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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.

State Seal

ANDREW M. CUOMO
GOVERNOR

STATE OF NEW YORK
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12239
www.cs.ny.gov

JERRY BOONE
COMMISSIONER

PA14-13
PAEX14-13

TO: Participating Agency Chief Executive Officers & Health Benefit Administrators
FROM: Robert W. DuBois, Director of the Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Empire Plan Quarterly Experience Report
DATE: March 25, 2014

Enclosed are the Fourth Quarter Empire Plan Experience Report for 2013 and the cover letter to agency Chief Executive Officers. This report presents the projected 2013 Empire Plan experience and the projected 2015 premium rates.

March 25, 2014

Dear Chief Executive Officer:

Attached is the Empire Plan Fourth Quarter Experience Report for 2013. This report presents the projected 2013 Empire Plan experience and the projected 2015 premium rates.

For the 2013 Plan Year, the Empire Plan carriers project a net surplus of $303.6 million, or 4.52% of premium. While this represents a decrease of $29.4 million in the projected surplus reported by the carriers in the third quarter reports, it is an improvement of $106.3 million from the projections reflected in the carriers' second quarter reports.

Exhibit III presents a range of the projected 2015 Empire Plan premium rates. These projections include a tentative dividend application amount of $220 million which is $92 million greater than the dividend credit included in the 2014 rates.

The "best estimate" projected net premium increase for 2015 is 5.2%, in aggregate, for The Empire Plan and 5.5%, in aggregate, for The Excelsior Plan. These projections are based on a number of assumptions made by the carriers and the Department of Civil Service. Historically, the actual increase in the premium has been less than the increase in premium projected in the 4th Quarter Reports.

Given the ongoing fiscal challenges faced by the State and its localities, our continuing goal is to achieve 2015 NYSHIP rates that are as low as possible while promoting rate stability for the near future. The 2015 premium rate development and related proceedings will begin in September.

I hope this report is informative. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Robert W. DuBois, CEBS
Director
Employee Benefits Division

PARTICIPATING AGENCIES

EMPIRE PLAN
2013 Fourth Quarter
Experience Report

Prepared by the State of New York
Department of Civil Service

EMPIRE PLAN EXPERIENCE REPORT
FOURTH QUARTER
Produced for
PARTICIPATING AGENCIES IN THE
NEW YORK STATE
HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM
by
The Employee Benefits Division
New York State Department of Civil Service

Projected 2013 Empire Plan Experience

Projected 2015 Premium Rates

 

EXHIBITS

    1. Projected 2013 Empire Plan Experience as of 12/31/2013
    2. Projected 2013 Empire Plan Experience as of 9/30/2013
    3. Projected 2015 PA Premium Rates
    4. Empire Plan PA 5-Tier Group Rates (2006-2015)
    5. Empire Plan PA 2-Tier Group Rates (2006-2015)

 

NYSHIP News

PROJECTED 2013 EMPIRE PLAN EXPERIENCE

The Empire Plan carriers project an aggregate surplus of $303.6 million (4.52% of premium) for 2013, as presented in Exhibit I. For comparison purposes, the Empire Plan carriers' projected 2013 experience based on claims paid through September 2013 are presented in Exhibit II. The following chart presents the percentage of the projected incurred claims actually paid, as well as the most recent projected 2013 trend as compared to the trend assumed during the 2013 premium rate development:

 

 

% of Paid Claims to Projected
Incurred Claims

Projected 2013 Trend

 

2012

2013

At Renewal

At 2013 4th Quarter

Blue Cross Hospital

99.7% 87.9% 8.7% 6.5%

UHC Medical

99.9% 91.8% 9.0% 4.7%

UHC MHSA

99.8% 85.2% 8.0% 4.7%

UHC Rx

100.0% 96.8% 4.3% 5.5%

 

As a result of negotiations with the State, the carriers agreed to remove the margin from the 2013 premium rates. Additionally, based on the amount of the projected 2012 dividend and our concern about continued underlying carrier conservatism, the State requested additional premium reductions totaling $142.3 million from the 2013 premium rates. In return for the reductions in the carrier premium requests, retrospective premium agreements totaling $403.7 million were necessary. The projected 2013 surplus by each carrier as compared to the margin level and premium reductions factored in the 2013 premium are as follows:

