Coverage under this plan qualifies as minimum essential coverage.  Please visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website at www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision for more information on the individual requirement for MEC.

Our health coverage meets the minimum value standard of 60% established by the ACA. This means that we provide benefits to cover at least 60% of the total allowed costs of essential health benefits. The 60% standard is an actuarial value; your specific out-of-pocket costs are determined as explained in this brochure.

See www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare for enrollment information as well as:

• Information on the FEHB Program and plans available to you
• A health plan comparison tool
• A list of agencies that participate in Employee Express
• A link to Employee Express
• Information on and links to other electronic enrollment systems

Also, your employing or retirement office can answer your questions and give you brochures for other plans and other materials you need to make an informed decision about your FEHB coverage. These materials tell you:

• When you may change your enrollment;
• How you can cover your family members;
• What happens when you transfer to another Federal agency, go on leave without pay, enter military service, or retire;
• When your enrollment ends; and
• When the next Open Season for enrollment begins.

We do not determine who is eligible for coverage and, in most cases, cannot change your enrollment status without information from your employing or retirement office. For information on your premium deductions, you must also contact your employing or retirement office.

Once enrolled in your FEHB Program Plan, you should contact your carrier directly for address updates and questions about your benefit coverage.

Self Only coverage is only for you the enrollee. Self Plus One coverage is for the enrollee and one eligible family member.  Self and Family coverage is for you the enrollee and one or more eligible family members.  Family members include your spouse, and your dependent children under age 26, including any foster children authorized for coverage by your employing agency or retirement office. Under certain circumstances, you may also continue coverage for a disabled child 26 years of age or older who is incapable of self-support.

If you have a Self Only enrollment, you may change to a Self Plus One or Self and Family enrollment if you marry, give birth, or add a child to your family. You may change your enrollment 31 days before to 60 days after that event. 

The Self Plus One or Self and Family enrollment begins on the first day of the pay period in which the child is born or becomes an eligible family member. When you change to Self Plus One or Self and Family because you marry, the change is effective on the first day of the pay period that begins after your employing office receives your enrollment form. Benefits will not be available to your spouse until you are married.  A carrier may request that an enrollee verify the eligibility of any or all family members listed as covered under the enrollee's FEHB enrollment.

Contact your carrier to obtain a Certificate of Creditable Coverage (COCC) or to add a dependent when there is already family Coverage.

Contact your employing or retirement office if you are changing from Self to Self Plus One or Self and Family or to add a newborn if you currently have a Self Only plan.

Your employing or retirement office will not notify you when a family member is no longer eligible to receive benefits, nor will we. Please tell us immediately of changes in family member status, including your marriage, divorce, annulment, or when your child reaches age 26.

If you or one of your family members is enrolled in one FEHB plan, you or they cannot be enrolled in or covered as a family member by another enrollee in another FEHB plan.

If you have a qualifying life event (QLE) - such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child - outside of the Federal Benefits Open Season, you may be eligible to enroll in the FEHB Program, change your enrollment, or cancel coverage.  For a complete list of QLEs, visit the FEHB website at www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance//lifeevents.  If you need assistance, please contact your employing agency, Tribal Benefits Officer, personnel/payroll office, or retirement office.

Family members covered under your Self and Family enrollment are your spouse (including your spouse by valid common-law marriage if you reside in a state that recognizes common-law marriages) and children as described below. A Self Plus One enrollment covers you and your spouse, or one other eligible family member as described below.

Natural children, adopted children, and stepchildren
Coverage: Natural children, adopted children, and stepchildren are covered until their 26th birthday.

Foster children
Coverage: Foster children are eligible for coverage until their 26th birthday if you provide documentation of your regular and substantial support of the child and sign a certification stating that your foster child meets all the requirements. Contact your human resources office or retirement system for additional information.

Children incapable of self-support
Coverage: Children who are incapable of self-support because of a mental or physical disability that began before age 26 are eligible to continue coverage. Contact your human resources office or retirement system for additional information.

Married children
Coverage: Married children (but NOT their spouse or their own children) are covered until their 26th birthday.

Children with or eligible for employer-provided health insurance
Coverage: Children who are eligible for or have their own employer-provided health insurance are covered until their 26th birthday.

Newborns of covered children are insured only for routine nursery care during the covered portion of the mother's maternity stay.

You can find additional information at www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance.

Office of Personnel Management has implemented the Federal Employees Health Benefits Children’s Equity Act of 2000. This law mandates that you be enrolled for Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage in the FEHB Program; if you are an employee subject to a court or administrative order requiring you to provide health benefits for your child(ren).

If this law applies to you, you must enroll in Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage in a health plan that provides full benefits in the area where your children live or provide documentation to your employing office that you have obtained other health benefits coverage for your children. If you do not do so, your employing office will enroll you involuntarily as follows:

• If you have no FEHB coverage, your employing office will enroll you for Self Plus One or Self and Family coverage, as appropriate, in the lowest-cost nationwide plan option as determined by OPM.
• If you have a Self Only enrollment in a fee-for-service plan or in an HMO that serves the area where your children live, your employing office will change your enrollment to Self Plus One or Self and Family, as appropriate, in the same option of the same plan; or
• If you are enrolled in an HMO that does not serve the area where the children live, your employing office will change your enrollment to Self Plus One or Self and Family, as appropriate, in the lowest-cost nationwide plan option as determined by OPM.

As long as the court/administrative order is in effect, and you have at least one child identified in the order who is still eligible under the FEHB Program, you cannot cancel your enrollment, change to Self Only, or change to a plan that does not serve the area in which your children live, unless you provide documentation that you have other coverage for the children.

If the court/administrative order is still in effect when you retire, and you have at least one child still eligible for FEHB coverage, you must continue your FEHB coverage into retirement (if eligible) and cannot cancel your coverage, change to Self Only, or change to a plan that does not serve the area in which your children live as long as the court/administrative order is in effect.   Similarly, you cannot change to Self Plus One if the court/administrative order identifies more than one child.  Contact your employing office for further information.

