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.
GEORGE E. PATAKI
GOVERNOR
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL SERVICE
ALBANY, NEW YORK 12239
www.cs.ny.gov
DANIEL E. WALL
COMMISSIONER
JOHN F. BARR
EXECUTIVE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
PA06-08
TO: Health Benefits Administrators of Participating Agencies
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: Happy 65th Birthday letter to retirees of Participating Agencies
DATE: March 20, 2006
The Employee Benefits Division is pleased to inform you that beginning in March 2006, a new monthly mailing will be sent to PA retirees (or dependents) who are within 4 months of turning age 65. This "Happy 65th Birthday" mailing reminds recipients to enroll in Medicare by their 65th birthday, in accordance with NYSHIP rules.
The mailing includes a personalized letter (see sample attached), the April 2004 publication: "What Participating Agency Retirees Need to Know about Medicare and NYSHIP", the PA version of the Medicare Part D letter dated August 2005, and a Notice of Creditable Coverage.
In the letter, enrollees are reminded that they must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B to be sure they do not have their NYSHIP coverage severely reduced. The Medicare Part D letter explains NYSHIP and the new Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Note: The 2004 publication is currently under revision and the new version will replace the old when it is available.
All of these materials are available on HBA Online (formerly ebd_online) under Publications and Forms.
Retirees are directed to call you, their former agency Health Benefits Administrator with questions. If you have questions about NYSHIP rules regarding Medicare, please call the Employee Benefits Division at 518-485-1771. If you have questions about this distribution, please call Communications at 518-457-7577.
Thank you for your assistance.
Attachments:
Sample Letter
What Participating Agency Retirees Need to Know about Medicare and NYSHIP
Medicare Part D Letter
Notice of Creditable Coverage