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
DANIEL E. WALL
EXECUTIVE
DEPUTY COMISSIONER
PA95-09
TO: Participating Agency Health Benefit Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program ValueRx PPO/Select Pharmacy Network
DATE: August 15, 1995
Starting September 1, 1995, Participating Agency enrollees in the Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program will be covered by the ValueRx PPO/Select Pharmacy Network. The ValueRx PPO/Select Network will provide enrollees access to a large pharmacy network and save program costs.
Most pharmacies in New York State and many pharmacies outside New York State participate in the ValueRx PPO/Select Network. To find a network pharmacy, enrollees can ask their pharmacist if they participate in the ValueRx PPO/Select Network, or they can call ValueRx at 1-800-964-1888.
Most of the pharmacy network remains the same under the PPO/Select Pharmacy Network. However, enrollees who are now taking a prescription drug may want to plan ahead, so their treatment will not be interrupted on September 1, 1995.
Enrollees should ask if the pharmacy participates in the Empire Plan ValueRx PPO/Select Pharmacy Network. If it does, they can continue to use their New York Government Employee Benefit Card there. If not, they can pay cash and submit a claim for reimbursement, or they may ask their doctor for a new prescription to fill at a ValueRx PPO/Select Pharmacy Network pharmacy.
Please note that there are no changes in the drugs covered by the program or the copayment at this time.