The benefits in this brochure are effective January 1.  If you joined this Plan during Open Season, your coverage begins on the first day of your first pay period that starts on or after January 1.  If you changed plans or plan options during Open Season and you receive care between January 1 and the effective date of coverage under your new plan or option, your claims will be processed according to the 2022 benefits of your prior plan or option.  If you have met (or pay cost-sharing that results in your meeting) the out-of-pocket maximum under the prior plan or option, you will not pay cost-sharing for services covered between January 1 and the effective date of coverage under your new plan or option.  However, if your prior plan left the FEHB Program at the end of the year, you are covered under that plan’s 2021 benefits until the effective date of your coverage with your new plan.  Annuitants’ coverage and premiums begin on January 1.  If you joined at any other time during the year, your employing office will tell you the effective date of coverage.

If your enrollment continues after you are no longer eligible for coverage, (i.e. you have separated from Federal service) and premiums are not paid, you will be responsible for all benefits paid during the period in which premiums were not paid.  You may be billed for services received directly from your provider.  You may be prosecuted for fraud for knowingly using health insurance benefits for which you have not paid premiums.  It is your responsibility to know when you or a family member are no longer eligible to use your health insurance coverage.

You will receive an additional 31 days of coverage, for no additional premium, when:

• Your enrollment ends, unless you cancel your enrollment, or
• You are a family member no longer eligible for coverage.

Any person covered under the 31 day extension of coverage who is confined in a hospital or other institution for care or treatment on the 31^st day of the temporary extension is entitled to continuation of the benefits of the Plan during the continuance of the confinement but not beyond the 60^th day after the end of the 31 day temporary extension.

You may be eligible for spouse equity coverage or Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC).

If you are divorced from a Federal employee or annuitant, you may not continue to get benefits under your former spouse’s enrollment. This is the case even when the court has ordered your former spouse to provide health coverage to you. However, you may be eligible for your own FEHB coverage under either the spouse equity law or Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC). If you are recently divorced or are anticipating a divorce, contact your ex-spouse’s employing or retirement office to get additional information about your coverage choices. You can also visit OPM’s website at www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/guides.  A carrier may request that an enrollee verify the eligibility of any or all family members listed as covered under the enrollee's FEHB enrollment.

If you leave Federal service, Tribal employment or if you lose coverage because you no longer qualify as a family member, you may be eligible for Temporary Continuation of Coverage (TCC).  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) did not eliminate TCC or change the TCC rules.  For example, you can receive TCC if you are not able to continue your FEHB enrollment after you retire, if you lose your Federal or Tribal job, if you are a covered dependent child and you turn age 26, etc.

You may not elect TCC if you are fired from your Federal or Tribal job due to gross misconduct.

Enrolling in TCC. Get the RI 79-27, which describes TCC, from your employing or retirement office or from www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance. It explains what you have to do to enroll.

Alternatively, you can buy coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace where, depending on your income, you could be eligible for a new kind of tax credit that lowers your monthly premiums. Visit www.HealthCare.gov to compare plans and see what your premium, deductible, and out-of-pocket costs would be before you make a decision to enroll. Finally, if you qualify for coverage under another group health plan (such as your spouse’s plan), you may be able to enroll in that plan, as long as you apply within 30 days of losing FEHB Program coverage.

We will provide you with assistance in finding a non-group contract available inside or outside the Marketplace if:

• Your coverage under TCC or the spouse equity law ends (If you canceled your coverage or did not pay your premium, you cannot convert);
• You decide not to receive coverage under TCC or the spouse equity law; or
• You are not eligible for coverage under TCC or the spouse equity law.

If you leave Federal or Tribal service, your employing office will notify you of your right to convert. You must contact us in writing within 31 days after you receive this notice. However, if you are a family member who is losing coverage, the employing or retirement office will not notify you. You must contact us in writing within 31 days after you are no longer eligible for coverage.

 Your benefits and rates will differ from those under the FEHB Program; however, you will not have to answer questions about your health, waiting period will not be imposed, and your coverage will not be limited due to pre-existing conditions. When you contact us we will assist you in obtaining information about health benefits coverage inside or outside the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Marketplace in your state. For assistance in finding coverage, please contact us at 1-800-624-2414 or visit our website at www.emblemhealth.com.

If you would like to purchase health insurance through the ACA's Health Insurance Marketplace, please visit www.HealthCare.gov. This is a website provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that provides up-to-date information on the Marketplace

We will send you an identification (ID) card when you enroll. You should carry your ID card with you at all times. Your member ID card will indicate the provider network that is applicable to your coverage. You must show it whenever you receive services from a Plan provider, or fill a prescription at a Plan pharmacy. Until you receive your ID card, use your copy of the Health Benefits Election Form, SF-2809, your health benefits enrollment confirmation (for annuitants), or your electronic enrollment system (such as Employee Express) confirmation letter.

If you do not receive your ID card within 30 days after the effective date of your enrollment, or if you need replacement cards, contact us at (877) 842-3625 or EmblemHealth 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041. You may also request replacement cards through the EmblemHealth website: www.emblemhealth.com/federal

You get care from “Plan providers” and “Plan facilities.” Network providers file claims for you and we reimburse them directly for covered services. You will only pay copayments, deductibles, and/or coinsurance, and you will not have to file claims. Under the Standard Option coverage, we will not provide benefits for services that you receive from non-network providers.

FEHB Carriers must have clauses in their in-network (participating) providers agreements.  These clauses provide that, for a service that is a covered benefit in the plan brochure or for services determined not medically necessary, the in-network provider agrees to hold the covered individual harmless (and may not bill) for the difference between the billed charge and the in network contracted amount.  If an in-network provider bills you for covered services over your normal cost share (deductible, copay, co-insurance) contact your Carrier to enforce the terms of its provider contract.

