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.
GEORGE E. PATAKI
GOVERNOR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12239
www.cs.ny.gov
DANIEL E. WALL
COMMISSIONER
JOHN F. BARR
EXECUTIVE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
NY06-36
PE06-29
PA06-23
TO: New York State Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Creditable Coverage Letter
DATE: September 29, 2006
In mid October, the Employee Benefits Division will mail a Creditable Coverage letter to all NYSHIP enrollees (see attached). This letter will fulfill the annual creditable coverage notice requirement for 2006. 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 information they need.
A copy of the letter is attached so that you are aware of what is being mailed to enrollees and to keep you up-to-date on this complicated issue. We will continue to send information as necessary.
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 2006 Creditable Coverage Notice will be on the NYSHIP Online in the “What’s New” section and HBA Online in the “You Should Know” section.
If you have questions about NYSHIP benefits, please call your processor. If you have questions about this distribution, please call EBD Communications at 1-518-457-7577.
Attachment: Creditable Coverage Letter