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.
KATHY HOCHUL
Governor
REBECCA A. CORSO
Acting Commissioner
NY22-04
PE22-03
PA22-04
SEHP22-03
PAEX22-03
TO: New York State, Participating Employer and Participating Agency Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Mental Health and Substance Use Program’s Clinical Referral Line Flyer
DATE: March 1, 2022
To ensure Empire Plan, Excelsior Plan and Student Employee Health Plan (SEHP) enrollees and their dependents are receiving the mental health and substance use care they need; the attached flyer has been created to highlight the Clinical Referral Line which is administered by Beacon Health Options. The Clinical Referral Line ensures all members are connected to a licensed clinician who will assist them in finding a participating provider for conditions related to mental health and substance use. The flyer explains the purpose of the Clinical Referral Line and provides instructions on how to connect with a clinician. Agencies are requested to print out the flyer and post it in high traffic areas within your agency.
Please note the Clinical Referral Line can be reached 24 hours a day, every day of the year, by dialing 1-877-7-NYSHIP option 3. Enrollees in a NYSHIP HMO, or other employer sponsored coverage, are encouraged to contact their insurance carrier for instructions on how to locate a participating provider for mental health and substance use treatment.
If you need assistance accessing HBA Online, contact the ITS Service Desk at 844-891-1786, fixit@its.ny.gov or via chat at https://chat.its.ny.gov.