Posted: June 11, 2010
Important health insurance information for all CDPHP and MVP Enrollees:
Please be advised that both CDPHP and MVP insurance companies have agreed to an extension/”bridge” coverage for those students who are graduating this Spring. This would also include those dependents that would have normally aged off the insurance plan between the time period of May 1- December 31, 2010. Insurance coverage for those dependents will now remain in tact through our renewal period of January 1, 2011. On January 1, 2011, the new Health Care Legislation which allows those dependents up to the age of 26 to remain under your health insurance coverage will be implemented. More information regarding the Health Care Legislation and dependent coverage up to the age of 26 will follow in the near future.

---

Posted: June 10, 2010
Important Notice to all NYS Empire Plan Enrollees:
Please be advised that as a result of a change in The Empire Plan benefit card vendor, the Department of Civil Service is unable to issue Empire Plan benefit cards for a limited period of time. This will apply to any new or replacement benefit card requests submitted on or after May 27, 2010, and is expected to continue for several weeks. During this time period, a personalized letter will be mailed to Empire Plan enrollees/dependents for all benefit card requests and transactions. Letters will be mailed on a weekly basis beginning June 11th, 2010 and continuing for a period of two to six weeks. Enrollees who receive letters will be issued benefit cards when production resumes.

---

Posted: May 21, 2010
Empire Plan Notifications regarding Class Action Settlement between the American Medical Association and United Healthcare
Empire Plan members who received out- of- network medical services between March 15, 1994 and November 18, 2009 may receive a notice in the mail concerning a class action settlement between the American Medical Association (AMA) and United Healthcare (UHC). The nationwide settlement agreement resolves class action litigation filed on behalf of the AMA, health plan members, health care providers and state medical societies regarding issues that have been raised by the AMA concerning UHC’s reimbursement of out- of- network services. As indicated on the settlement notice, all questions related to the settlement or submission of forms should be directed to Berdon Claims Adminstration LLC. To view the notice and to obtain more information regarding the settlement, please visit their website at www.berdonclaims.com.

---

Posted: Jan. 28, 2010
******************IMPORTANT*****************************
Important Information to all CSEA Dental and Vision Enrollees:
In the next few weeks, the Civil Service Employee Benefit Fund will be issuing new Dental/Vision insurance identification cards. These cards will now be used in place of your social security number when you visit a provider or make an inquiry regarding your Dental and Vision benefits. You will be provided with two cards, which for CSEA union members will have the enrollee’s name, CSEA ID # and EBF #. Please use the new Dental/Vision insurance identification card when visiting your Dental and Vision providers. Additional information concerning the cards will be included with the new cards. Please note that all replacement cards must be issued through the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund. If you would like more information regarding the new CSEA Dental/Vision cards, please contact the CSEA Employee Benefit Fund at 1-800-323-2732.

---

Posted: Dec. 18, 2009
New health insurance rates for January 2010:
Download New Health Insurance Rates for January 2010 for Teachers, CSEA, Teaching Assistants, & Administrators.

---

Posted: Dec. 18, 2009
Message for all NYSHIP Enrollees:
NYSHIP will be sending out copies of At a Glance 2010. This booklet will detail any changes that will be effective as of January 1, 2010, such as benefit, co-payment, and/or deductible changes. You can also download your copy of At a Glance 2010 here. Click Here to Download

---

Posted: Nov. 20, 2009
New Health Insurance Comparison Sheet for Empire and HMO’s. Benefit changes are effective January 1, 2010.
Click Here to Download

---

Posted: Oct. 9, 2009
CSEA Employees:
New York State and Local Retirement System Information:

If you are nearing retirement, it is highly recommended that you take advantage of one of the 16 consultation sites offered by the NYS and Local Retirement System. Appointments are required for individual consultations at most locations. You should bring your retirement estimate and /or your most current Member Annual Statement, Photo ID (and a list of questions). To schedule an appointment, you must first contact their Call Center toll-free at 1-866-805-0990.

For more information on site locations/directions and office hours, please visit www.osc.state.ny.us

Consultation sites:
   • Albany
   • Binghamton
   • Buffalo
   • Canton
   • Hauppauge
   • Horseheads
   • Middletown
   • New York City
   • Plattsburgh
   • Pomona
   • Poughkeepsie
   • Rochester
   • Syracuse
   • Utica
   • Watertown
   • White Plains

---

Posted: Sept. 25, 2009
Important Information for Employees and Retirees
     If you have received a letter from Express Scripts in regards to our previously administered prescription drug plan through the NYS Empire Plan, please take note of the following:
     The letter you have received is a legitimate letter and you should contact the Kroll group at (866) 795-9350 Monday- Friday 8:00 am- 5:00 pm (Central Time). They will advise you on some pre-cautionary measures you can take, such as requesting a free copy of your annual credit report and reviewing it for any suspicious activity. The letter also lists other important precautions that can be taken to help safeguard your personal information.

---