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.
GOVERNOR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12239
www.cs.ny.gov
COMMISSIONER
PA10-11
PAEX10-08
TO: Participating Agency Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Legislation Regarding Health Benefits for Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Workers
DATE: May 26, 2010
Chapter 71 of the Laws of 2010 allows volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers to participate in NYSHIP and takes effect immediately. This Chapter amended both the Civil Service Law and the General Municipal Law to permit these volunteers to enroll in NYSHIP through public corporations. Public corporations are defined by the General Municipal Law as municipal corporations, district corporations, school districts, consolidated health districts, and a county or town special district or joint special district. (General Municipal Law § 92-a (1))
Please note the following provisions of this legislation:
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Participating Agencies are not required to offer NYSHIP coverage to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, but rather are permitted to offer such coverage;
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Volunteers must enroll through a Participating Agency;
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Volunteers who wish to enroll must pay the full premium.
The Employee Benefits Division is developing guidelines for administering this new provision and will distribute this information as soon as possible.