If an employee serves in the National Guard and is deployed to New York City, how does that affect his/her health benefits?
A. Under New York State Military Law, National Guard members are eligible for paid leave while performing ordered military duty for 30 calendar days or 22 workdays (whichever provides the greater benefit to the employee in any calendar year). During this period, New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) benefits continue and the employee remains responsible for the employee share of the premium. In addition, PEF and GOER have reached an agreement to provide salary and health benefit protections to State employees who have been activated by the Governor to assist with the World Trade Center tragedy. National Guard members or reservists who are activated by the Governor or the federal government in response to the September 11, 2001 attack will be entitled to the following salary and benefit protections through September 10, 2002: Supplemental Military Leave Following exhaustion of the leave provided under NYS Military Law section 242, employees activated in connection with the at
