Page 18 - Work Force April 2023

The EBF Celebrates National Employee Benefits Day
April 6 is National Employee Benefits Day, which is dedicated to recognizing the vital role employee benefits play in the lives of workers.
The value
of employee
benefits cannot
be overstated. For
many workers,
benefits provide
much-needed
protection and
support, including health insurance, retirement plans, disability coverage and more. These benefits not only provide financial security but
also help promote well-being, job satisfaction and productivity.
For CSEA units with Employee Benefit Fund dental, vision, or
reimbursement benefits, EBF is proud to play a role in bringing a legacy of superior benefits to CSEA members. We are committed to supporting and investing in the
well-being of CSEA members both inside and outside of the workplace.
The EBF administers negotiated benefits for New York State
employees, Unified Court System employees, and more than 600 local government CSEA units. Refer to your contract or visit cseaebf.com and use our Benefit Search Tool to find out exactly what EBF benefits you have.
How can you celebrate National Employee Benefits Day every day?
1. Recognize the importance and value of employee benefits: Take a moment to reflect on the significance of your benefits and how they positively impact your life.
2. Engage with your CSEA leadership and negotiating team members: Reach out and express your gratitude for the work they do fighting for and protecting your valuable benefits. Celebrate together the benefits you all receive.
3. Organize or attend a benefits fair, CSEA information day, or membership meeting. Invite vendors, including from EBF, CSEA Member Benefits, Pearl Insurance and other CSEA endorsed organizations. Give the vendors time to speak to the members and answer questions about the benefits they offer. We
are all dedicated to promoting awareness of and appreciation for employee benefits.
Meet your region EBF representatives by visiting cseaebf.com, selecting “I am
a Member,” then selecting “Benefits Specialists” at the bottom of the drop down menu.
4. Promote healthy habits. Use this day to start practicing healthy habits such as exercising,
eating a nutritious meal, taking
a mental health break, or scheduling those dental and vision appointments.
5. Share your experience. Share your own stories about how your employee benefits have helped you and encourage your colleagues to do the same. Use #NationalEmployeeBenefitsDay and #cseaemployeebenefitfund to share on social media.
National Employee Benefits Day is a reminder of the important role that benefits play in the lives of workers. Employee benefits like the dental, vision, and reimbursement benefits the EBF offers help keep members healthy and save them money. That is something we can all celebrate!
Empire Plan claims deadline approaches for calendar year 2022
Empire Plan enrollees have until April 30, 2023 (120 days after the end of the calendar year) to submit medical expenses incurred during the 2022 plan year.
Network providers/pharmacies will submit claims directly to the appropriate insurance carrier on your behalf when provided with all necessary information.
If you have a non-network
claim submission, make sure you complete the requested subscriber information on the appropriate claim form, include the original billing
or receipt (if requested), sign and return the claim form.
Claim submission for Empire Plan Basic Medical Program, the Home
Care Advocacy Program (HCAP) and for non-network physical therapy or chiropractic services:
United Healthcare
P.O. Box 1600
Kingston, NY 12402-1600
Fax (845) 336-7716
Claim form: https://www.cs.ny.gov/ forms/UHC_3875.pdf
Online submissions: https://nyrmo. optummessenger.com/public/ opensubmit
Claim submission for Empire Plan non-network inpatient or outpatient hospital services:
Empire Blue Cross NYS Service Center
P.O. Box 1407, Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008-1407
Claims submission fax: 866-829-2395 Online form: https://www. empireblue.com/nys/resources- forms
Claim submission for Empire Plan non-network mental health and substance use services:
Carelon Behavioral Health (formerly Beacon Health Options) P.O. Box 1850
Hicksville, NY 11802
Claims submission fax: 855-378- 8309 Claim form: https://www.cs.ny.gov/ forms/cms1500-MHSA.pdf
Website: www.achievesolutions.net/ empireplan
Claim submission for Empire Plan prescriptions filled at non-participating pharmacies or at participating pharmacies without using your New York Government Employee Benefit Card use:
CVS Caremark
P.O. Box 52136
Phoenix, AZ 85072-2136
Claim form: https://www.cs.ny. gov/forms/CVSCM_Claim-Form_ commercial.pdf
Call the Empire Plan toll-free at 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) with any questions about claims.
18 The Work Force
April 2023