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
PA14-03
PAEX14-03
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, January 2014
DATE: February 4, 2014
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.
The January 2014 version includes information about Medicare enrollment, Part B reimbursement, Medicare and NYSHIP claims coordination and Empire Plan Medicare Rx. Note: The Excelsior Plan does not include a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Medicare & NYSHIP for PA Retirees replaces the April 2013 version. Please recycle any copies you may have of the April 2013 version.
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. Note: Although this video has been unavailable for some time, it will be back in inventory shortly.
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. From the NYSHIP Online homepage, click on Using Your Benefits and then Publications.
Ordering Publications
You can order additional copies of this publication [PA0193 Medicare & NYSHIP for PA Retirees/January 2014] 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-HBAEMS1. Call the HBA Help Line at 518-474-2780 with questions about NYSHIP benefits. Please wait until you receive your shipment before placing an order for more.
If you are unsure of how to order publications or have questions about this distribution, please call the Communications Unit at 518-457-7577.