The Empire Plan is a unique health insurance plan designed especially for public employees in New York State. Empire Plan benefits include inpatient and outpatient hospital coverage, medical/surgical coverage, Centers of Excellence for transplants, infertility and cancer, home care services, equipment and supplies, mental health and substance abuse coverage and prescription drug coverage.
ANDREW M. CUOMO
GOVERNOR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12239
www.cs.ny.gov
JERRY BOONE
COMMISSIONER
PA13-08
TO: Participating Agency Chief Executive Officers & Health Benefit Administrators
FROM: Robert W. DuBois, Director of the Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Empire Plan Quarterly Experience Report
DATE: June 18, 2013
Enclosed are the First Quarter Empire Plan Experience Report for 2013 and the cover letter to the Chief Executive Officers. This report presents the projected 2013 Empire Plan experience and the projected 2014 premium rates.
June 18, 2013
Dear Chief Executive Officer:
Attached is the Empire Plan First Quarter Experience Report for 2013. This report presents the projected 2013 Empire Plan experience and the projected 2014 premium rates.
For the 2013 Plan Year, the Empire Plan carriers project a net surplus of $93.2 million, 1.39% of premium. Historically, experience projections based on three months of paid claim data have been conservative. We expect the projected surplus to increase as actual claims materialize.
Exhibit II presents the projected 2014 Empire Plan premium rates. These projections include a tentative dividend application amount of $225.6 million; $85.6 million greater than the dividend credit included in the 2013 rates. In addition, the 2014 premium rates include the tentative use of $27.9 million in funds received from the Early Retirement Reinsurance Program (ERRP); the 2013 premium rates did not include any ERRP credits. The increase in the dividend and the ERRP credits result in an increase in the projected premium rates charged to payors that is modestly lower than the increase in the projected premium rates charged by the insurance carriers/vendors.
The “best estimate” projected net premium increase for 2014 is 4.6% in aggregate for The Empire Plan and 4.8% in aggregate for The Excelsior Plan. These projections are based on a number of assumptions made by the carriers and the Department of Civil Service. Historically, the actual increase in the premium has been less than the increase in premium projected in the 1st Quarter Reports; however, these projections include a degree of optimism not previously reflected in prior 1st Quarter Reports.
Given the fiscal challenges that the State and its localities continue to face, our goal is to achieve 2014 NYSHIP rates that are as low as possible while promoting rate stability for the near future. The rate development and carrier negotiations will begin in September.
I hope this report is informative. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Robert W. DuBois, CEBS
Director
Employee Benefits Division
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES
Prepared by the State of New York
Department of Civil Service
EMPIRE PLAN EXPERIENCE REPORT
FIRST QUARTER
Produced for
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES IN THE
NEW YORK STATE
HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
by
The Employee Benefits Division
New York State Department of Civil Service
EXHIBITS
- Projected 2013 Empire Plan Experience as of 3/31/2013
- Projected 2014 PA Premium Rates
- Empire Plan PA 5-Tier Group Rates (2005-2014)
- Empire Plan PA 2-Tier Group Rates (2005-2014)
NEW YORK STATE HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
PARTICIPATING AGENCY GROUP
EMPIRE PLAN EXPERIENCE REPORT
FIRST QUARTER REPORT
PROJECTED 2013 EMPIRE PLAN EXPERIENCE
The Empire Plan carriers project an aggregate surplus of $93.2 million (1.39% of premium) for 2013, as presented in Exhibit I. This projection is based on three months of 2013 paid claim data. The following chart presents the percentage of the projected incurred claims actually paid, as well as the most recent projected 2013 trend as compared to the trend assumed during the 2013 premium rate development:
|
|
% of Paid Claims to Projected |
Projected 2013 Trend | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2012 |
2013 |
@ Final Renewal |
@ 2012 4th Quarter |
|
Blue Cross Hospital |
97.8% |
14.2% |
8.7% |
7.0% |
|
UHC Medical |
98.9% |
16.7% |
9.0% |
7.0% |
|
UHC MHSA |
97.8% |
12.7% |
8.0% |
6.9% |
|
UHC Rx |
99.9% |
23.0% |
4.3% |
4.1% |
