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
SEHP11-10
TO: Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) Agency Health Benefits Administrators Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Creditable Coverage Letter and CHIP Notice
DATE: October 14, 2011
Creditable Coverage Letter to all NYSHIP enrollees
In mid October, the Employee Benefits Division (EBD) began mailing a Creditable Coverage Letter to all Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) enrollees. This letter (attached) fulfills the annual creditable coverage notice requirement for 2011. SEHP enrollees are receiving this notice for the first time.
While it may not pertain to an enrollee at this time, if the enrollee or a dependent should become
eligible for Medicare Part D, they will have the proof of coverage information they need. We are directing enrollees to call Social Security, Medicare and The Empire Plan toll free number with their questions, and referring HMO enrollees to their HMOs.
The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
The CHIP Notice, also a required annual notice, is enclosed with the Creditable Coverage Letter to save postage. It explains the Medicaid and CHIP offer of free or low cost health coverage for children and families to anyone who might need this assistance. A copy is attached.
Where to find Notices Online
The 2011 SEHP Creditable Coverage Letter and the 2011 CHIP Notice (both attached to this memo) are available on NYSHIP Online in the "What's New" section, HBA Online in the "You Should Know" section and in the Notices section on NYS Online and HBA Online.
If you have questions about NYSHIP benefits, please call your processor at the EBD HBA Help Line at 518-474-2780. If you have questions about this distribution, please call EBD Communications at 518-457-7577.