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
NY25-24
PE25-19
PA25-16
SEHP25-15
TO: All Health Benefits Administrators
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: October 2025 Reporting On Gender-Affirming Care
DATE: October 17, 2025
The Employee Benefits Division (EBD) announces a new Reporting On Gender-Affirming Care publication. The Reporting On publications describe specific programs and benefits available under The Empire Plan. They are informational handouts for new employees or enrollees.
Reporting On Gender-Affirming Care (AL2097, October 2025) provides an overview of The Empire Plan’s coverage for gender-affirming care, including behavioral health, prescriptions, non-surgical treatment options, surgical treatment options, care for adolescents and fertility preservation.
Distribution
Reporting On Gender-Affirming Care publication will not be mailed to enrollee homes. It will be available online and by request.
Publications Available on Our Website: nyship.ny.gov
Please check nyship.ny.gov for new publications under Current Publications. Publications are generally posted online after they have been printed.
Ordering Publications
You may order copies of the October 2025 Reporting On Gender-Affirming Care on HBA Online under Publications & Forms beginning in late October. 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. If you are unsure of how to order publications or have questions about this distribution, please email communications@cs.ny.gov.