For 2013, the carriers agreed to remove the margin from the premium rates. Also, based on the size of the projected 2012 dividend that was being generated and the continued underlying carrier conservatism, the State requested additional premium reductions totaling $142.3 million from the 2013 premium rates. In return for the reductions in the carrier premium requests, retrospective premium agreements totaling $403.7 million were necessary. The projected 2013 surplus by each carrier as compared to the margin level and premium reductions factored in the 2013 premium are as follows:
|
|
Margin |
Premium Adjustments |
Actual 2013 |
Experience Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Blue Cross Hospital |
$0 |
($60.0) |
($5.2) |
$54.8 |
|
UHC Medical |
$0 |
($70.0) |
$101.4 |
$171.4 |
|
UHC MHSA |
$0 |
($2.3) |
$9.2 |
$11.5 |
|
UHC Rx |
$0 |
($10.0) |
($12.2) |
($2.2) |
|
Total |
$0 |
($142.3) |
$93.2 |
$235.5 |
In millions
The overall 2013 experience has improved $235.5 million from the carrier projections made at the time the premium was developed. The primary causes for the substantial improvement in the projected experience is attributable to the decrease in the projected 2012 claim base since the premium was developed and the reduction in the 2013 trend estimates as anticipated by the State and its benefit consultant. In addition, since the 2013 rates were implemented, the medical contract was converted to a self-insured arrangement resulting in an $80 million improvement in the experience due to reduced premium taxes.
2014 PROJECTED PREMIUM RATES
The development of the 2014 premium rates will be more challenging because the Prescription Drug contract and Mental Health and Substance Abuse contract will become self-funded effective 1/1/2014. For these contracts, “premium equivalent rates” will be developed by the Department with assistance from the Department’s benefit consultant and the contractors administering the Plan’s programs. While NYS premium taxes are not assessed on these self-insured contracts, new federal fees/assessments as stipulated under the Affordable Care Act are applicable; however, the impact of the fees/assessments will be reduced due to the conversion of three of the four contracts to self-insurance.
Taking these changes into account, the projected increase in the 2014 net premium as presented in Exhibit II, is 4.6% and 4.8% for the Empire Plan and the Excelsior Plan, respectively. The underlying assumptions/factors contributing to this increase include:
- Improvement in the 2013 claim base since the 2013 premium development.
- 2014 projected trend of 7.0%.
- Removal of NYS taxes and assessments on the Prescription Drug and MHSA contracts.
- New federal fees (Insurer Fee and Reinsurance Fees).
- Improved pricing on the new Prescription Drug contract effective 1/1/14.
- Lag in federal and manufacturer revenues received under the Employer Group Waiver Plan.
While $282.8 million in dividend is anticipated to be available on 12/31/2013, the projected 2014 premium rates include the tentative use of $225.6 million in dividend or $85.6 million more than the dividend credited in the 2013 rates. In addition, the projected 2014 premium rates include the tentative use of $27.9 million in monies received from the Early Retirement Reinsurance Program (ERRP); the 2013 premium rates did not include any ERRP credits. The actual amount of dividend and ERRP monies to be applied in the 2014 premium rates will be determined in October 2013 with the balance of the dividends set aside to fund potential retrospective premium payments for 2014 or to provide stability to future year’s rate increases.
Exhibit III presents The Empire Plan individual and family 5-tier billing rate history since 2005. Exhibit IV presents, for illustrative purposes only, the 2-tier rate history from 2005 to 2014.
2013 PROJECTED EMPIRE PLAN EXPERIENCE
In (000's)
| EMPIRE BLUE CROSS | UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICAL | UHC MHSA | UHC DRUG | TOTAL | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core | NY Enhancement | PA Enhancement | Combined | Core | NY Enhancement | PA Enhancement | Combined | |||||
| A | Premium (1) | 2,402,710 | 2,069,723 | 295,733 | 296,567 | 2,662,023 | 161,307 | 10,062 | 11,803 | 183,172 | 1,476,001 | 6,723,906 |
| B | Incurred Claims (2) | 2,240,920 | 1,853,854 | 264,036 | 265,696 | 2,383,586 | 132,760 | 8,035 | 9,737 | 150,532 | 1,359,516 | 6,134,554 |
| C | Administrative Expense (3) | 167,008 | 147,016 | 14,927 | 14,999 | 176,942 | 20,639 | 1,288 | 1,515 | 23,442 | 128,712 | 496,104 |
| D | Gain/(Loss) (A-B-C) | (5,218) | 68,853 | 16,770 | 15,872 | 101,495 | 7,908 | 739 | 551 | 9,198 | (12,227) | 93,248 |
(1) Earned Premium - Premium which pays for coverage for the period reported (accrual basis).
