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
PA13-06
TO: Health Benefits Administrators of Participating Agencies with The Empire Plan or The Excelsior Plan
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Medicare & NYSHIP for PA Retirees, April 2013
DATE: April 24, 2013
We are pleased to announce that a new version of Medicare & NYSHIP for PA Retirees is at the printer and will be shipped to agencies shortly.
Medicare & NYSHIP for PA Retirees replaces the January 2012 version. Please remove copies of the old publication from your shelves and recycle them when you receive your shipment. The April 2013 version includes information about Medicare enrollment, Part B reimbursement, Medicare and NYSHIP claims coordination and Empire Plan Medicare Rx, a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan with expanded coverage designed especially for NYSHIP. Note: The Excelsior Plan does not include a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Distribution
This publication is mailed to retirees as part of our 65th birthday mailing that reminds them to enroll in Medicare when they turn 65. It can be a part of your new retiree packages. If you place an order online for the New Retiree Quick Order package, the booklet is included and will be mailed to the enrollee's home. The Medicare & NYSHIP DVD is also a good companion piece to give along with the book.
We will send you a supply of two copies of this booklet to distribute to your enrollees.
Publications Available on Our Web Site: https://www.cs.ny.gov
Please check the web site for new publications. We generally post publications when we sign off for printing. This publication is available on HBA Online under Publications & Forms and on NYSHIP Online. Click on Using Your Benefits and then Publications.
Ordering Publications
You can order additional copies of this publication [PA0187 Medicare & NYSHIP for PA Retirees/April 2013] by ordering on HBA Online under Publications & Forms. If you need help accessing HBA Online, please call the GGC Service Desk at Civil Service at 1-800-422-3671 or 518-457-5406. Call the EBD Help Line at 518-474-2780 with questions about NYSHIP benefits. Please wait until you receive your shipment before placing an order for more.