KATHY HOCHUL
Governor
TIMOTHY R. HOGUES
Commissioner
PE25-25
PA25-22
TO: Health Benefits Administrators of Participating Employers (PEs) and Participating Agencies (PAs)
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Revised Online Empire Plan Certificates Effective January 1, 2025, for PAs and PEs
DATE: December 30, 2025
Updates to the Empire Plan Certificates for active employees and retirees enrolled through PAs and PEs with amendments through January 1, 2025, are now available. They are only available online on the NYSHIP website at nyship.ny.gov and HBA Online.
Amendments to The Empire Plan since the publication of each group’s July 1, 2023, Certificate are also available on the NYSHIP website and HBA Online. The amendments have been incorporated into the online versions of the Certificate, and the previous version for each group has been archived online for reference only.
Distribution
The revised Certificates for these groups will not be printed or available to order at this time and may only be accessed on the NYSHIP website. Updated Certificates will be printed and mailed to enrollees on a group-by-group basis once new contracts have been ratified and implemented or collectively bargained changes have been administratively extended.
Until such time, the respective printed Certificates for each group will continue to be available to order as standalone publications or as part of group Quick Order Packages. An insert will be included in each copy that notes that the most updated version of the Certificate is available online. The updated online PDF can be printed as well.
If you need help accessing HBA Online, contact the ITS Service Desk at 844-891-1786, fixit@its.ny.gov or chat.its.ny.gov. If you are unsure of how to order publications or have questions about this distribution, please email the EBD Communications Unit at communications@ny.gov.