Page 16 - Work Force April 2026

Choose Empire Plan Network Providers
The Empire Plan is a unique health
to the appropriate Empire Plan
and speak with the specific plan
insurance plan that continues to
administrator
administrator (1 Medical Surgical
be the comprehensive health plan
Very IMPORTANT: Confirm
Program, 2 Hospital Program, 3 Mental
that gives enrollees the freedom to
network status before scheduling
Health & Substance Use Program, 4
choose whether to receive care from
any visit.
Prescription Drug Program, 5 Empire
Empire Plan network providers or
The Empire Plan does not require
Plan NurseLine).
from non-network providers.
that a participating provider refer
Below is a listing of the
Although not all health care
you to a participating laboratory,
administrators for The Empire Plan
providers participate in the Empire
radiologist, specialist or center. It is
and the program they are responsible
Plan network, Empire Plan enrollees
important to verify before receiving
for overseeing.
have access to 1.2 million physicians,
services that a provider is an Empire
United Healthcare oversees the
surgeons, anesthesiologists, mental
Plan participating provider.
medical/surgical services (such as
health specialists, physical therapists,
To get the most out of your plan,
office visits and surgery) as well as:
acupuncturists and more.
confirm with providers ahead of time
•
The Home Care Advocacy
When accessing health care for
by asking, “Are you participating and
Program (HCAP) for covered
yourself or your enrolled dependents,
in-network with the specific carrier…
home care services and
it is important to ensure that you
United Healthcare, Anthem BlueCross
durable medical equipment/
are visiting an Empire Plan network
or Carelon Behavioral Health, for The
supplies, including diabetic
provider. Participating providers save
Empire Plan?”
shoes and enteral formulas.
you and the plan money.
You can search for Empire Plan
•
The Managed Physical Network
•
Your out-of-pocket
participating network providers online
(MPN) for chiropractic
responsibility is usually limited
by visiting NYSHIP Online and use
treatment and physical
to only a copayment for
The Empire Plan Provider Directory
therapy.
services covered by network
at www.cs.ny.gov/employee-benefits,
•
Centers of Excellence Program
providers
choose your group and plan, if
for Cancer and Infertility
•
Network providers will handle
prompted, then select Find a Provider
•
Access to acupuncturists under
many administrative tasks for
or you can contact The Empire Plan
The Empire Plan
you, such as submitting claims
at 1-877-7-NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447)
Anthem BlueCross oversees The
Empire Plan’s Hospital Program
and provides coverage at hospitals
worldwide. Anthem BlueCross also
oversees the Empire Plan Center of
Excellence Program for Transplants.
Carelon Behavioral Health
oversees The Empire Plan’s Mental
Health and Substance Use Programs
and provides a nationwide network
for mental health and substance use
treatment, including alcoholism, and
the Center of Excellence Program for
Substance Use Disorders.
CVS Caremark oversees The
Empire Plan’s Prescription Drug
Program and includes a nationwide
network of participating pharmacies
and Mail Order Pharmacy.
Any questions about The Empire
Plan network benefits should be
addressed to the appropriate
administrator at The Empire Plan’s
toll-free number: 1-877-7-NYSHIP.
April 2026 17 17
The Work Force