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
NY96-19
PE96-09
PA96-04
TO: NY, PA, PE Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Medicare Crossover
DATE: April 24, 1996
Over the next several months the Employee Benefits Division and MetraHealth will phase in Medicare Crossover for all Empire Plan retirees who are Medicare-primary. The pilot program for Medicare-primary Empire Plan enrollees in Florida has been working very smoothly. Many claims are already being processed through the system, and enrollees are pleased with the convenience. In April a Medicare Crossover mailing will go out to Medicare-primary retirees in Western New York State. Then, at approximately three-week intervals, Met will mail information to retirees in each of six other broad geographic areas, until all Empire Plan Medicare-primary enrollees have been contacted.
Please refer to your HBA Memorandum NY95-39, PE95-25, PA 95-11 of November 3, 1995. That memo briefly explained Medicare Crossover and enclosed a copy of the materials prepared by MetraHealth for the mailings to retirees. Attached is a copy of the insert Met is including in the Medicare Crossover mailing.
Please reassure enrollees with questions about the program that Medicare Crossover will in no way change the benefits available to retirees under the NYSHIP Also, please ask employees who retire and become Medicare-eligible after this initial notification to fill out the Medicare Crossover Enrollment form and send it to Met. A copy is attached for your convenience; please copy it as needed.
Medicare Crossover is provided with:
No Cost To You
No Change In Your Empire Plan Benefits
And:
Your covered spouse may also participate in Medicare Crossover if he/she is eligible for Medicare Part B and does not have medical coverage from another source in addition to the Empire Plan.
Please read the brochure for more information.
Important Update
Automatic filing of your claims through Medicare Crossover is now available in all areas of the United States. (This updates the list of regions in the brochure.)