Get Health Insurance Enrollment/Change Form Active NYCT NYSHIP Employees (Except SSSA, MS II, TSO/TWU

The Empire Plan is NYSHIP's unique health insurance plan designed exclusively for New York State's public employees and employers. The Empire Plan pays for covered hospital services, physicians' bills, prescription drugs and other covered medical expenses.

The Empire Plan Hospital Program, administered by Empire BlueCross, provides coverage for inpatient and outpatient services provided by a hospital or skilled nursing facility and hospice care.

Open enrollment is November 1 – January 31. Private insurance is only available during this time, unless you have a certain life-changing event.

Reporting Changes Log into your NY State of Health account at nystateofhealth.ny.gov. Meet with an enrollment assistor to receive assistance with updating your account. Call the NY State of Health Customer Service Center at 1-855-355-5777 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220).

NYSHIP is administered by the Employee Benefits Division (EBD) of the New York State Department of Civil Service (DCS), and other select staff of DCS.

Your SEHP medical coverage will be through insurance carriers under contract with NYSHIP: Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield (for hospital benefits), UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York (medical/surgical), GHI/ValueOptions (mental health and substance abuse) and CIGNA/Express Scripts (prescription drugs).

NYSHIP does not offer an open enrollment period. If you and/or your dependents are eligible for NYSHIP coverage but are not enrolled, see your General Information Book for information regarding enrollment and situations in which a late enrollment waiting period applies.

How to Enroll For Health Benefits. To enroll, you must obtain and file a Health Benefits Application at your payroll or personnel office or NYCAPS Central. The form must be filed within 30 days of your appointment date (for exceptions, see Effective Dates of Coverage section).