HEALTH NOTES

Negotiated Changes to Health Benefits

As soon as the 2011-2015 PS&T contract was ratified, the state began implementing a number of changes to the health benefits provided to PEF-represented employees enrolled in the state Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP). These changes, along with their effective dates, are indicated below:


Changes affecting members enrolled in The Empire Plan
or an HMO
Benefit 2007- 2011
PS&T Contract
2011- 2015
PS&T Contract
Employee Premium Contribution Employee’s share of the premium is 10%/25% (individual/family coverage) Effective 10/1/11, employee’s share of the premium is as follows:
SG 10 & above:16%/31%
SG 9 & below: 12%/27%
Retiree Sick Leave Credit See NYSHIP General Information Book for life expectancy table currently used to calculate credit Effective 12/1/11, NYSERS 1999 Unisex life expectancy table will be used to calculate credit
Enrollment Opt-Out Not Available Effective 1/1/12, eligible employees who opt out of NYSHIP will receive annual payment as follows:
Individual: $1,000
Family: $3,000

Changes only affecting members enrolled in The Empire Plan
Effective October 1, 2011
Benefit 2007- 2011
PS&T Contract
2011- 2015
PS&T Contract
Preventive Care Services covered under federal health care reform law Covered preventive services subject to applicable copay Covered preventive services paid in full
Non-par physician services provided in hospital ER Benefits subject to deductible and paid at 80% up to R&C charge Benefits subject to deductible and paid at 100% up to R&C charge
Prescription Drug Program Flexible Formulary (“Brand for Generic” Program) Brand name drug with generic equivalent placed on Level 3 and generic placed on Level 1 Bran name drug with generic equivalent may be placed on Level 1 with generic excluded or placed on Level 3
Effective December 1, 2011
Benefit 2007- 2011
PS&T Contract
2011- 2015
PS&T Contract
Rx Drug Program Copays  
30-day supply at retail, mail or Specialty Pharmacy Level 1-$5
Level 2-$15
Level 3-$40
Level 1-$5
Level 2-$25
Level 3-$45
31-90 day supply at Mail Service or Specialty Pharmacy Level 1-$5
Level 2-$20
Level 3-$65
Level 1-$10
Level 2-$50
Level 3-$90
31-90 day supply at Network Retail Pharmacy Level 1-$10
Level 2-$30
Level 3-$70
Level 1-$10
Level 2-$50
Level 3-$90
Effective January 1, 2012
Benefit 2007- 2011
PS&T Contract
2011- 2015
PS&T Contract
Par Provider Network Nurse Practitioners and “Minute Clinics” not included in the network Network will include Nurse Practitioners and “Minute Clinics.” No non-network coverage.
Guaranteed Access Program Not Available If no access to par PCP or “core” specialist in NYS, then enrollee receives in-network benefit
Basic Medical Deductible $388 enrollee, $388 spouse/partner, and $388 all dependent children combined Shared non-network deductible: $1,000 enrollee, $1,000 spouse/partner, and $1,000 all dependent children combined
Mental Health Deductible $388 enrollee, $388 spouse/ partner, and $388 all dependent children combined No separate deductible. Subject to shared non-network deductible
Substance Abuse Deductible $388 enrollee, $388 spouse/ partner, and $388 all dependent children combined No separate deductible. Subject to shared non-network deductible.
Basic Medical Coinsurance Maximum $1,069 enrollee, $1,069 spouse/partner, and $1,069 all dependent children combined Shared coinsurance max: $3,000 enrollee, $3,000 spouse/partner, and $3,000 all dependent children combined
Mental Health Coinsurance Maximum $1,069 enrollee, $1,069 spouse/partner, and $1,069 all dependent children combined No separate coinsurance maximum. Subject to shared coinsurance maximum
Substance Abuse Coinsurance Maximum $1,069 enrollee, $1,069 spouse/partner, and $1,069 all dependent children combined No separate coinsurance maximum. Subject to shared coinsurance maximum
Non-Network Hospital Coinsurance Maximum $1,500 enrollee, $1,500 spouse/partner, and $1,500 all dependent children combined No separate coinsurance maximum. Subject to shared coinsurance maximum

Note:Under the terms of the 2011-2015 PS&T contract, there will no longer be an annual CPI-W adjustment to the shared annual non-network deductible and coinsurance maximum. They will remain $1,000 and $3,000, respectively, for the term of the contract.

MORE HEALTH NOTES STORIES
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Federal health reform brings co-pay relief
Dispute arises over new Opt-out Program

It’s the law: Parity for mental health, substance abuse benefits

Negotiated Changes to Health Benefits

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