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
TIMOTHY R. HOGUES
Commissioner
PAEX24-08
TO: Health Benefits Administrators of Participating Agencies (PAs) with the Excelsior Plan
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Online Presentation for Current Excelsior Plan Enrollees Whose Agencies Will Change Health Coverage Option to The Empire Plan Effective January 1, 2025
DATE: August 8, 2024
Effective January 1, 2025, the Department of Civil Service will discontinue the Excelsior Plan option for all NYSHIP Participating Agencies (PA). All impacted agencies have been given the option to enroll their employees in The Empire Plan.
Informational Presentation Now Online
NYSHIP has created a brief video presentation for current Excelsior Plan enrollees whose agencies plan to change their health coverage option to The Empire Plan effective January 1, 2025. The video highlights additional benefits available through The Empire Plan and is available in the What’s New section of NYSHIP Online and in the You Should Know section of HBA Online.
Postcard
All current Excelsior Plan enrollees whose Empire Plan coverage will begin on January 1, 2025 will receive a postcard this Fall featuring instructions for accessing the video presentation. A PDF version of the postcard is attached to this memo for your reference.
Publications Available on NYSHIP Online: www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits
Empire Plan publications for employees of Participating Agencies can be accessed on NYSHIP Online under Using Your Benefits.
If you need help 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.