By
LORRAINE SIMPKINSEmpire Plan enrollees take note: Time is running out for filing claims for covered medical services and items received in 2008.
March 31 is the last day to submit your 2008 claims to:
• United HealthCare for the Empire Plan Basic Medical Program, the Home Care Advocacy Program and for non-network physical medicine services;
• ValueOptions for non-network mental health and substance abuse services; and
• Medco for prescriptions filled in 2008 at non-participating pharmacies or without using your Empire Plan Benefit Card.
If the Empire Plan is your secondary insurer, you must submit claims by March 31, or within 90 days after your primary health insurance plan processes your claim, whichever is later.
If you are covered under the Empire Plan as both an enrollee and as a dependent, you may submit secondary claims to the Empire Plan for expenses not reimbursed under your primary coverage, such as copayments (including prescription drug copayments), deductibles and coinsurance amounts.
Claims submitted after the deadline will be rejected. The carriers will only reconsider their denial of these claims if you provide documentation indicating it was not reasonably possible for you to meet the deadline (for example, due to illness).
Ask your agency health benefits administrator for claim forms, or call the Empire Plan toll-free at 877-7NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447).
Alternatively, you could download the forms from the state Department of Civil Service Web site, cs.state.ny.us. Select “Benefit Programs” and follow the prompts to access NYSHIP Online. Then select “Using Your Benefits.”
Mail completed claim forms with supporting bills, receipts and, if applicable, a Medicare summary notice or statement from your other primary insurer to the appropriate Empire Plan program, either:
• United HealthCare
PO Box 1600
Kingston, NY 12402-1600;
• ValueOptions
PO Box 778
Troy, NY 12181-0778; or
• The Empire Plan Prescription
Drug Program
c/o Medco
PO Box 14711
Lexington, KY 40512.