(2) Incurred Claims - Represents the cost of covered services provided during the period reported by the insurance company (accrual basis).
(3) Administrative Expenses - All charges by the insurance carrier other than for the payment of claims. Includes carrier's cost to administer the program, interest charges, and other retention.
Source: Carriers 2013 1st Quarter Experience Report
2014 Premium Projections
Empire Plan
| Optimistic Projections |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Plan Prime | 779.91 | 806.64 | 3.4% | 767.98 | 777.00 | 1.2% |
| Family Plan Prime | 1,712.76 | 1,772.78 | 3.5% | 1,686.56 | 1,708.33 | 1.3% |
| Individual Medprime | 409.85 | 421.80 | 2.9% | 399.33 | 404.65 | 1.3% |
| Family - 1 Medprime | 1,342.71 | 1,387.95 | 3.4% | 1,317.93 | 1,335.99 | 1.4% |
| Family - 2+ Medprime | 972.66 | 1,003.11 | 3.1% | 949.28 | 963.65 | 1.5% |
| Aggregate | 3.4% | 1.3% |
| Best Estimate Projections |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Plan Prime | 779.91 | 831.58 | 6.6% | 767.98 | 801.94 | 4.4% |
| Family Plan Prime | 1,712.76 | 1,827.61 | 6.7% | 1,686.56 | 1,763.16 | 4.5% |
| Individual Medprime | 409.85 | 434.84 | 6.1% | 399.33 | 417.69 | 4.6% |
| Family - 1 Medprime | 1,342.71 | 1,430.87 | 6.6% | 1,317.93 | 1,378.91 | 4.8% |
| Family - 2+ Medprime | 972.66 | 1,034.13 | 6.3% | 949.28 | 994.67 | 4.8% |
| Aggregate | 6.6% | 4.8% |
| Pessimistic Projections |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Plan Prime | 779.91 | 856.52 | 9.8% | 767.98 | 826.88 | 7.7% |
| Family Plan Prime | 1,712.76 | 1,882.44 | 9.9% | 1,686.56 | 1,817.99 | 7.8% |
| Individual Medprime | 409.85 | 447.90 | 9.3% | 399.33 | 430.75 | 7.9% |
| Family - 1 Medprime | 1,342.71 | 1,473.79 | 9.8% | 1,317.93 | 1,421.83 | 7.9% |
| Family - 2+ Medprime | 972.66 | 1,065.15 | 9.5% | 949.28 | 1,025.69 | 8.0% |
| Aggregate | 9.8% | 7.8% |
(1) Represents premiums charged by the carriers.
(2) Represents cost to a participating agency.
(3) Projected Rates.
2014 Premium Projections
Excelsior Plan
| Optimistic Projections |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Plan Prime | 698.06 | 725.73 | 4.0% | 693.01 | 703.15 | 1.5% |
| Family Plan Prime | 1,544.28 | 1,605.59 | 4.0% | 1,533.21 | 1,555.84 | 1.5% |
| Individual Medprime | 361.40 | 373.89 | 3.5% | 353.83 | 360.29 | 1.8% |
| Family - 1 Medprime | 1,207.62 | 1,253.76 | 3.8% | 1,194.03 | 1,213.00 | 1.6% |
| Family - 2+ Medprime | 870.97 | 901.93 | 3.6% | 854.87 | 870.15 | 1.8% |
| Aggregate | 3.8% | 1.6% |
| Best Estimate Projections |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Plan Prime | 698.06 | 748.16 | 7.2% | 693.01 | 725.58 | 4.7% |
| Family Plan Prime | 1,544.28 | 1,655.23 | 7.2% | 1,533.21 | 1,605.48 | 4.7% |
| Individual Medprime | 361.40 | 385.45 | 6.7% | 353.83 | 371.85 | 5.1% |
| Family - 1 Medprime | 1,207.62 | 1,292.52 | 7.0% | 1,194.03 | 1,251.76 | 4.8% |
| Family - 2+ Medprime | 870.97 | 929.81 | 6.8% | 854.87 | 898.03 | 5.0% |
| Aggregate | 7.0% | 4.8% |
| Pessimistic Projections |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
Monthly Net Premium Rates (2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual Plan Prime | 698.06 | 770.60 | 10.4% | 693.01 | 748.02 | 7.9% |
| Family Plan Prime | 1,544.28 | 1,704.88 | 10.4% | 1,533.21 | 1,655.13 | 8.0% |
| Individual Medprime | 361.40 | 397.01 | 9.9% | 353.83 | 383.41 | 8.4% |
| Family - 1 Medprime | 1,207.62 | 1,331.29 | 10.2% | 1,194.03 | 1,290.53 | 8.1% |
| Family - 2+ Medprime | 870.97 | 957.69 | 10.0% | 854.87 | 925.91 | 8.3% |
| Aggregate | 10.2% | 8.0% |
(1) Represents premiums charged by the carriers.
