Empire
Quick Facts
- Voluntary for eligible staff, retirees and dependants at headquarters as well as internationally recruited eligible staff, retirees and dependants away from headquarters who plan to seek care in the US
- Covers medically necessary care at reasonable & customary (R&C) cost
- Area of coverage is worldwide
- No co-insurance for services provided by an in-network provider
- Annual deductible and coinsurance of 20% to 30% for services received from an out-of-network provider
- Teleconsultations available through “LiveHealth Online”
- Health and wellness support available through ActiveHealth
- Emergency medical assistance management through UnitedHealthcare Global Assistance and Risk
- Premium is a percentage on salary. Up to 66% of total premium is subsidized by Member States
Plan Summary
The Empire Blue Cross PPO provides worldwide coverage for hospitalization and surgical, medical, vision and prescription drug expenses. Under this plan, medically necessary treatment for a covered illness or injury may be obtained at a hospital or from a physician of one’s own choosing, whether an in-network or out-of-network provider. In addition, members of the Empire Blue Cross plan have access to ActiveHealth as part of participation in this plan. Coverage when travelling or living outside of the US is handled by Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core.
Information Material - All about Your Plan
Description of Benefits - Empire Blue Cross PPO
The below resources are official outlines of the available Empire PPO. We kindly advise you to carefully review the plan details before making a decision on which plan is best suited for your needs.
Description of Benefits - Empire Blue Cross PPO
Specific Benefits available through the Empire Blue Cross PPO
The below resources are related to additional benefits available through the Empire Blue Cross PPO, such as special programmes, telehealth, international care and the Sydney Health App.
Empire Home Delivery Programme
Care outside the US through Empire Global Core
LiveHealth Online - Telehealth Guide
ActiveHealth
Both Aetna and Empire Blue Cross offer access to ActiveHealth that provides you with various resources intended to help you take better care of yourself, including coaching and health assessments.
UnitedHealthcare Global Assistance & Risk
UnitedHealthcare Global Assistance & Risk is a facility available to Aetna and Empire Blue Cross subscribers when they are 100 or more miles away from home. UnitedHealthcare Global Assistance & Risk is a programme providing emergency medical assistance management — including coordinating emergency evacuation and repatriation — and other travel assistance services.
FAQs
What is the time limit to submit medical claims?
All claims must reach Empire Blue Cross within two years after the date on which the expenses were incurred.
How can I access care outside the US?
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Core Program gives UN participants benefits when living or traveling outside the US. More information can be found on www.bcbsglobalcore.com.
Are Assisted reproductive technologies covered under Empire Blue Cross PPO?
Assisted reproductive technologies including but not limited to In-vitro fertilization, Artificial insemination,Gamete and zygote intrafallopian tube transfer and Intracytoplasmic sperm injection are not covered under the Empire Blue Cross PPO plan.
How can I submit a claim for care rendered in the United States?
Once you have registered to the Empire member pages (www.empireblue.com/login), you can access the claim form section through this weblink: https://membersecure.empireblue.com/member/claim-form. This secure webpage will guide you through the claiming process.
How can I submit a claim for care rendered outside the United States?
Once you have registered to the Empire Global Core member pages (www.bcbsglobalcore.com), you can access the claim form section through this weblink: https://www.bcbsglobalcore.com/Claims/. This secure webspage will guide you through the claiming process.
How to contact Empire
Domestic
Call +1 855 519 9537 for support with any questions about benefits, claims or membership.
International
Call the Bluecard PPO Pogram via +1 800 810 2583 for any questions about network benefits when you’re away from home.
General information
If you are looking for additional information or specific details related to your individual plan, please login on the Empire Blue Cross PPO Member Page via https://www.empireblue.com/account-login/.
Updates
Empire Blue Cross and New York-Presbyterian reached an agreement after negotiations
Empire Blue Cross and New York - Presbyterian (NYP) reached an agreement that will maintain NYP’s physicians and hospitals in Empire’s networks. For more information, please visit the more elaborate Update Description.