Plan providers are physicians and other healthcare professionals in our service area that we contract with to provide covered services to our members. We credential Plan providers according to national standards.

Your ID card will indicate the EmblemHealth network for your coverage. We list Plan providers in the provider directory, which we update periodically. The list is also on our website. We recommend that you confirm that the provider is a participating network provider prior to seeking services or upon scheduling an appointment.

This plan recognizes that transsexual, transgender, and gender-nonconforming members require health care delivered by healthcare providers experienced in transgender health. While gender reassignment surgeons (benefit details found in Section 5(b)) and hormone therapy providers (benefit details found in Section 5(f)) play important roles in preventive care, you should see a primary care provider familiar with your overall health care needs. Benefits described in this brochure are available to all members meeting medical necessity guidelines. 

Plan facilities are hospitals and other facilities in our service area that we contract with to provide covered services to our members. Your ID card will indicate the EmblemHealth network for your coverage. We list Plan facilities in the provider directory, which we update periodically. The list is also on our website. We recommend that you confirm that the plan facility is a participating network provider prior to seeking services or upon scheduling an appointment.

We provide benefits for the services of covered professional providers, as required by Section 2706(a) of the Public Health Service Act. Coverage of practitioners is not determined by your state’s designation as a medically underserved area.

Covered professional providers are medical practitioners who perform covered services when acting within the scope of their license or certification under applicable state law and who furnish, bill, or are paid for their health care services in the normal course of business. Covered services must be provided in the state in which the practitioner is licensed or certified.

Under the Plan, you are free to choose any participating provider within your Plan’s EPO network. We strongly encourage you to select a doctor within the Emblemhealth network who will provide your care.

You may see the specialist whenever you and your family feel you need care.  You do not need a referral to see a specialist.

Here are other things you should know about specialty care:

• If you have a chronic or disabling condition and lose access to your specialist because we:
  • terminate our contract with your specialist for other than cause; or
  • drop out of the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program and you enroll in another FEHB plan; or
  • reduce our service area and you enroll in another FEHB plan

You may be able to continue seeing your specialist for up to 90 days after you receive notice of the change. Contact us or, if we drop out of the Program, contact your new plan.

If you are in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and you lose access to your specialist based on the above circumstances, you can continue to see your specialist until the end of your postpartum care, even if it is beyond the 90 days

We pay for covered services from the effective date of your enrollment. However, if you are in the hospital when your enrollment in our Plan begins, call our customer service department immediately at (877) 842-3625. If you are new to the FEHB Program, we will arrange for you to receive care and provide benefits for your covered services while you are in the hospital beginning on the effective date of your coverage.

If you changed from another FEHB plan to us, your former plan will pay for the hospital stay until:

• You are discharged, not merely moved to an alternative care center; or
• The day your benefits from your former plan run out; or
• The 92^nd day after you become a member of this Plan, whichever happens first.

These provisions apply only to the benefits of the hospitalized person. If your plan terminates participation in the FEHB Program in whole or in part, or if OPM orders an enrollment change, this continuation of coverage provision does not apply. In such cases, the hospitalized family member’s benefits under the new plan begin on the effective date of enrollment.

Pre-certification is the process by which - prior to your inpatient hospital admission - we evaluate the medical necessity of your proposed stay and the number of days required to treat your condition. We perform pre-admission review for all non- emergency hospitalizations and must be notified of emergency hospital admissions within a specified time frame. EmblemHealth’s Coordinated Care Department will review the proposed hospital confinement to determine the length of stay in addition to confirming the medical necessity of hospitalization.

Your physician must obtain precertification for the following services:

• Skilled Nursing Facility
• All elective or non-emergency hospital admissions

You do not need precertification in the following situations:

• You have another group health insurance policy that is the primary payer for the hospital stay.
• Your Medicare Part A is the primary payor for the hospital stay. Note: If you exhaust your Medicare hospital benefits and do not want to use your Medicare lifetime reserve days, then we will become the primary payer and you do need precertification.

Warning: If no one contacts us for precertification and we determine that the hospital admission is not medically necessary, we will only pay for covered medical services and supplies that are otherwise payable on an outpatient basis. 

For certain services, you or your physician must obtain prior approval from us. Before giving approval, we consider if the service is covered, is medically necessary, and follows generally accepted medical practice. If your physician does not contact us, we will not pay for the services.  You or your physician must also obtain prior approval for the following services:

• Organ/tissue transplants
• High-tech radiology
• High-tech nursing
• Infusion therapy
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse
• Chemotherapy and Radiation
• Bariatric Surgery
• Growth Hormone Therapy
• Gender Reassignment Surgery (GRS)
• Infertility Services

When you use a network provider for covered services, the network provider will initiate the precertification or prior approval process on your behalf. You, a family member, or your physician must contact EmblemHealth’s Coordinated Care Program at (800) 223-9870 for precertification of the hospital admission:

• At least ten (10) days prior to the date of admission of elective procedures, or as soon as reasonably possible;
• Within two (2) business days of an emergency admission, or as soon as reasonably possible.

For non-urgent care claims, we will tell the physician and/or hospital the number of approved inpatient days, or the care that we approve for other services that must have prior authorization.  We will make our decision within 15 days of receipt of the pre-service claim.  If matters beyond our control require an extension of time, we may take up to an additional 15 days for review and we will notify you of the need for an extension of time before the end of the original 15-day period.  Our notice will include the circumstances underlying the request for the extension and the date when a decision is expected.

If we need an extension because we have not received necessary information from you, our notice will describe the specific information required and we will allow you up to 60 days from the receipt of the notice to provide the information.

If you have an urgent care claim (i.e., when waiting for the regular time limit for your medical care or treatment could seriously jeopardize your life, health, or ability to regain maximum function, or in the opinion of a physician with knowledge of your medical condition, would subject you to severe pain that cannot be adequately managed without this care or treatment), we will expedite our review and notify you of our decision within 72 hours. If you request that we review your claim as an urgent care claim, we will review the documentation you provide and decide whether or not it is an urgent care claim by applying the judgement of a prudent layperson that possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine.

