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.
DAVID A. PATERSON
GOVERNOR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12239
www.cs.ny.gov
NANCY G. GROENWEGEN
COMMISSIONER
NY09-42
TO: New York State Health Benefit Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Additional Information Regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and NYSHIP
DATE: August 19, 2009
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides for COBRA premium assistance for enrollees and their covered dependents, who have a continuation coverage election opportunity related to an involuntary termination of employment that occurred during the period September 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. Eligible individuals pay 35% of the full COBRA premiums during the subsidy period, which can last for up to nine months. Information regarding the ARRA COBRA premium reduction provisions was previously provided in the NY09-20/SEHP09-07 memo.
We have prepared the attached additional information regarding the ARRA COBRA premium reduction provisions and NYSHIP. The material also can be accessed at: https://cs.state.ny.us/employee-benefits. It includes information regarding Preferred List Status and its impact on the ARRA COBRA premium reduction. Please provide this material to all employees who experience an involuntary termination of employment through December 31, 2009, including those employees who experience layoff.
Additional information regarding health insurance coverage and related benefits for enrollees and their covered dependents affected by layoff can be accessed at: https://cs.state.ny.us/employee-benefits. If you order the layoff flyer you also will receive copies of the supplemental ARRA COBRA information. Please provide both documents to those employees who experience layoff.
Employees leaving State service should be advised to read all Plan materials and COBRA information very carefully to ensure they are fully informed of their rights and responsibilities.
If you have any questions you may contact your processor, or the Employee Benefits Division COBRA Unit at (518) 457-5754.