KATHY HOCHUL
Governor
TIMOTHY R. HOGUES
Commissioner
PE26-04
PA26-04
TO: Health Benefits Administrators of Participating Employers (PEs) and Participating Agencies (PAs)
FROM: Employee Benefits Division
SUBJECT: 2026 PE and PA Dependent Enrollment Audit
DATE: February 13, 2026
The Department of Civil Service Division of Audit and Risk Management (ARM) is conducting an audit of NYSHIP dependents covered by The Empire Plan.
In the next week, you will receive an email from ARM (HBAReports@cs.ny.gov) requesting the most recent proof of eligibility for dependent coverage and the corresponding form(s) (e.g., PS-404, PS-404S, PS-425, PS-451, PS-457, PS-503) for up to two specified Empire Plan covered dependents.
To safeguard protected health information (PHI), you will be provided with the Empire Plan Alternate Identification (Alt ID) number, first name and birth year for each dependent sample. Please refer to the attached instructions on how to search for the NYBEAS Employee ID (typically their Social Security number) with the Alt ID.
If you cannot locate the last provided proof of eligibility for the dependent (e.g., it was provided to a former agency and did not get forwarded), you must request the enrollee submit current proof that establishes the dependent continues to be eligible. Please refer to the applicable HBA Manual’s dependent eligibility requirements for additional information on dependent eligibility and required documentation.
Within 10 days, you must submit the requested information to ARM. Documentation, along with the Documentation Cover Sheet, should be sent by fax to 518-485-5590 or mailed to:
NYS Department of Civil Service
Employee Benefits Division
Empire State Plaza, Core Building 1
Albany, NY 12239
Direct questions regarding this audit to ARM at HBAReports@cs.ny.gov.
If you have questions that cannot be answered using the HBA Manual about dependent eligibility or proofs, contact the HBA Helpline at 518-474-2780.
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.