HMO Changes for 2005

The Joint Labor/Management Committees on Health Benefits (JLMC) have completed reviewing proposals submitted by HMOs for inclusion or continued participation in the New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP). The JLMC limited new HMO requests for inclusion in NYSHIP, as well as expansion requests from those already participating, to seven (7) counties deemed underserved. These counties were: Chemung, Franklin, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Schuyler, Steuben and Tom pkins.

The JLMC approved the following HMO requests:

• All of the HMOs currently participating in NYSHIP will continue to be available in the year 2005.

• The JLMC approved a request from MVP Health Care to expand its service area to include Jefferson county.

If you are enrolled in an HMO that will be making a benefit change for the year 2005, you will be sent a side-by-side benefit comparison no later than October 20th. HMOs making benefit changes include:  Blue Choice, CDPHP, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, HMO Blue (Utica and Central New York regions), Independent Health, and Preferred Care. Premium rate information for the year 2005 is not yet available. Please be sure to review the rate flyer carefully. HMO premium contributions may increase significantly from one year to the next.