If you fail to provide sufficient information, we will contact you within 24 hours after we receive the claim to let you know what information we need to complete our review of the claim. You will then have up to 48 hours to provide the required information. We will make our decision on the claim within 48 hours of (1) the time we received the additional information or (2) the end of the time frame, whichever is earlier.

We may provide our decision orally within these time frames, but we will follow up with written or electronic notification within three days of oral notification.

You may request that your urgent care claim on appeal be reviewed simultaneously by us and OPM. Please let us know that you would like a simultaneous review of your urgent care claim by OPM either in writing at the time you appeal our initial decision, or by calling us at (877) 842-3625. You may also call FEHB 2 at (202) 606-3818 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time to ask for the simultaneous review. We will cooperate with OPM so they can quickly review your claim on appeal. In addition, if you did not indicate that your claim was a claim for urgent care, then call us at (877) 842-3625. If it is determined that your claim is an urgent care claim, we will expedite our review (if we have not yet responded to your claim.)

A concurrent care claim involves care provided over a period of time or over a number of treatments.  We will treat any reduction or termination of our pre-approved course of treatment before the end of the approved period of time or number of treatments as an appealable decision. This does not include reduction or termination due to benefit changes or if your enrollment ends.  If we believe a reduction or termination is warranted, we will allow you sufficient time to appeal and obtain a decision from us before the reduction or termination takes effect. 

If you request an extension of an ongoing course of treatment at least 24 hours prior to the expiration of the approved time period and this is also an urgent care claim, we will make a decision within 24 hours after we receive the claim.

HealthCare FSA (HCFSA) – Reimburses you for eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses (such as copayments, deductibles, physician prescribed over-the-counter drugs and medications, vision and dental expenses, and much more) for you and your tax dependents, including adult children (through the end of the calendar year in which they turn 26).

FSAFEDS offers paperless reimbursement for your HCFSA through a number of FEHB and FEDVIP plans.  This means that when you or your provider files claims with your FEHB or FEDVIP plan, FSAFEDS will automatically reimburse your eligible out-of-pocket expenses based on the claim information it receives from your plan.

You do not need pre-certification of a maternity admission for a routine delivery.  However, if your medical condition requires you to stay more than 48 hours after a vaginal delivery or 96 hours after a cesarean section, then your physician or the hospital must contact us for pre-certification of additional days.  Further, if your baby stays after you are discharged, then your physician or the hospital must contact us for pre-certification of additional days.  

Note:  When a newborn requires definitive treatment during or after the mother's confinement, the newborn is considered a patient in his or her own right.  If the newborn is eligible for coverage, regular medical or surgical benefits apply rather than maternity benefits. 

If your physician requests an extension of an ongoing course of treatment at lease 24 hours prior to the expiration of the approved time period and this is also an urgent care claim, we will make a decision within 24 hours after we receive the claim. 

If you have a pre-service claim and you do not agree with our decision regarding precertification of an inpatient admission or prior approval of other services, you may request a review in accord with the procedures detailed below.

If you have already received the service, supply, or treatment, then you have a post-service claim and must follow the entire disputed claims process detailed in Section 8.

Within 6 months of our initial decision, you may ask us in writing to reconsider our initial decision.  Follow Step 1 of the disputed claims process detailed in Section 8 of this brochure. 

In the case of a pre-service claim and subject to a request for additional information, we have 30 days from the date we receive your written request for reconsideration to

1. Precertify your hospital stay, or, if applicable, arrange for the healthcare provider to give you the care or grant your request for prior approval for a service, drug, or supply; or
2. Ask you or your provider for more information. You or your provider must send the information so that we receive it within 60 days of our request.  We will then decide within 30 more days. If we do not receive the information within 60 days, we will decide within 30 days of the date the information was due.  We will base our decision on the information we already have.  We will write to you with our decision.
3. Write to you and maintain our denial.

In the case of an appeal of a pre-service urgent care claim, within 6 months of our initial decision, you may ask us in writing to reconsider our initial decision.  Follow Step 1 of the disputed claims process detailed in Section 8 of this brochure. 

Unless we request additional information, we will notify you of our decision within 72 hours after receipt of your reconsideration request.  We will expedite the review process, which allows oral or written requests for appeals and the exchange of information by telephone, electronic mail, facsimile, or other expeditions methods. 

A copayment is a fixed amount of money you pay to the network provider, facility, pharmacy, etc. when you receive certain covered services.

Example: When you see your primary care physician you pay a copayment of $50 per office visit, and $10 per office visit for dependent children to age 26, under the Standard Option. 

A deductible is a fixed amount of covered expenses you must incur for certain covered services and supplies before we start paying benefits for them.  

Under the Standard Option the calendar year deductible for certain services is:.

• For orthopedic and prosthetic devices, oxygen and other covered durable medical equipment you pay $100 calendar year deductible per individual.

There are no other calendar year deductibles under Standard Option.

Note: If you change plans during open enrollment season and the effective date of the new plan is after January 1 of the next year, you do not have to start a new deductible under your prior plan between January 1 and the effective date of your new plan. If you change plans at another time during the year, you must begin a new deductible under your new plan.If you change options in this Plan during the year, we will credit the amount of covered expenses already applied toward the deductible of your old option to the deductible of your new option.

Coinsurance is the percentage of our allowance that you must pay for your care. Coinsurance does not begin until you have met your calendar year deductible.

Example: Under Standard Option, under Durable Medical Equipment, after the applicable deductible is met you pay 20% of the Plan’s fee schedule for a participating provider.

You should also see section Important Notice About Surprise Billing – Know Your Rights below that describes your protections against surprise billing under the No Surprises Act.

Standard Option:  After your (copayments deductibles and coinsurance) total $8,150 for Self Only or $16,300 for Self Plus One, or $16,300 per Self and Family enrollment in any calendar year, you do not have to pay any more for covered services. 