(2) Represents cost to a participating agency.
(3) Projected Rates.
EMPIRE PLAN
PA 5 TIER GROUP RATES
2005 - 2014 Monthly Rates
Individual Planprime
| Year | Gross Rate (1) | % Change | Net Rate (2) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 490.41 | 9.5% | 478.49 | 9.2% |
| 2006 | 547.86 | 11.7% | 529.76 | 10.7% |
| 2007 | 600.69 | 9.6% | 564.84 | 6.6% |
| 2008 | 633.79 | 5.5% | 592.38 | 4.9% |
| 2009 | 630.73 | -0.5% | 598.58 | 1.0% |
| 2010 | 660.24 | 4.7% | 612.34 | 2.3% |
| 2011 | 734.00 | 11.2% | 693.92 | 13.3% |
| 2012 | 751.55 | 2.4% | 712.75 | 2.7% |
| 2013 | 816.09 | 3.8% | 767.98 | 7.7% |
| 2014 projected | 831.58 | 6.6% | 801.94 | 4.4% |
Average Percent Increase
| % Change | % Change | |
|---|---|---|
| From Inception of 5 Tier Structure (1996) | 7.5% | 7.8% |
| Most Recent 10 Years | 6.4% | 6.3% |
| Most Recent 5 Years | 5.7% | 6.1% |
Family Planprime
| Year | Gross Rate (1) | % Change | Net Rate (2) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,038.64 | 9.9% | 1,013.68 | 9.6% |
| 2006 | 1,164.16 | 12.1% | 1,126.19 | 11.1% |
| 2007 | 1,273.96 | 9.4% | 1,198.07 | 6.4% |
| 2008 | 1,346.27 | 5.7% | 1,258.78 | 5.1% |
| 2009 | 1,350.26 | 0.3% | 1,282.17 | 1.9% |
| 2010 | 1,431.43 | 6.0% | 1,330.93 | 3.8% |
| 2011 | 1,598.49 | 11.7% | 1,513.92 | 13.7% |
| 2012 | 1,645.31 | 2.9% | 1,562.80 | 3.2% |
| 2013 | 1,712.76 | 4.1% | 1,686.56 | 7.9% |
| 2014 projected | 1,827.61 | 6.7% | 1,763.16 | 4.5% |
Average Percent Increase
| % Change | % Change | |
|---|---|---|
| From Inception of 5 Tier Structure (1996) | 7.3% | 7.6% |
| Most Recent 10 Years | 6.9% | 6.7% |
| Most Recent 5 Years | 6.3% | 6.6% |
Individual Medprime
| Year | Gross Rate (1) | % Change | Net Rate (2) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 340.50 | -0.4% | 331.93 | -0.7% |
| 2006 | 359.35 | 5.5% | 338.88 | 2.1% |
| 2007 | 363.02 | 1.0% | 333.18 | -1.7% |
| 2008 | 397.23 | 9.4% | 360.41 | 8.2% |
| 2009 | 384.38 | -3.2% | 359.22 | -0.3% |
| 2010 | 400.76 | 4.3% | 367.37 | 2.3% |
| 2011 | 446.90 | 11.5% | 405.64 | 10.4% |
| 2012 | 447.66 | 0.2% | 419.24 | 3.4% |
| 2013 | 409.85 | -8.4% | 399.33 | -4.7% |
| 2014 projected | 434.84 | 6.1% | 417.69 | 4.6% |
Average Percent Increase
| % Change | % Change | |
|---|---|---|
| From Inception of 5 Tier Structure (1996) | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Most Recent 10 Years | 2.6% | 2.3% |
| Most Recent 5 Years | 2.7% | 3.2% |
Family - 1 Medprime
| Year | Gross Rate (1) | % Change | Net Rate (2) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 888.71 | 5.9% | 867.09 | 5.6% |
| 2006 | 975.66 | 9.8% | 935.32 | 7.9% |
| 2007 | 1,036.30 | 6.2% | 966.44 | 3.3% |
| 2008 | 1,109.74 | 7.1% | 1,026.86 | 6.3% |
| 2009 | 1,103.90 | -0.5% | 1,042.81 | 1.6% |
| 2010 | 1,171.95 | 6.2% | 1,085.94 | 4.1% |
| 2011 | 1,311.39 | 11.9% | 1,225.62 | 12.9% |
| 2012 | 1,341.42 | 2.3% | 1,269.28 | 3.6% |
| 2013 | 1,342.71 | 0.1% | 1,317.93 | 3.8% |
| 2014 projected | 1,430.87 | 6.6% | 1,378.91 | 4.6% |
Average Percent Increase
| % Change | % Change | |
|---|---|---|
| From Inception of 5 Tier Structure (1996) | 6.0% | 6.4% |
| Most Recent 10 Years | 5.5% | 5.4% |
| Most Recent 5 Years | 5.4% | 5.8% |
Family - 2 or More Medprime
| Year | Gross Rate (1) | % Change | Net Rate (2) | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 738.79 | 0.8% | 720.53 | 0.5% |
