Single
toll-free Empire Plan number reaches all programs
Free up a chunk of space on your refrigerator door. You
can take down all of those different phone numbers for
your various Empire Plan health programs and replace them
with one all-purpose number: 1-877-7NYSHIP
(1-877-769-7447).
Use this new Empire Plan toll-free number to reach United
HealthCare, Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield,
ValueOptions, Express Scripts and the Empire Plan
Nurseline.
When you call, you will hear, “Welcome to the Empire
Plan Information Center,” followed by the list of
programs and their services. When it reaches the program
you want you may press or say the number of that option
and be connected 24-hours-a-day.
United HealthCare and Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield
representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8
a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. After business hours and
during the weekend, certain information can be obtained
from these carriers through a voice-response system.
ValueOptions, Express Scripts and Nurseline
representatives are available 24-hours-a-day. A postcard
with stickers of the toll-free number is being mailed to
enrollees’ homes. The stickers can be affixed to the
New York Government Employee Benefit Card, also known as
the Empire Plan ID card.
If you need more stickers, ask your health benefits
administrator, who usually works in your agency personnel
office. The old individual toll-free numbers for each of
the carriers will continue to be available temporarily.
— Deborah Stayman
 GO TO HEALTH BENEFITS WEBSITE
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COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE
Inside This Issue:
Features
Ad blitz aims to save jobs,
services
Pataki eyes budget cuts
ERI savings slim pickings
for state
Bill outlaws discrimination
is now law
Leaders open PS&T
contract talks
PEF honors its Ground Zero
heroes
Departments
President's Message: Budget
balancing act
You Said It: Member's
letters this month
Health & Safety:
Smallpox vaccine concerns
Member
Mobilization:Organization is key
Nurses' Station: Lobby Day
plans for May
Health Notes: Empire Plan
number reaches all
Retirees In Action: Losing
ground financially
PEF Membership Benefits
Program & Travel Corp
Union Matters
Worker's Rights
Reg. 8 brings holiday cheer
State promises Rx for
docs’ pension-credit snafu
They got the 'write stuff':
• Furlani • Wilcox
AED training provides
statewide life support
PEF, Black Caucus plan
receptions
Apply May 1 for Jean DeBow
scholarship
PEF magazine, TV ad win big
2003 Election Rules Dates,
Rules, Requirements
Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
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