 

 

Margin

Premium Adjustments

Projected 2013
Dividend/(Loss)

Experience Change

Blue Cross Hospital

$0

($60.0)

$39.4 $99.4

UHC Medical

$0

($70.0)

$190.9 $260.9

UHC MHSA

$0

($2.3)

$16.0 $18.3

UHC Rx

$0

($10.0)

$57.3 $67.3

Total

$0

($142.3)

$303.6 $445.9

In millions

 

The overall 2013 experience is projected to improve by $445.9 million from the carrier projections made at the time the premium was developed. The primary causes for the substantial improvement in the projected experience is attributable to the decrease in the projected 2013 claim base and the reduction in the 2013 trend estimates as anticipated by the State and its benefit consultant. Other contributing factors include an increase in anticipated pharma revenue receipts and Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) subsidies from the implementation of the Empire Plan Medicare Rx plan in 2013 and $80 million in premium tax savings associated with the conversion of the Medical Program contract to a self-insured arrangement effective January 1, 2013.

2015 PROJECTED PREMIUM RATES

Similar to 2014, development of the 2015 premium rates will again be challenging as a result of the Empire Plan becoming fully self-funded effective January 1, 2014. For all four Empire Plan contracts, "premium equivalent rates" will be developed by the Department with assistance from the Department's benefit consultant and the contractors administering the Plan's programs. The projected 2015 increase in net premium as presented in Exhibit III, is 5.2% and 5.5% for the Empire Plan and the Excelsior Plan, respectively. The underlying assumptions/factors contributing to this increase include:

    • A 2014 premium that is expected to result in a marginal dividend.
    • 2015 projected trend of 6.0%.
    • Transitional Reinsurance Fee mandated by the Affordable Care Act is projected to decrease from $54 million in 2014 to $38 million in 2015.
    • An increased application of federal and manufacturer subsidies received under the Employer Group Waiver Plan.

While $460.0 million in dividend is anticipated to be available on December 31, 2014, the projected 2015 premium rates include the tentative use of $220.0 million in dividend or $92 million greater than the dividend credit included in the 2014 rates ($52.8 million greater than the aggregate of the dividend credit plus the Early Retirement Reinsurance Program "ERRP" credit, included in the 2014 rates). The actual amount of dividend monies to be applied in the 2015 premium rates will be determined in September 2014 with the balance of the dividends set aside to provide stability to future year rate increases.

Exhibit IV presents The Empire Plan individual and family 5-tier billing rate history since 2006. Exhibit V presents, for illustrative purposes only, the 2-tier rate history from 2006 to 2015.

Exhibit I

2013 PROJECTED EMPIRE PLAN EXPERIENCE AS OF 12/31/2013
In (000's)

 

EMPIRE
BLUE CROSS

UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICAL

UHC MHSA

UHC
DRUG

TOTAL

 

Core

NY
Enhancement

PA
Enhancement

Combined

Core

NY
Enhancement

PA
Enhancement

Combined

   
A Premium (1) 2,399,754 2,068,603 295,987 295,782 2,660,372 161,152 10,062 11,769 182,983 1,475,347 6,718,456
B Incurred Claims (2) 2,195,005 1,785,665 255,836 256,720 2,298,221 119,659 13,570 10,631 143,860 1,290,645 5,927,731
C Administrative Expense (3) 165,378 141,373 14,911 14,957 171,241 20,314 1,268 1,491 23,073 127,405 487,097
D Gain/(Loss) (A-B-C) 39,371 141,565 25,240 24,105 190,910 21,179 (4,776) (353) 16,050 57,297 303,628

(1) Earned Premium – Premium which pays for coverage for the period reported (accrual basis).
(2) Incurred Claims – Represents the cost of covered services provided during the period reported by the insurance company (accrual basis).
(3) Administrative Expenses – All charges by the insurance carrier other than for the payment of claims. Includes carrier's cost to administer the program, interest charges, and other retention.

