• PEF, Hochul and other unions celebrate Paid Parental Leave 

    PEF, Hochul and other unions celebrate Paid Parental Leave 

     June 13, 2023 — Governor Kathy Hochul invited members of PEF, UUP and CSEA to an event at the Albany Labor Temple to celebrate the expansion of Paid Parental Leave to public sector workers.   The 2023-2026 PS&T Tentative Agreement with New York State contains 12 weeks of leave for new parents who have a...

    Read More
  • Upcoming Empire Plan changes don’t apply to PEF members

    Upcoming Empire Plan changes don’t apply to PEF members

    You may have heard discussion of Empire Plan benefit changes effective July 1, 2023, and an associated special option transfer period in June 2023. These changes and option transfer period do NOT impact active PEF members since we are still in negotiations with the state.  The changes are a result of collectively bargained modifications to...

    Read More
  • Over-the-Counter (OTC) At-home COVID-19 Test Reimbursement Form

    Over-the-Counter (OTC) At-home COVID-19 Test Reimbursement Form

    This form is to request reimbursement for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 tests that may be covered under your medical plan purchased on or after January 15, 2022.

    Read More
  • COVID-19 at-home test guidance

    COVID-19 at-home test guidance

    Under direction from the federal government, all private insurance companies and health plans will cover claims for FDA-authorized COVID-19 at-home, over-the-counter diagnostic tests.  This includes all HMO plans along with The Empire Plan. 

    Read More
  • At home COVID tests covered by The Empire Plan or HMO

    At home COVID tests covered by The Empire Plan or HMO

    Effective today — Jan. 15, 2022 — members who are enrolled in The Empire Plan or HMO may obtain FDA-authorized COVID-19 at-home, over-the-counter diagnostic tests. Please click Read More for the memo from Contract Administration outlining the benefit.

    Read More
  • Dependent Care Advantage Account carryover for 2022

    Dependent Care Advantage Account carryover for 2022

    We are pleased to inform members who have a Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAA) that PEF has negotiated an agreement with the State that will allow you to use any remaining balance in your account to pay for eligible expenses incurred in 2022. Read more for the memo from PEF Contract Administration.

    Read More
  • Health Care Spending Account carryover for 2022

    Health Care Spending Account carryover for 2022

    Good news for PEF members who haven’t spent all the funds in their Health Care Savings Account this year! $550 of that account may now be rolled over into 2022. That money must be spent in 2022, but the last day to submit claims for it will be March 31, 2023. Read More for details.

    Read More
  • PEP enrollment starts today!

    PEP enrollment starts today!

    Nov. 1 marks the start of the enrollment period for the 2022 Productivity Enhancement Program (PEP).  Nov. 26 is the final day of enrollment.

    Read More
  • New Empire Plan ID cards coming in December!

    New Empire Plan ID cards coming in December!

    The Consolidated Appropriations Act requires insurers to provide new ID cards to enrollees for use as of Jan. 1, 2022.  The new ID cards will show co-pays for all services.  We have been notified that new cards for members enrolled in The Empire Plan will be mailed out in December 2021.  The Empire Plan ID...

    Read More