Be sure to keep accurate records of your copayments since you are responsible for informing us when you reach the maximum

If you changed to this Plan during Open Season from a plan with a catastrophic protection benefit and the effective date of the change was after January 1, any expenses that would have applied to that plan’s catastrophic protection benefit during the prior year will be covered by your prior plan if they are for care you received in January before your effective date of coverage in this Plan. If you have already met your prior plan’s catastrophic protection benefit level in full, it will continue to apply until the effective date of your coverage in this Plan. If you have not met this expense level in full, your old plan will first apply your covered out-of-pocket expenses until the prior year’s catastrophic level is reached and then apply the catastrophic protection benefit to covered out-of-pocket expenses incurred from that point until the effective date of your coverage in this Plan. Your prior plan will pay these covered expenses according to this year’s benefits; benefit changes are effective January 1.

We will make diligent efforts to recover benefit payments we made in error but in good faith.  We may reduce subsequent benefit payments to offset overpayments.

Facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense and the Indian Health Services are entitled to seek reimbursement from us for certain services and supplies they provide to you or a family member.  They may not seek more than their governing laws allow.  You may be responsible to pay for certain services and charges.  Contact the government facility directly for more information.

The No Surprises Act (NSA) is a federal law that provides you with protections against “surprise billing” and “balance billing” under certain circumstances. A surprise bill is an unexpected bill you receive from a nonparticipating health care provider, facility, or air ambulance service for healthcare. Surprise bills can happen when you receive emergency care – when you have little or no say in the facility or provider from whom you receive care. They can also happen when you receive non-emergency services at participating facilities, but you receive some care from nonparticipating providers.

Balance billing happens when you receive a bill from the nonparticipating provider, facility, or air ambulance service for the difference between the nonparticipating provider's charge and the amount payable by your health plan.

Your health plan must comply with the NSA protections that hold you harmless from unexpected bills. 

In addition, your health plan adopts and complies with the surprise billing laws of New York State.

For specific information on surprise billing, the rights and protections you have, and your responsibilities go to www.emblemhealth.com or contact the health plan at 877-842-3625

Under the flexible benefits option, we determine the most effective way to provide services.

• We may identify medically appropriate alternatives to regular contract benefits as a less costly alternative 
• Alternative benefits are subject to our ongoing review.
• By approving an alternative benefit, we do not guarantee you will get it in the future.
• The decision to offer an alternative benefit is solely ours, and we may withdraw it at any time and resume regular contract benefits.
• Our decision to offer or withdraw alternative benefits is not subject to OPM review under the disputed claims process. However, if at the time we make a decision regarding alternative benefits, we also decide that regular contract benefits are not payable, than you may dispute our regular contract benefits decision under the OPM disputed claim process (see section 8).

For information and assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, access our automated telephone AnswerLine at 1-877-842-3625.

We have a special network of hospitals that perform a broad range of cardiac care and organ transplants.  These centers are recognized leaders in their respective specialties and their services are available to you at no out-of-pocket expense.  Call EmblemHealth Managed Care at least 10 days before the hospital admission to pre-certify coverage and for details on how to use this program.

To obtain claim forms, claims filing advice or answers about our benefits, contact us at 877-842-3625, or at our website at www.emblemhealth.com

In most cases, providers and facilities file claims for you.  Your provider must file on the form CMS-1500, Health Insurance Claim Form.  Your facility will file on the UB-04 form.

When you must file a claim – such as for services you received overseas or when another group health plan is primary – submit it on the CMS-1500 or a claim form that includes the information shown below.  Bills and receipts should be itemized and show:

• Patient’s name, date of birth, address, phone number and relationship to enrollee
• Patient’s Plan identification number
• Name and address of person or company providing the service or supply
• Dates that services or supplies were furnished
• Diagnosis
• Type of each service or supply
• Charge for each service or supply

Note: Canceled checks, cash register receipts, or balance due statements are not acceptable substitutes for itemized bills.

In addition:

• If another health plan is your primary payor, you must send a copy of the explanation of benefits (EOB) form you received from your primary payor (such as the MedicareSummary Notice (MSN)) with your claim.
• Bills for home nursing caremust show that the nurse is a registered or licensed practical nurse.
• If your claim is for the rental or purchase of durable medical equipment; private duty nursing; and physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy, you must provide awritten statement from the provider specifying the medical necessity for the service or supply and the length of time needed.
• Claims for prescription drugsand supplies must include receipts that show the prescription number, name of drug or supply, prescribing provider name, date, and charge.

We will provide translation and currency conversion services for claims for overseas (foreign) services.

We will notify you of our decision within 30 days after we receive your post-service claim.  If matters beyond our control require an extension of time, we may take up to an additional 15 days for review and we will notify you before the expiration of the original 30-day period.  Our notice will include the circumstances underlying the request for the extension and the date when a decision is expected.

If we need an extension because we have not received necessary information from you, our notice will describe the specific information required and we will allow you up to 60 days from the receipt of the notice to provide the information.

If you do not agree with our initial decision, you may ask us to review it by following the disputed claims process detailed in Section 8 of this brochure.

Keep a separate record of the medical expenses of each covered family member as deductibles and maximum allowances apply separately to each person.  Save copies of all medical bills, including those you accumulate to satisfy a deductible.  In most instances they will serve as evidence of your claim.  We will not provide duplicate or year-end statements.

For covered services you receive by providers and hospitals outside the United States and Puerto Rico, send a completed HCFA 1500 Claim Form and the itemized bills to: EmblemHealth PO Box 3000 New York, NY 10116-3000.  Obtain Claim Forms from: www.emblemhealth.com.  If you have questions about the processing of overseas claims, contact 877-842-3625.

Please reply promptly when we ask for additional information.  We may delay processing or deny benefits for your claim if you do not respond.  Our deadline for responding to your claim is stayed while we await all of the additional information needed to process your claim.

