Enrollees’ out-of-pocket costs rising slightly under Empire Plan

Enrollees in the state’s Empire Plan may experience slightly higher out-of-pocket costs starting January 1, especially if they use non-participating providers.

The annual deductible will increase from $283 in 2003 to $295 next year for the Empire Plan’s Basic Medical Program coverage of medical services performed and supplies prescribed by non-participating providers.

The maximum coinsurance you could pay for services covered by the Basic Medical Program will be $1,419. That’s up from $1,362 this year.

These changes to the deductible and coinsurance maximum are authorized in the 1999-2003 PS&T contract and are based on an increase of 4.2 percent in the medical component of the Consumer Price Index for Workers (CPI-W) for the period from July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003.

Empire Plan premium rates for 2004 will be announced in late 2003. — Lorraine Simpkins

MVP to serve three more counties in ’04

The MVP (Mohawk Valley Physicians) Health Care HMO is expanding its service area to include Cayuga, Cortland and Oswego counties in 2004.

However, the premiums MVP charges its customers for coverage may vary depending on which regional service you choose. Instead of having one set of premium contribution rates for all of its customers, MVP is dividing its service area into three regions — East Region, Central Region, and Mid-Hudson Region — with separate premium contribution rates for each region.

These are the main changes in health care options available to state PS&T employees in 2004 through the NYS Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP).

The state Joint Labor-Management Committees on Health Benefits (JLMC) reviewed proposals submitted by HMOs for inclusion or continued participation in NYSHIP and approved the continuation in 2004 of all of the HMOs currently participating.

If you are enrolled in an HMO that will be making a benefit change for the year 2004, you will be sent a side-by-side benefit comparison no later than October 31.

Premium rate information for the year 2004 is not yet available. Please be sure to review the rate flyer carefully when you receive it, because premium contributions may increase significantly. — Lorraine Simpkins

GO TO HEALTH BENEFITS WEBSITE

Site Map    What's New    Search

COMMUNICATOR HOMEPAGE

Inside This Issue
Features
Convention: wrap:
Delegates set top PEF Priorities
Resolutions focus on benefits, work...
PEF ready for many challenges ahead
Union remains financially sound...
Delegates reject constitution changes

Departments
President's Message: Delegates lead
You Said It: Member's letters this month
PS&T Contract Update: Patience, timing
Members' take on contract talks
Member Mobilization: Workshop keys
Members Highlights
Nurses' Station: Fight for public health..
Legislative Update: Gov. vetoes bills
Health Benefits: Enrollees’ costs rising
PEF Membership Benefits & Travel Corp

Union Matters
We will never forget...9-11-01
The Trustees Report '03 Convention
Financial Statements & Information
DOCS members Privatization Buster
Phipps wins 2003 DeBow scholarship
Nurses respond to blackout
Closings of VA hospitals spur action
Taking the state workforce pulse
Nominees needed for Region 4
MVP to serve 3 more counties in ’04
Convention Photo Gallery

Other Links
Professional Directory
Members' Classified
Member Communicator Feedback
Do You Prefer The Online Edition?
How To Advertise Here
PEF Pride Store
The Communicator Staff
Questions on this site? Email the comwebmaster.
Register here on the PEF Member Network.

Click Here email notice when next issue is online