| 2006 | 787.16 | 6.5% | 744.45 | 3.3% |
| 2007 | 798.65 | 1.5% | 734.81 | -1.3% |
| 2008 | 873.21 | 9.3% | 7.7% | |
| Most Recent 10 Years | 6.0% | 5.8% | ||
| Most Recent 5 Years | 5.5% | 5.8% |
(1) Represents premiums charged by the carriers.
(2) Represents cost to a participating agency.
First Quarter Report - 2013
Federal Health Care Reform
Guidance on Marketplace Notice Requirements: The Employee Benefits Division is currently working on a guidance memo to assist Participating Agencies and Participating Employers on Marketplace Notice requirements. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires all employers to provide employees a Marketplace Notice detailing the existence of the healthcare coverage Marketplace (referred to as “Exchanges” in the law), its function, and the potential advantages it holds for employees. This notice must be provided to new hires and current employees starting October 1, 2013. The memo aims to detail and clarify specific requirements for the notice, thus ensuring all Participating Agencies and Participating Employers are acting within the requisites of the law.
Employer Shared Responsibility Requirements: The shared responsibility requirement is a crucial provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The provision outlines the two conditions, starting January 1, 2014, under which a “large employer” may be penalized with the “shared responsibility” fine if any full-time employee enrolls in coverage through the Marketplace and receives a premium tax credit to offset the cost of that coverage. The two conditions specified are employers that do not offer minimum essential coverage to its employees and employers that do offer minimum essential coverage. The Employee Benefits Division will issue a memo to provide Participating Agencies and Participating Employers with information on this provision.
Employee Benefits Division staff continues to review and monitor updates and clarifications related to Federal Healthcare Reform and its numerous provisions which NYSHIP will be required to implement in the future. We will continue to provide information as it becomes available.
Empire Plan Medicare Rx Update
Effective January 1, 2013, nearly 240,000 Medicare primary enrollees and dependents were successfully enrolled in Empire Plan Medicare Rx, a Medicare Part D prescription drug program. However a small percentage of that population was unable to be enrolled due to either incorrect or incomplete information in their NYSHIP enrollment record or enrollment in another Medicare Part D plan. As explained to enrollees in Empire Plan Medicare Rx plan materials over the past several months, enrollment in Empire Plan Medicare Rx is required to maintain Empire Plan coverage. The Department has moved forward with the cancellations that apply to Empire Plan Medicare-primary enrollees and dependents who are not enrolled in Empire Plan Medicare Rx. Prior to processing any cancellations the Employee Benefits Division will mail letters to notify each recipient of the upcoming cancellation of his/her NYSHIP Empire Plan coverage and give instructions regarding steps to take to avoid cancellation. Cancellations that have been processed will appear on the transaction listings provided to agency Health Benefit Administrators.
