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.
PAEX16-04
TO: Health Benefits Administrators at Participating Agencies with the Excelsior Plan
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: NYSHIP General Information Book for Participating Agencies
DATE: February 10, 2016
We are pleased to announce that a NYSHIP General Information Book (GIB) for active and retired employees of Participating Agencies is at the printer and will soon be mailed to enrollee homes and PA agencies.
Revised Book
The 2015 General Information Book for PAs contains information regarding NYSHIP eligibility rules, enrollment options, requirements and costs. This version represents the most substantial revision to the GIB undertaken in years, so we highly recommend that all HBAs take the opportunity to review it upon receipt. Please also note that the new book is divided into sections for active enrollees and retirees, for the purpose of clarity.
Excelsior Plan Certificate
An Excelsior Plan Certificate is under development, with an anticipated release date within the next year. We will send another HBA memo to let you know when this publication is complete.
Distribution
We will send you a supply of 5 copies for your use. This publication will begin mailing to enrollee homes in mid-February. Mail files were pulled from NYBEAS on January 30, 2016. Any enrollee not on the file as of that date will not receive this mailing. You may, however, order a Quick Order (QO) package on HBA Online for any new hire since it will include this publication. Otherwise, you should include a copy of the new GIB in the package of information you give to new hires.
Publications Available on Our Web Site: https://www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits
Please check our web site for new publications. We generally post publications when we sign off for printing. Publications are available under Using Your Benefits.
Ordering Publications
You may order additional copies of the PA General Information Book (PA0177) on HBA Online under Publications & Forms. Please wait until you receive your shipment of the new publication before you place an order.
If you need help accessing HBA Online, email the AGS-ITS Enterprise Service Desk at its.sm.esd.ags@its.ny.gov.
If you are unsure of how to order publications or have questions about this distribution, please call the EBD Communications Unit at 518-457-7577.