You may designate an authorized representative to act on your behalf for filing a claim or to appeal claims decisions to us.  For urgent care claims, a healthcare professional with knowledge of your medical condition will be permitted to act as your authorized representative without your express consent.  For the purposes of this section, we are also referring to your authorized representative when we refer to you.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services has identified counties where at least 10 percent of the population is literate only in certain non-English languages.  The non-English languages meeting this threshold in certain counties are Spanish, Chinese, Navajo and Tagalog.  If you live in one of these counties, we will provide language assistance in the applicable non-English language.  You can request a copy of your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement, related correspondence, oral language services (such as telephone customer assistance), and help with filing claims and appeals (including external reviews) in the applicable non-English language.  The English versions of your EOBs and related correspondence will include information in the non-English language about how to access language services in that non-English language.

Any notice of an adverse benefit determination or correspondence from us confirming an adverse benefit determination will include information sufficient to identify the claim involved (including the date of service, the healthcare provider, and the claim amount, if applicable), and a statement describing the availability, upon request, of the diagnosis and procedure codes and its corresponding meaning, and the treatment code and its corresponding meaning).

Ask us in writing to reconsider our initial decision. You must:

a) Write to us within 6 months from the date of our decision; and

b) Send your request to us at: EmblemHealth Customer Service Department, 55 Water St. , New York, NY 10041; and

c) Include a statement about why you believe our initial decision was wrong, based on specific benefit provisions in this brochure; and

d) Include copies of documents that support your claim, such as physicians' letters, operative reports, bills, medical records, and explanation of benefits (EOB) forms.

e) Include your email address (optional for members), if you would like to receive our decision via email. Please note that by giving us your email, we may be able to provide our decision more quickly.

We will provide you, free of charge and in a timely manner, with any new or additional evidence considered, relied upon, or generated by us or at our direction in connection with your claim and any new rationale for our claim decision. We will provide you with this information sufficiently in advance of the date that we are required to provide you with our reconsideration decision to allow you a reasonable opportunity to respond to us before that date. However, our failure to provide you with new evidence or rationale in sufficient time to allow you to timely respond shall not invalidate our decision or reconsideration. You  may respond to that new evidence or rationale at the OPM review stage described in step 4.

In the case of a post-service claim, we have 30 days from the date we receive your request to:

a) Pay the claim or

b) Write to you and maintain our denial or

c) Ask you or your provider for more information.

You or your provider must send the information so that we receive it within 60 days of our request. We will then decide within 30 more days.

If we do not receive the information within 60 days we will decide within 30 days of the date the information was due. We will base our decision on the information we already have. We will write to you with our decision.

If you do not agree with our decision, you may ask OPM to review it.

You must write to OPM within:

• 90 days after the date of our letter upholding our initial decision; or
• 120 days after you first wrote to us -- if we did not answer that request in some way within 30 days; or
• 120 days after we asked for additional information.

Write to OPM at: United States Office of Personnel Management, Insurance Operations, FEHB 2, 1900 E Street, NW,  Washington, D.C., 20415-3620.

Send OPM the following information:

• A statement about why you believe our decision was wrong, based on specific benefit provisions in this brochure;
• Copies of documents that support your claim, such as physicians' letters, operative reports, bills, medical records, and explanation of benefits (EOB) forms;
• Copies of all letters you sent to us about the claim;
• Copies of all letters we sent to you about the claim;
• Your daytime phone number and the best time to call; and
• Your email address, if you would like to receive OPM's decision via email.  Please note that by providing your email address, you may receive OPM's decision more quickly.

Note: If you want OPM to review more than one claim, you must clearly identify which documents apply to which claim.

Note: You are the only person who has a right to file a disputed claim with OPM. Parties acting as your representative, such as medical providers, must include a copy of your specific written consent with the review request. However, for urgent care claims, a health care professional with knowledge of your medical condition may act as your authorized representative without your express consent.  However, for urgent care claims, a healthcare professional with knowledge of your medical condition may act as your authorized representative without your express consent.

Note: The above deadlines may be extended if you show that you were unable to meet the deadline because of reasons beyond your control.

OPM will review your disputed claim request and will use the information it collects from you and us to decide whether our decision is correct. OPM will send you a final decision within 60 days. There are no other administrative appeals.

If you do not agree with OPM’s decision, your only recourse is to sue. If you decide to file a lawsuit, you must file the suit against OPM in Federal court by December 31 of the third year after the year in which you received the disputed services, drugs, or supplies or from the year in which you were denied precertification or prior approval. This is the only deadline that may not be extended.

OPM may disclose the information it collects during the review process to support their disputed claim decision. This information will become part of the court record.

You may not file a lawsuit until you have completed the disputed claims process. Further, Federal law governs your lawsuit, benefits, and payment of benefits. The Federal court will base its review on the record that was before OPM when OPM decided to uphold or overturn our decision. You may recover only the amount of benefits in dispute.

You must tell us if you or a covered family member has coverage under any other health plan or has automobile insurance that pays healthcare expenses without regard to fault. This is called "double coverage."

When you have double coverage, one plan normally pays its benefits in full as the primary payor and the other plan pays a reduced benefit as the secondary payor. We, like other insurers, determine which coverage is primary according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' (NAIC) guidelines. For more information on NAIC rules regarding the coordinating of benefits, visit our website at www.emblemhealth.com.

When we are the primary payor, we will pay the benefits described in this brochure.

When we are the secondary payor, we will determine our allowance. After the primary plan pays, we will pay what is left of our allowance, up to our regular benefit. We will not pay more than our allowance.

TRICARE is the healthcare program for eligible dependents of military persons, and retirees of the military. TRICARE includes the CHAMPUS program. CHAMPVA provides health coverage to disabled Veterans and their eligible dependents. IF TRICARE or CHAMPVA and this Plan cover you, we pay first. See your TRICARE or CHAMPVA Health Benefits Advisor if you have questions about these programs.

