The city has extended the period for municipal employees to switch health-care plans until the end of November. Originally, the "reopener" was to be from Oct. 15 to Nov. 15. The deadline was extended because printed materials and CDs weren't available until the end of October. The transfer for active employees will be effective on the first payroll period in January 2005.

Retirees who want to enroll in a new plan need to make their choice between Nov. 1 and Nov. 30 as well. For retirees, the switch will occur January 1.

Each year, municipal employees are permitted to switch plans during the fall health-care "reopener," while retirees are only eligible during even-numbered years, unless they exercise a one-time lifetime exception.

Summaries of the health-care plans are available in the Office of Labor Relations section at www.nyc.gov. Agency personnel offices will have "Summary Plan Description" CDs. OLR will send retirees copies of the summary plan booklet. A limited number of copies are available for employees.