 

Source: Carriers 2013 4th Quarter Report

Exhibit II

2013 PROJECTED EMPIRE PLAN EXPERIENCE AS OF 9/30/2013
In (000's)

 

EMPIRE
BLUE CROSS

UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICAL

UHC MHSA

UHC
DRUG

TOTAL

 

Core

NY
Enhancement

PA
Enhancement

Combined

Core

NY
Enhancement

PA
Enhancement

Combined

   
A Premium (1) 2,398,337 2,067,327 295,980 295,287 2,658,594 161,092 10,064 11,752 182,908 1,474,337 6,714,176
B Incurred Claims (2) 2,162,495 1,788,211 252,670 250,334 2,291,215 127,323 7,696 9,338 144,357 1,295,218 5,893,285
C Administrative Expense (3) 164,123 146,091 15,044 14,932 176,067 20,312 1,268 1,490 23,070 124,587 487,847
D Gain/(Loss) (A-B-C) 71,719 133,025 28,266 30,021 191,312 13,457 1,100 924 15,481 54,532 333,044

(1) Earned Premium – Premium which pays for coverage for the period reported (accrual basis).
(2) Incurred Claims – Represents the cost of covered services provided during the period reported by the insurance company (accrual basis).
(3) Administrative Expenses – All charges by the insurance carrier other than for the payment of claims. Includes carrier's cost to administer the program, interest charges, and other retention.

 

Source: Carriers 2013 3rd Quarter Report

Exhibit III

2015 Premium Projections

Empire Plan

Optimistic Projections

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2014

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2015 (3)

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
% Change

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2014

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2015 (3)

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
% Change

Individual Plan Prime 789.31 823.27 4.3% 771.54 795.35 3.1%
Family Plan Prime 1,752.26 1,828.43 4.3% 1,714.19 1,768.45 3.2%
Individual Medprime 424.22 426.60 0.6% 408.77 414.61 1.4%
Family - 1 Medprime 1,387.18 1,431.78 3.2% 1,351.42 1,387.74 2.7%
Family - 2+ Medprime 1,022.11 1,035.13 1.3% 988.69 1,007.03 1.9%
Aggregate     3.6%     2.8%

 

Best Estimate Projections

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2014

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2015 (3)

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
% Change

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2014

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2015 (3)

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
% Change

Individual Plan Prime 789.31 840.43 6.5% 771.54 812.51 5.3%
Family Plan Prime 1,752.26 1,866.27 6.5% 1,714.19 1,806.29 5.4%
Individual Medprime 424.22 438.15 3.3% 408.77 426.16 4.3%
Family - 1 Medprime 1,387.18 1,464.01 5.5% 1,351.42 1,419.97 5.1%
Family - 2+ Medprime 1,022.11 1,061.72 3.9% 988.69 1,033.62 4.5%
Aggregate     5.9%     5.2%

 

Pessimistic Projections

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2014

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2015 (3)

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
% Change

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2014

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2015 (3)

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
% Change

Individual Plan Prime 789.31 857.63 8.7% 771.54 829.71 7.5%
Family Plan Prime 1,752.26 1,904.19 8.7% 1,714.19 1,844.21 7.6%
Individual Medprime 424.22 449.71 6.0% 408.77 437.72 7.1%
Family - 1 Medprime 1,387.18 1,496.26 7.9% 1,351.42 1,452.22 7.5%
Family - 2+ Medprime 1,022.11 1,088.33 6.5% 988.69 1,060.23 7.2%
Aggregate     8.2%     7.5%

(1) Represents premiums charged by the carriers.
(2) Represents cost to a participating agency.
(3) Projected Rates.

2015 Premium Projections

Excelsior Plan

Optimistic Projections

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2014

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2015 (3)

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
% Change

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2014

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2015 (3)

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
% Change

Individual Plan Prime 694.89 729.34 5.0% 683.78 708.97 3.7%
Family Plan Prime 1,554.06 1,631.87 5.0% 1,529.87 1,587.44 3.8%
Individual Medprime 363.35 367.32 1.1% 351.53 357.99 1.8%
Family - 1 Medprime 1,222.51 1,269.86 3.9% 1,197.59 1,236.45 3.2%
Family - 2+ Medprime 890.96 907.84 1.9% 865.34 885.47 2.3%
Aggregate     3.9%     3.2%

 

Best Estimate Projections

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2014

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2015 (3)

