New Toll-free Empire Plan Number

The Empire Plan now has a single toll-free number to reach United HealthCare, Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield, ValueOptions, Express Scripts and Empire Plan Nurseline:

1-877-7NYSHIP or 1-877-769-7447

Callers to the toll-free number will hear "Welcome to the Empire Plan Information Center." Callers may press or say the number of the Empire Plan carrier and be connected 24 hours a day.

United HealthCare and Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. After business hours and during the weekend certain information can be obtained from these carriers through a voice response system. ValueOptions, Express Scripts and Nurseline representatives are available 24 hours a day.

A postcard with stickers of the toll-free number is being mailed to enrollees' homes. The stickers can be affixed to the New York Government Employee Benefit Card, also known as the Empire Plan ID card. Health Benefit Administrators, who are usually located in your agency Personnel office, will have additional supplies of these stickers.

The current toll-free numbers maintained by each of the carriers will continue to be available temporarily.