Empire Plan Pharmacy Network Changes

On 9/26/09, the benchmark used to determine pharmacy reimbursement, known as “Average Wholesale Price” or AWP, was reduced by 4 percent as a result of a settlement in a class action lawsuit.   This settlement is impacting all pharmacy benefit programs, including the Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program.  For the Empire Plan, the AWP rollback will result in a cost savings. When determining the 2010 Empire Plan premium rates, United Healthcare (UHC), the Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program insurer, projected cost savings of at least $60M due to the AWP rollback...Click here for more

Deadlines Approaching for Flex Spending and Empire Plan Claims

Employees enrolled in the Flex Spending Account for the 2009 plan year have until March 31, 2010 to send in reimbursement claims for eligible expenses incurred under the Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account. Visit the Flex Spending Account web site at www.flexspend.state.ny.us to download a reimbursement claim form or call Fringe Benefits Management Company at 1-800-342-8017 to request one...Click here for more

     Continuing Coverage for Dependents Who Graduate or Leave School

Your unmarried dependent children who are age 19 or over but under age 25 are eligible for coverage in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) if they are full-time students at an accredited secondary or preparatory school, college or other educational institution, and are otherwise not eligible for employer group or military health care coverage (e.g., cadets at U.S. military academies).  They continue to be eligible until the earlier of the following dates:...Click here for more