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
% Change

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2014

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2015 (3)

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
% Change

Individual Plan Prime 694.89 744.11 7.1% 683.78 723.74 5.8%
Family Plan Prime 1,554.06 1,664.71 7.1% 1,529.87 1,620.28 5.9%
Individual Medprime 363.35 377.13 3.8% 351.53 367.80 4.6%
Family - 1 Medprime 1,222.51 1,297.71 6.2% 1,197.59 1,264.30 5.6%
Family - 2+ Medprime 890.96 930.72 4.5% 865.34 908.35 5.0%
Aggregate     6.1%     5.5%

 

Pessimistic Projections

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2014

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
2015 (3)

Monthly Gross Premium Rates (1)
% Change

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2014

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
2015 (3)

Monthly Net Premium Rates (2)
% Change

Individual Plan Prime 694.89 758.92 9.2% 683.78 738.55 8.0%
Family Plan Prime 1,554.06 1,697.62 9.2% 1,529.87 1,653.19 8.1%
Individual Medprime 363.35 386.93 6.5% 351.53 377.60 7.4%
Family - 1 Medprime 1,222.51 1,325.61 8.4% 1,197.59 1,292.20 7.9%
Family - 2+ Medprime 890.96 953.62 7.0% 865.34 931.25 7.6%
Aggregate     8.4%     7.9%

(1) Represents premiums charged by the carriers.
(2) Represents cost to a participating agency.
(3) Projected Rates.

Exhibit IV

EMPIRE PLAN
PA 5 TIER GROUP RATES
2006 - 2015 Monthly Rates

Individual Planprime

Year

Gross Rate (1)

% Change

Net Rate (2)

% Change

2006 547.86 11.7% 529.76 10.7%
2007 600.69 9.6% 564.84 6.6%
2008 633.79 5.5% 592.38 4.9%
2009 630.73 -0.5% 598.58 1.0%
2010 660.24 4.7% 612.34 2.3%
2011 734.00 11.2% 693.92 13.3%
2012 751.55 2.4% 712.75 2.7%
2013 779.91 3.8% 767.98 7.7%
2014 789.31 1.2% 771.54 0.5%
2015 projected 840.43 6.5% 812.51 5.3%

Average Percent Increase

 

% Change

% Change

From Inception of 5 Tier Structure (1996) 7.1% 7.5%
Most Recent 10 Years 5.6% 5.5%
Most Recent 5 Years 5.0% 5.9%

 

Family Planprime

Year

Gross Rate (1)

% Change

Net Rate (2)

% Change

2006 1,164.16 12.1% 1,126.19 11.1%
2007 1,273.96 9.4% 1,198.07 6.4%
2008 1,346.27 5.7% 1,258.78 5.1%
2009 1,350.26 0.3% 1,282.17 1.9%
2010 1,431.43 6.0% 1,330.93 3.8%
2011 1,598.49 11.7% 1,513.92 13.7%
2012 1,645.31 2.9% 1,562.80 3.2%
2013 1,712.76 4.1% 1,686.56 7.9%
2014 1,752.26 2.3% 1,714.19 1.6%
2015 projected 1,866.27 6.5% 1,806.29 5.4%

Average Percent Increase

 

% Change

% Change

From Inception of 5 Tier Structure (1996) 7.0% 7.4%
Most Recent 10 Years 6.1% 6.0%
Most Recent 5 Years 5.5% 6.4%

 

Individual Medprime

Year

Gross Rate (1)

% Change

Net Rate (2)

% Change

2006 359.35 5.5% 338.88 2.1%
2007 363.02 1.0% 333.18 -1.7%
2008 397.23 9.4% 360.41 8.2%
2009 384.38 -3.2% 359.22 -0.3%
2010 400.76 4.3% 367.37 2.3%
2011 446.90 11.5% 405.64 10.4%
2012 447.66 0.2% 419.24 3.4%
2013 409.85 -8.4% 399.33 -4.7%
2014 424.22 3.5% 408.77 2.4%
2015 projected 438.15 3.3% 426.16 4.3%

Average Percent Increase

 

% Change

% Change

From Inception of 5 Tier Structure (1996) 4.1% 4.7%
Most Recent 10 Years 2.7% 2.6%
Most Recent 5 Years 2.0% 3.1%

