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
NY10-30
TO: New York State Agency Health Benefits Administrators; Participating Employer Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Updated NYS Vision Plan Booklets for certain Employees Represented by NYSCOPBA (arbitration eligible) and related enrollees
DATE: September 23, 2010
Effective January 1, 2010, the New York State Vision Plan for enrollees represented by the New York State Correctional Officers and Police Benevolent Association (NYSCOPBA) (arbitration eligible) as well as COBRA enrollees with NYSCOPBA (arbitration eligible) vision care benefits included the following benefit:
Laser Vision Correction Network:
Active employees and former employees enrolled under COBRA will be covered for a plan funded laser vision correction benefit once every five years. A member copayment of 10% of the discounted price for laser vision correction procedures, up to a maximum of $200, is applicable. Covered dependents will continue to be eligible for the employee-pay-all laser vision “discount program.”
The attached letter along with an updated NYS Vision Plan booklet will be sent to enrollees to explain their benefit changes. In addition, EyeMed Vision Care will soon be sending you a small supply of the updated NYS Vision Plan booklets for NYSCOPBA (arbitration eligible) enrollees. Enclosed with the booklets will be a cover letter and a NYS Vision Plan Publications Supply Request Form with instructions for requesting additional booklets from EyeMed Vision Care. The Supply Request Form can also be found on HBA Online at www.cs.state.ny.us:
- Choose Benefits Programs
- Choose HBA Online
- Enter your User ID and Password
- Choose Publications & Forms
- Choose New York State Vision Plan Benefit Booklet Order Form
If you have any questions, please contact your EBD Processor.