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
NY07-46
PE07-31
PA07-24
TO: New York State Health Benefits Administrators Participating Agency Health Benefits Administrators Participating Employer Health Benfits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Creditable Coverage Letter
DATE: October 29, 2007
In mid October, the Employee Benefits Division mailed a Creditable Coverage letter to all NYSHIP enrollees (see attached). This letter fulfills the annual creditable coverage notice requirement for 2007. 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 subject. 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 2007 Creditable Coverage Notice is available on 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.