 

Family - 1 Medprime

Year

Gross Rate (1)

% Change

Net Rate (2)

% Change

2006 975.66 9.8% 935.32 7.9%
2007 1,036.30 6.2% 966.44 3.3%
2008 1,109.74 7.1% 1,026.86 6.3%
2009 1,103.90 -0.5% 1,042.81 1.6%
2010 1,171.95 6.2% 1,085.94 4.1%
2011 1,311.39 11.9% 1,225.62 12.9%
2012 1,341.42 2.3% 1,269.28 3.6%
2013 1,342.71 0.1% 1,317.93 3.8%
2014 1,387.18 3.3% 1,351.42 2.5%
2015 projected 1,464.01 5.5% 1,419.97 5.1%

Average Percent Increase

 

% Change

% Change

From Inception of 5 Tier Structure (1996) 5.8% 6.2%
Most Recent 10 Years 5.2% 5.1%
Most Recent 5 Years 4.6% 5.6%

 

Family - 2 or More Medprime

Year

Gross Rate (1)

% Change

Net Rate (2)

% Change

2006 787.16 6.5% 744.45 3.3%
2007 798.65 1.5% 734.81 -1.3%
2008 873.21 9.3% 794.94 8.2%
2009 857.54 -1.8% 803.45 1.1%
2010 912.48 6.4% 840.98 4.7%
2011 1,024.28 12.3% 937.31 11.5%
2012 1,037.53 1.3% 975.77 4.1%
2013 972.66 -6.3% 949.28 -2.7%
2014 1,022.11 5.1% 988.69 4.2%
2015 projected 1,061.72 3.9% 1,033.62 4.5%

Average Percent Increase

 

% Change

% Change

From Inception of 5 Tier Structure (1996) 4.5% 5.1%
Most Recent 10 Years 3.8% 3.7%
Most Recent 5 Years 3.3% 4.3%

(1) Represents premiums paid to the carriers.
(2) Represents cost to a participating agency.
(3) Inception of Medprime Rate Structure.

Exhibit V

EMPIRE PLAN
PA 2 TIER GROUP RATES
2005-2014 Monthly Rates
(For Illustrative Purposes Only)

Individual

Year

Gross Rate (1)

% Change

Net Rate (2)

% Change

2006 477.33 10.1% 459.25 8.5%
2007 511.23 7.1% 477.96 4.1%
2008 536.84 5.0% 498.88 4.4%
2009 527.09 -1.8% 497.91 -0.2%
2010 557.46 5.8% 515.75 3.6%
2011 621.78 11.5% 581.69 12.8%
2012 619.95 -0.3% 584.75 0.5%
2013 608.23 -1.9% 594.58 1.7%
2014 619.05 1.8% 602.57 1.3%
2015 projected 653.36 5.5% 632.03 4.9%

Average Percent Increase

 

% Change

% Change

From Inception (1986) 6.9% 6.9%
Most Recent 10 Years 4.3% 4.2%
Most Recent 5 Years 3.3% 4.2%

Family

Year

Gross Rate (1)

% Change

Net Rate (2)

% Change

2006 1,073.28 10.8% 1,034.40 9.4%
2007 1,158.16 7.9% 1,084.90 4.9%
2008 1,233.38 6.5% 1,150.41 6.0%
2009 1,230.02 -0.3% 1,165.24 1.3%
2010 1,297.06 5.5% 1,203.56 3.3%
2011 1,441.84 11.2% 1,353.97 12.5%
2012 1,478.23 2.5% 1,398.52 3.3%
2013 1,502.55 1.6% 1,471.47 5.2%
2014 1,539.35 2.4% 1,502.31 2.1%
2015 projected 1,628.63 5.8% 1,577.30 5.0%

Average Percent Increase

 

% Change

% Change

From Inception (1986) 7.5% 7.5%
Most Recent 10 Years 5.4% 5.3%
Most Recent 5 Years 4.7% 5.6%

(1) Represents premiums charged by the carriers.
(2) Represents cost to a participating agency.