Procurement Updates/Self-Funding
CVS/Caremark was awarded a five year contract for the Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program with an effective date of January 1, 2014. Under the new contract the program will be administered on a self-funded basis. Empire Plan Medicare Rx will be administered by SilverScript, a CVS/Caremark company. Due to Medicare requirements, enrollee communications regarding the transition to SilverScript will begin in late summer/early fall of 2013.
An RFP was released on February 15, 2013, for The Empire Plan Mental Health and Substance Abuse Program to procure a five year contract to be administered on a self-funded basis effective January 1, 2014.
East End Health Alliance Update
Empire BlueCross BlueShield (EBCBS), the insurer for the hospital component of the Empire Plan, has reached contract agreement with the East End Health Alliance (EEHA). Since the new contract is retroactive to April 1, 2013, the facilities in the EEHA group remained in the EBCBS network. EEHA is comprised of three hospitals on the eastern end of Long Island (Suffolk County): Southampton Hospital, Peconic Bay Medical Center and Eastern Long Island Hospital.
UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Options PPO
Effective June 1, 2013, medical providers in the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Options PPO network in the states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia will be Empire Plan participating providers. Letters will be sent to active enrollees and retirees who live in these states and the District of Columbia to inform them of the network expansion. The total number of providers that will be added to the network is approximately 34,000. Enrollees may search for participating providers in these states online via the Department web site at: https://www.cs.ny.gov/ebd, starting June 1, 2013, or, they can call The Empire Plan toll-free at: 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) and choose the Medical Program. A printed directory will be available later this year and a reference copy will be mailed to HBAs. Additional copies will be available to order on HBA Online.
2013 Participating Agency Regional Meeting Schedule
Please save the date for this year’s NYSHIP PA Regional Meetings. Registration information and the agenda will be sent in late summer.
October 2, 2013
Holiday Inn Saratoga Springs Hotel
232 Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
October 22, 2013
Crowne Plaza Hotel Suffern
3 Executive Boulevard
Suffern, NY 10901
October 23, 2013
Hyatt Regency Long Island
1717 Motor Parkway
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Agency Experience Reports
Agency-specific Empire Plan and Excelsior Plan financial experience reports are available from the Employee Benefits Division upon request. These reports are calendar year based and provide aggregate data broken down by Plan component - hospital, medical/surgical, mental health/substance abuse and prescription drug. To obtain a financial experience report, PAs may submit an official written request on agency letterhead indicating the calendar years for which reports are desired. The request may be directed to the Employee Benefits Division - Director’s Office.
GASB 45 Assumptions Report and Census Data
The 2012 Buck Consultants report Development of Recommended Actuarial Assumptions for New York State/SUNY GASB Valuation - Participating Agency Version is now available online at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/GASB/2012PAReport.pdf.
NYSHIP will provide agency census reports upon request, for use in complying with the provisions of GASB 45. Since the data included in this report will be current at the time it is provided, it is important that an agency’s NYBEAS file is up-to-date, including correctly identifying and coding retirees before requesting census data.
To request a copy of your agency’s census information, please send an e-mail to: MaryEllen.Brucculeri@cs.state.ny.us and include your name, agency name and agency code number, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. For additional information about GASB 45, please refer to Memos PA06-11 and PA06-18.
Availability of Reports Electronically
The Empire Plan Experience Reports are available through the following direct link to our website: http://www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits/pa-market/financial-reports.cfm.
CEO, CFO, HBA Name and Address Changes
Agencies must notify the Employee Benefits Division of any changes in the names and/or addresses (including e-mail addresses) of agency CEOs, CFOs and/or HBAs to ensure that our mailing and contact lists are up-to-date. Any updates should be e-mailed to Deborah.D’Orazio@cs.state.ny.us.