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
NY09-52
TO: New York State Agency Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: NYS Vision Plan Changes for certain Employees Represented by NYSCOPBA and related enrollees.
DATE: December 18, 2009
Effective January 1, 2010, there will be benefit changes to the New York State Vision Plan for New York State employees represented by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association, Incorporated (NYSCOPBA) who are subject to binding arbitration, their eligible enrolled dependents and to COBRA enrollees and their families with vision care benefits resulting from coverage as an employee described above.
EyeMed Vision Care mailed each affected enrollee a letter (see enclosure) on December 15, 2009 that explains the benefit changes and benefit changes implemented on July 1, 2009. After January 1, 2010 enrollees can view or print a copy of the benefit booklet at www.cs.state.ny.us, choose Benefit Programs, choose NYSHIP Online, follow links and click on the link to EyeMed Vision Care.
If you have any questions, please contact your EBD Processor.