 

 

NYSHIP News Information for local governments participating in NYSHIP

Fourth Quarter Report – 2013

Federal Health Care Reform

Employee Benefits Division staff continues to monitor and review and monitor updates related to Federal Healthcare Reform which NYSHIP will be required to implement. We will provide updated information as specific actions are taken.

Procurement Updates

Mental Health and Substance Abuse (MHSA) Program: The Department of Civil Service (DCS) conducted an emergency procurement in December and awarded one year contract for the MHSA Program to be administered by ValueOptions effective January 1, 2014. The contract provides for an option to extend the contract for up to an additional six months. On March 14th, the DCS issued a Request for Proposal to secure the services of a qualified Offeror to administer the MHSA Program following the end of the current contract.

Prescription Drug Program: The Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program, administered by CVS/Caremark with a five year contact term, was implemented effective January 1, 2014. This implementation included the termination of medicare primary enrollees from the Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP) administered by Express Scripts and their reenrollment in the EGWP administered by Silverscripts, a subsidiary of CVS Caremark. While this enrollment process was successful for over 99% of members, some members experienced problems in this enrollment process requiring additional steps to be taken to maintain coverage. If a member believes they have been incorrectly terminated from their prescription drug coverage, they should call CVS Caremark.

Agency Experience Reports

Agency specific Empire Plan and Excelsior Plan financial experience reports are available from the Employee Benefits Division upon request. These reports are calendar year based and provide aggregate data broken down by Plan component – hospital, medical/surgical, mental health/substance abuse and prescription drug. To obtain a financial experience report, PAs may submit an official written request on agency letterhead indicating the calendar years for which reports are desired. The request may be directed to the Employee Benefits Division – Director’s Office.

GASB 45 Assumptions Report and Census Data

The 2012 Buck Consultants report Development of Recommended Actuarial Assumptions for New York State/SUNY GASB Valuation – Participating Agency Version is now available online at: http://www.cs.ny.gov/GASB/2012PAReport.pdf.

NYSHIP will provide agency census reports upon request, for use in complying with the provisions of GASB 45. Since the data included in this report will be current at the time it is provided, it is important that an agency’s NYBEAS file is up-to-date, including correctly identifying and coding retirees before requesting census data.

To request a copy of your agency’s census information, please send an e-mail to: MaryEllen.Brucculeri@cs.state.ny.us and include your name, agency name & code number, mailing address, phone number and e-mail address. For additional information about GASB 45, please refer to Memos PA06-11 and PA06-18.

Prompt Payment of NYSHIP Premium

The Employee Benefits Division continues to aggressively monitor agencies that fail to submit premium payments in a timely manner. This procedure includes suspension of claims for enrollees of any agency that falls three months behind in premium. To avoid disruption of NYSHIP coverage, agencies must ensure submission of premium payments by the due date, as we must submit premium to the NYSHIP insurers on time. Agencies may wish to consider submitting payments electronically to promote timely payments.

Mailing of HBA Memos

As you may be aware, it is mandatory that all Participating Agencies have access to the New York State Benefits Eligibility and Accounting System (NYBEAS) and HBA Online. On January 27, 2012 we issued Memo PA12-02/PAEX12-02, which notified agency HBAs that we will no longer be mailing printed copies of HBA Memos. All new HBA Memos are posted to HBA Online, with a notification sent through NYBEAS. As a result, it is very important that a representative of your agency access NYBEAS and HBA Online frequently to ensure receipt of the most up-to-date information from the Employee Benefits Division. It is also very important that your agency maintain current contact information and system access permissions with the Department of Civil Service. If your agency needs to request new permissions or needs to update its current permissions, please email the ITS Enterprise Service Desk at its.sm.esd.ags@its.ny.gov to request a copy of the Information Resource Management Form IRM-302.

Availability of Reports Electronically

The Empire Plan Experience Reports are available through the following direct link to our website: http://www.cs.ny.gov/ebd/ebdonlinecenter/pamarket/qer.cfm.

CEO, CFO & HBA Name and Address Changes

Agencies must notify the Employee Benefits Division of any changes in the names and/or addresses (including e-mail addresses) of agency CEOs, CFOs and/or HBAs to ensure that our mailing and contact lists are up-to-date. Any updates should be e-mailed to: Deborah.Dorazio@cs.state.ny.us.