NYS The Empire Plan

The Option Transfer Period is open until December 29, 2023 

The New York State Department of Civil Service has finalized the Empire Plan and HMO premium rates for 2024. Empire Plan premium rates are adjusted annually based on enrollee utilization and projected costs.  

These rates are not negotiated by PEF. The union negotiates the level of benefits, and the employee/state premium percentage cost share, which did not change from 2023 to 2024. 

For PEF-represented employees in titles Salary Grade 9 and below, the state will pay 88% of the cost of premium for individual coverage and 73% for the additional cost of family coverage. For Salary Grade 10 and above, the state will pay 84% of the cost of the premium for individual coverage and 69% for the additional cost of family coverage. 

The 2024 Empire plan premium rates are indicated below: 

For SG 9 and below: 

    • The current individual coverage biweekly premium deduction is $56.01; it will be $60.07 in 2024, a 7.2% increase.  
    • The current family coverage biweekly premium deduction is $241.79; it will be $271.92 in 2024, a 12.5% change. 

For SG 10 and above: 

    • The current individual coverage biweekly premium deduction is $74.68; it will be $80.09 in 2024, a 7.2% increase.  
    • The current family coverage biweekly premium deduction is $287.98; it will be $323.33 in 2024, a 12.3% change.

Active employees can submit and make changes to their benefits online using MyNYSHIP 

Any changes must be submitted no later than December 29, 2023. You can find information on Option Transfer, such as premium rates and plan comparisons, on the Civil Service website. 

For more details, visit the PEF health benefits page here.