Suspended FEHB coverage to enroll in TRICARE or CHAMPVA: If you are an annuitant or former spouse, you can suspend your FEHB coverage to enroll in one of these programs, eliminating your FEHB premium. (OPM does not contribute to any applicable plan premiums.) For information on suspending your FEHB enrollment, contact your retirement office. If you later want to re-enroll in the FEHB Program, generally you may do so only at the next Open Season unless you involuntarily lose coverage under TRICARE or CHAMPVA.

We do not cover services that:

• You (or a covered family member) need because of a workplace-related illness or injury that the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) or a similar federal or state agency determines they must provide; or
• OWCP or a similar agency pays for through a third-party injury settlement or other similar proceeding that is based on a claim you filed under OWCP or similar laws.

Once OWCP or similar agency pays its maximum benefits for your treatment, we will cover your care.

When you have this Plan and Medicaid, we pay first.

Suspended FEHB coverage to enroll in Medicaid or a similar State-sponsored program of medical assistance: If you are an annuitant or former spouse, you can suspend your FEHB coverage to enroll in one of these state programs, eliminating your FEHB premium. For information on suspending your FEHB enrollment, contact your retirement office. If you later want to re-enroll in the FEHB Program, generally you may do so only at the next Open Season unless you involuntarily lose coverage under the state program.

We do not cover services and supplies when a local, state, or federal government agency directly or indirectly pays for them.

Our right to pursue and receive subrogation and reimbursement recoveries is a condition of, and a limitation on, the nature of benefits or benefit payments and on the provision of benefits under our coverage.

If you have received benefits or benefit payments as a result of an injury or illness and you or your representatives, heirs, administrators, or assignees receive payment from any party that may be liable, a third party's insurance policies, your own insurance policies, or a workers' compensation program or policy, you must reimburse us out of that payment.  Our right of reimbursement extends to any payment received by settlement, judgment, or otherwise.

We are entitled to reimbursement to the extent of the benefits we have paid or provided in connection with your injury or illness. However, we will cover the cost of treatment that exceeds the amount of the payment you received.

Reimbursement to us out of the payment shall take first priority (before any of the rights of any other parties are honored) and is not impacted by how the judgment, settlement, or other recovery is characterized, designated, or apportioned. Our right of reimbursement is not subject to reduction based on attorney fees or costs under the "common fund" doctrine and is fully enforceable regardless of whether you are "made whole" or fully compensated for the full amount of damaged claimed.

We may, at our option, choose to exercise our right of subrogation and pursue a recovery from any liable party as successor to your rights.

If you do pursue a claim or case related to your injury or illness, you must promptly notify us and cooperate with our reimbursement or subrogation efforts.

Some FEHB Plans already cover dental and vision services. When you are covered by more than one vision/dental plan, coverage provided under your FEHB plan remains as your primary coverage. FEDVIP coverage pays secondary to that coverage. When you enroll in a dental and/or vision plan on BENEFEDS.com or by phone 1-877-888-3337 (TTY 1-877-889-5680), you will be asked to provide information on your FEHB Plan so that your plans can coordinate benefits. Providing your FEHB information may reduce your out-of-pocket cost.

An approved clinical trial includes a phase I, phase II, phase III, or phase IV clinical trial that is conducted in relation to the prevention, detection, or treatment of cancer or other life-threatening disease or condition and is either Federally funded; conducted under an investigational new drug application reviewed by the Food and Drug administration; or is a drug trial that is exempt from the requirement of an investigational new drug application.

If you are a participant in a clinical trial, this health plan will provide related care as follows, if it is not provided by the clinical trial:

• Routine care costs - costs for routine services such as doctor visits, lab tests, X-rays and scans, and hospitalizations related to treating the patient's cancer, whether the patient is in a clinical trial or is receiving standard therapy.
• Extra care costs - costs related to taking part in a clinical trial such as additional tests that a patient may need as part of the trial, but not as part of the patient's routine care. We do not cover these costs.
• Research costs - costs related to conducting the clinical trial such as research physician and nurse time, analysis of results, and clinical tests performed only for research purposes. We do not cover these costs.

For more detailed information on “What isMedicare?” and “Should I Enroll inMedicare?” please contactMedicare at 1-800- MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or at www.medicare.gov

The Original Medicare Plan (Original Medicare) is available everywhere in the United States. It is the way everyone used to get Medicare benefits and is the way most people get their Medicare Part A and Part B benefits now. You may go to any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare. The Original Medicare Plan pays its share and you pay your share

All physicians and other providers are required by law to file claims directly to Medicare for members with Medicare Part B, when Medicare is primary. This is true whether or not they accept Medicare.

When you are enrolled in Original Medicare along with this plan, you still need to follow the rules in this brochure for us to cover your care.

Claims process when you have The Original Medicare Plan – You will probably not need to file a claim form when you have both our Plan and the Original Medicare Plan.

When we are the primary payor, we processes your claim first.

When Original Medicare is the primary payor, Medicare processes your claim first. In most cases, your claims will be coordinated automatically and we will then provide secondary benefits for covered charges. You will not need to do anything. To find out if you need to do something about filing your claims, call us at (877) 842-3625, or access our website at www.emblemhealth.com/federal.

We do not waive any costs if the Original Medicare Plan is your primary payor. 

Please review the following table it illustrates your cost share if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B. If you purchase Medicare Part B, your provider is in our network and participates in Medicare, then we waive some costs because Medicare will be the primary payor.

