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.
GOVERNOR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12239
www.cs.ny.gov
COMMISSIONER
DANIEL E. WALL
EXECUTIVE
DEPUTY COMISSIONER
PA03-20
TO: Participating Agency Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: December 2003 Empire Plan Reports
DATE: December 22, 2003
We will soon begin mailing the December 2003 Empire Plan Reports for Participating Agencies with Core Empire Plan Benefits and for Participating Agencies with Core Plus Enhancements.
The Empire Plan Report includes:
Empire Plan Benefit News
UnitedHealthcare Medical Coverage, Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program
Empire Plan Reminders
1-877-7-NYSHIP, Hospital Outpatient Tests, Participating Provider Directories, The Empire Plan NurseLineSM, Annual Notice of Mastectomy and Reconstructive Surgery Benefits, Claims Deadlines
NYSHIP Reminders
“Other Children” Eligibility, Release of Health Information to Representatives, Medicare
NYSHIP General Information Book Amendments
Coverage: Individual or Family
Empire Plan Certificate Amendments
Inpatient Hospital Services, Outpatient Hospital Care, Limitations and Exclusions, Emergency Services, Generic Substitution, Prior Authorization
Special Section
The Empire Plan At A Glance 2004
Distribution of Reports
The Reports will be mailed to enrollee homes in January. We will send you a supply of the Reports equal to 3 percent of your enrollment as we mail each version.
Publications available on EBD Web site: www.cs.state.ny.us/ebdonline
Please check this Web site for copies of new publications. We generally post publications when we sign off for printing. That means you can see the publications before enrollees start receiving them.
Ordering Publications
You may order additional copies of the Reports and the stand-alone Empire Plan At A Glance by using the Publications Supply Order Forms enclosed with your shipment. Or, instead of faxing the form you may order on PA-MARKET. From the homepage, open Publications & Forms, then open NYSHIP Publication Order Forms. If you need help accessing PA-MARKET, please call the Help Desk or your processor. Please wait until you receive your shipments of the new reports before you place an order.
If you are unsure of how to order publications or have questions about this distribution, please call the Communications Unit at 518-457-7577.