2026 Benefits Enrollment: Full-Time Downstate PAs NOT Enrolled in a PPL Health Plan
This page applies to you if you are a full-time personal assistant serving a consumer in one of the downstate counties (Bronx, New York, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, or Westchester) and you are NOT currently enrolled in a PPL health plan (SecureHealth or SecureHealth Plus).
What this means for you
- Minimum Essential Coverage (MEC) and FLEX end on April 30, 2026. If you currently have MEC and/or FLEX, that coverage ends on this date.
- Your FLEX dollars remain yours until you spend them. The FLEX card has a $1/month administration fee until the balance reaches $0.
Your choices during the special enrollment window
Between April 15 and May 15, 2026, you may choose to:
- Enroll in a PPL health plan (SecureHealth or SecureHealth Plus) with coverage starting May 1.
- OR, if you don’t enroll in a medical plan, wage parity dollars formerly applied to support MEC/FLEX benefits will be automatically directed to a 401(a) retirement account.
- PPL contributes to this account each pay period based on regular hours worked and contributions are fully vested, meaning they are yours to keep from day one.
- You may also choose optional insurance through Chubb, including: Accident, Critical Illness, and Voluntary Life Insurance. A NYC Transit Plan is also available.
- These optional plans are employee-paid via payroll deduction, not wage parity dollars.
Who helps with enrollment and questions
PPL is working with GSA National to support benefits questions before, during, and after Open Enrollment. You can contact GSA National starting April 15, or schedule a call with them here.
You may see GSA National referenced when reviewing your options or completing enrollment.
If you prefer, you can also contact the PPL HR Hotline for help: 1-833-746-8283.
What to do next
- Starting April 15: Review plan details and instructions.
- Decide whether you will enroll in SecureHealth/SecureHealth Plus or not enroll. Remember, if you do not enroll, wage parity dollars formerly applied to support MEC/FLEX benefits will be directed to a 401(a) retirement account.
- If interested, explore Chubb optional insurance (accident, critical illness, life) and the NYC Transit Plan.
- Make your elections by May 15 at https://boonchapman.benselect.com/pplenroll.
Helpful reminders
- This is a special, limited window (April 15 – May 15). After this, changes to your benefits generally require a qualifying life event, such as welcoming a child or getting married.
- More details about FLEX balances and how to use them will be available in May. There is a $1/month fee until your balance reaches $0.