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.
ELIOT SPITZER
GOVERNOR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12239
www.cs.ny.gov
NANCY G. GROENWEGEN
COMMISSIONER
NY07-22
PE07-14
PA07-11
TO: New York State Health Benefits Administrators Participating Agency Health Benefits Administrators Participating Employer Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Ordering 2007 Empire Plan Participating Provider Directories
DATE: June 29, 2007
2007 Empire Plan Participating Provider Directories
Because many enrollees prefer the frequently updated online Participating Provider Directory at www.cs.state.ny.us to the print version, directories will not be mailed automatically to the homes of active enrollees in Upstate and Downstate New York again this year. All Empire Plan active enrollees on NYBEAS as of 6/14/07 will receive a postcard at their homes in early July.
Active enrollees may request a Directory by returning the postage-paid postcard by August 15, 2007, which will have a barcode with the enrollee’s address and code for the appropriate Directory embedded. The Directory will be mailed to the enrollee’s home within 10-12 weeks. If the enrollee does not return the card, no directory will be sent.
New Hires and Transfers
When the 2007 directories are printed, we will send you an agency supply. Until then, you may request a 2007 directory for your Empire Plan new hires and transfers who were added to NYBEAS after June 14, 2007.
- You may give them a postcard to mail in for the 2007 book. (If you need more cards, please use the attached form.) Be sure to show them where they can find the frequently updated online directory on NYS Online.
- Use the form on HBA Online, in the Participating Provider Directory section, that allows you to FAX the enrollee’s name in to be added to the list to receive a 2007 Empire Plan Participating Provider Directory in Fall 2007.
Agency Supply
We will send a memo outlining agency distribution, and you will receive a supply of major directories. You may order more of those on the list – or any other directory available on HBA Online – by returning the attachment to the memo.
Retirees will receive their directories automatically
NY/PE and PA retirees automatically will receive a Directory at their home address. When the 2007 directories are printed, we will send you a memo with additional information.
If you have questions about this distribution, please call the Communications Unit at 518-457-7577.
Thank you for your attention and assistance in this process.