180 days after the bill becomes law.