You can find more information about how our plan coordinates benefits with Medicare at www.emblemhealth.com

Benefit Description: Deductible
High Option You Pay Without Medicare: $0
High Option You Pay With Medicare Part B: $0

Benefit Description: Out-of-Pocket Maximum
High Option You Pay Without Medicare: $8,150 Self Only/ $16,300 Self Plus One or Self and Family
High Option You Pay With Medicare Part B: $8,150 Self Only/ $16,300 Self Plus One or Self and Family

Benefit Description: Primary Care Physician
High Option You Pay Without Medicare: $50
High Option You Pay With Medicare Part B: $0

Benefit Description: Specialist
High Option You Pay Without Medicare: $50
High Option You Pay With Medicare Part B: $0

Benefit Description: Inpatient Hospital
High Option You Pay Without Medicare: $500 copay per day to a maximum of $1,000
High Option You Pay With Medicare Part B: $0

Benefit Description: Outpatient Hospital
High Option You Pay Without Medicare: $150
High Option You Pay With Medicare Part B: $0

Benefit Description: Incentives Offered
High Option You Pay Without Medicare: N/A
High Option You Pay With Medicare Part B: N/A 

You must tell us if you or a covered family member has Medicare coverage, and let us obtain information about services denied or paid under Medicare if we ask. You must also tell us about other coverage you or your covered family members may have, as this coverage may affect the primary/secondary status of this Plan and Medicare.

If you are eligible for Medicare, you may choose to enroll in and get your Medicare benefits from a Medicare Advantage plan.  These are private health care choices (like HMOs and regional PPOs) in some areas of the country. 

To learn more about Medicare Advantage plans, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), (TTY 1-877-486-2048) or at www.medicare.gov.

When we are the primary payor, we process the claim first.  If you enroll in Medicare Part D and we are the secondary payor, we will review claims for your prescription drug costs that are not covered by Medicare Part D and consider them for payment under the FEHB plan.

An approved clinical trial includes a phase I, phase II, phase III, or phase IV clinical trial that is conducted in relation to the prevention, detection, or treatment of cancer or other life-threatening disease or condition and is either Federally funded; conducted under an investigational new drug application reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration; or is a drug trial that is exempt from the requirement of an investigational new drug application. 

If you are a participant in a clinical trial, this health plan will provide related care as follows, if it is not provided by the clinical trial.

• Routine care costs – costs for routine services such as doctor visits, lab tests, x-rays and scans, and hospitalizations related to treating the patient’s cancer, whether the patient is in a clinical trial or is receiving standard therapy
• Extra care costs – costs related to taking part in a clinical trial such as additional tests that a patient may need as part of the trial, but not as part of the patient’s routine care
• Research costs – costs related to conducting the clinical trial such as research physician and nurse time, analysis of results, and clinical tests performed only for research purposes.  These costs are generally covered by the clinical trials. This plan does not cover these costs.

See Section 4 page 22 

See Section 4 page 22 

See Section 4 page 22 

Experimental treatment is a treatment that has not been tested in human beings; or that is being tested but has not yet been approved for general use; or that is subject to review or approval by an Institutional Review Board.

Investigational treatment includes, but is not limited to, services or supplies which are under study or in a clinical trial to evaluate their toxicity, safety and efficiency for a particular diagnosis or set of indications.

A physician or other healthcare professional licensed, accredited, or certified to perform specified health services consistent with state law.

Medically necessary services are services; supplies or equipment provided by a hospital or covered provider of the health care services that the carrier determines:

• are appropriate to diagnose or treat the patient’s condition, illness, or injury;
• are consistent with standards of good medical practice in the United States;
• are not primarily for the personal comfort or convenience of the patient, the family, or the provider;
• are not part of or associated with scholastic education or vocational training of the patient; and
• in case of inpatient care, cannot be provided safely on an outpatient basis.

The fact that a covered provider has prescribed, recommended, or approved a service, supply or equipment does not, in itself, make it medically necessary.

A network provider is a participating provider who has a contract with EmblemHealth and has agreed to accept EmblemHealth’s schedule of allowances or negotiated rate(s) as payment in full for covered services and who participates in the EmblemHealth network that applies to your coverage.

Plan allowance is the amount we use to determine our payment and your coinsurance for covered services.  Plans determine their allowances in different ways.  

You should also see Important Notice About Surprise Billing – Know Your Rights in Section 4 that describes your protections against surprise billing under the No Surprises Act.

Certain covered services must be precertified by contacting EmblemHealth for approval prior to treatment. EmblemHealth’s advance approval for these services may result in a reduction of benefits and/or payments.

A claim for medical care or treatment is an urgent care claim if waiting for the regular time limit for non-urgent care claims could have one of the following impacts:

• Waiting could seriously jeopardize your life or health;
• Waiting could seriously jeopardize your ability to regain maximum function; or
• In the opinion of a physician with knowledge of your medical condition, waiting would subject you to severe pain that cannot be adequately managed without the care or treatment that is the subject of the claim.

Urgent care claims usually involve Pre-service claims and not Post-service claims.  We will determine whether or not a claim is an urgent care claim by applying the judgment of a prudent layperson who possesses an average knowledge of health and medicine.

If you believe your claim qualifies as an urgent care claim, please contact our Customer Service Department at (877)842-3625.  You may also prove that your claim is an urgent care claim by providing evidence that a physician with knowledge of your medical condition has determined that your claim involves urgent care.

$50 per visit

$10 per visit for dependent children (under age 26) 

All charges for non-participating providers.

24 

$500 per day inpatient admission up to a maximum of $1,000 per admission.

43

$150 copayment for outpatient hospital or ambulatory facility and $50 copayment for diagnostic labs, x-rays, and pathology. $10 copayment for dependent children (under age 26) for diagnostic labs, x-rays and pathology.

44

$200 per hospital  emergency  room visit and charges that exceed the Plan’s emergency fee schedule.

46

$200  per hospital  emergency room visit for non-participating facilities plus charges that exceed our allowance.

46

Same cost-sharing as for other illnesses or conditions

48

$20 copay for generic drugs, $50 copay for brand preferred drugs, $100 copay for brand non-preferred drugs, 25% coinsurance up to $200 maximum per script for speciality drugs. 

50

$40 copay for generic drugs, $125 copay for brand preferred drugs or $170 copay for generic or brand non-preferred drugs

50

Nothing to participating providers

54

Nothing to participating providers

31

Copays or coinsurance as indicated

56