Page 3 - Retiree News Spring 2020

The Empire Plan Offers Telemedicine at No Cost to Enrollees
Each day, CSEA continues to address the ever-changing needs of our members during this unprecedented time. In light of the current COVID-19 outbreak in New York State, CSEA’s Joint Committee on Health Benefits has worked with New York State to offer a pilot Telemedicine Program for Empire Plan enrollees/dependents to begin immediately.
This voluntary Telemedicine Program, through LiveHealth Online, allows Empire Plan enrollees/dependents access to a live doctor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week without leaving their home (Spanish-speaking doctors are also available). Covered-in-full services are available for medical as well as mental health visits (by application of an Empire Plan specific coupon code) through Dec. 31, 2020.
New York State has sent Empire Plan enrollees a postcard regarding this new benefit. The Empire
Plan’s telemedicine program
can be accessed with various telecommunication devices, including a phone, smartphone, laptop or tablet. This telemedicine program is provided by LiveHealth Online; claims for the telemedicine visits will be processed by Empire BlueCross, The Empire Plan’s hospital carrier.
Empire Plan enrollees/
dependents who require immediate access to medical or mental
health telemedicine services can visit https://www.empireblue. com/nys/ and register through
the LiveHealth Online link. To receive paid-in-full benefits, the Empire Plan specific coupon code (listed on the Blue Cross Empire Plan website) must be added when registering for medical telemedicine services or when receiving mental health telemedicine services.
Telemedicine Medical services
Currently, Empire Plan enrollees registering for LiveHealth Online would use “Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield NY” as health plan and enter your Empire Plan identification number. The Empire Plan specific coupon code should be added
on the screen which discusses payment (result will show a $0 visit fee). After successfully registering and logging in, medical services with a live physician can be requested.
Telemedicine Mental Health services
Currently, Empire Plan enrollees registering for LiveHealth Online would use “Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield NY” as health plan and enter your Empire Plan identification
number. Telemedicine visits for mental health are longer, and more in-depth, which results in higher visit fees.
During the registration process, credit card information is required to secure an appointment. The credit card will not be charged when scheduling an appointment and will be waived at the time
of the provider visit once the coupon code is entered on the payment screen. Like face-to-
face mental health visits, the telemedicine mental health may charge a $25 cancellation fee if the scheduled appointment is missed or cancellation happens with
less than 24 hours’ notice. The Empire Plan specific coupon code should be used when logging in for the mental health telemedicine
appointment; the result is a $0 visit fee.
The current national recommendation to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 is to use telemedicine for non-emergent situations before seeking other levels of care. All telemedicine providers, including LiveHealth Online, are experiencing large call volume which can lead to longer than usual wait times.
Empire Plan enrollees are encouraged to call the Empire Plan with any questions at 1-877-769- 7447 (1-877-769-7447) and select option 2 for the Hospital Program.
CSEA will continue to monitor the success of this program with New York State and will keep Empire Plan enrollees apprised of any future developments.
for a chance to win an iPad!
• Begins April 1 - Census Day.
• Only CSEA members and retirees can enter.
• After you respond to the Census, complete the entry form at cseany.org/census.
• Seven winners randomly drawn on July 31. One from each region and one from our retiree division.
Visit https://cseany.org/census for more information and to enter to win!
The Census determines how much federal funding NY receives for health care, education, housing, transportation, and other vital services.
DiNapoli: Important information for retirees
In a recent news release, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is reminding retirees about important information about updating their beneficiaries and more during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Updating Beneficiary Information
Retirees should periodically review their beneficiary designations to make sure they are up to date. Retirement Online (https://www.osc.state.
ny.us/retire/retirement_online/ customers.php) is the fastest way to review and, if needed, update your beneficiaries.
Signing Up for Direct Deposit
Retirees are strongly urged to sign up for direct deposit instead of receiving a monthly pension check by mail. To enroll in direct deposit, visit the Office of the New York State Comptroller website at https://osc.state.ny.us and click on the link “NYSLRS Retirees.”
SPRING 2020
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Be Counted