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COVID-19
Vaccinations

Learn about Empire’s surgical site of care clinical guideline that began on January 1, 2021, and what it means for you.

Health Plans Just Right For You

We believe health plans shouldn’t be hard to figure out. See how easy it can be with Empire by shopping for plans below.

Employer Group Plans

Flexible group insurance plans for every size business. Choose from a variety of group medical, pharmacy, dental, vision and life and disability plans.

Shopping for a new group plan? Changing plans or carriers? Get started today.

Medicare Plans

With Empire , you have options. Find a Medicare plan that's perfect for your health needs and your budget.

Open Enrollment for Medicare

Open Enrollment is from October 15th to December 7th. If you’re turning 65 soon, check out our Turning 65 page to learn about your options!

Individual and Family Insurance Plans

Empire offers health insurance options for you and your family.

You can also find dental and vision insurance options by shopping today.

Need coverage now?

You have options to get health insurance. Explore your options.

Find Care

Stethescope

Choose from quality doctors and hospitals that are part of your plan with our Find Care tool.

Prescriptions

Pills

We offer a wide range of generic and brand name drugs, home delivery, and more. Check if your prescription is covered.

Manage everything right here

Tablet

Pay monthly premiums, manage claims, and view benefits all from your online account. You can also pay your first premium and get new coverage started.

We’re There When You Need Us

If you need health care right away, you’ve got options. As always, if you feel your life or health is in danger, you should go to the emergency room. But let’s take a look at why another option for medical attention can be a good idea. You can also check out our Getting Better Care page for more tips.

Live Health Online

Retail Health Clinic

Doctor's Office

Urgent Care

Emergency Room

Live Health Online

See a doctor or therapist without leaving your home!

Cost:
Time:
Severity:

Cold, flu, allergies, fever, sinus infections, diarrhea, pinkeye and other eye infections, skin infection or rash

Retail Health Clinic

Visit your local retail clinic for flu shots or help with mild rashes, fevers, or colds.

Cost:
Time:
Severity:

Rash, minor burns, cough, sore throat, shots, ear or sinus pain, burning with urination, minor fever, cold, minor allergic reactions, bumps, cuts and scrapes, eye pain or irritation

Doctor's Office

Your doctor’s office is a great place for scheduled care and check-ups, and you should try them first during office hours in a non-life-threatening emergency.

Cost:
Time:
Severity:

Mild asthma, rash, minor burns, minor fever or cold, nausea, diarrhea, back pain, minor headache, ear or sinus pain, cough, sore throat, bumps, cuts, scrapes, minor allergic reactions, burning with urination, shots, eye pain or irritation

Urgent Care

Urgent Care is accessible in many communities at all hours of the day and night. Doctors and nurses can help with non-life-threatening but urgently-needed care quickly.

Cost:
Time:
Severity:

Sprains and strains, nausea or diarrhea, ear or sinus pain, minor allergic reactions, animal bites, back pain, cough, sore throat, mild asthma, burning with urination, rash, minor burns, X-rays, minor fever or cold, stitches, eye pain or irritation, minor headache, shots, bumps, cuts and scrapes

Emergency Room

You should always go to the emergency room (ER) if you believe your life or health is in danger. However, for less severe injuries or illnesses, the ER can be expensive and wait times can average over 4 hours.

Cost:
Time:
Severity:

Always call 911 or go the ER if you think you are having a real emergency or if you think you could put your health at serious risk by delaying care.

Stay Healthy and Informed

We're giving you the latest advice, tips and news about using your benefits, getting better care and staying healthy.

LGBTQ+ Healthcare: Building a Better Future

BCB Community Mental Health

Covid vaccine and immunity

Notices and Updates

Partners in health

Producers

The place to find the tools and resources you need to grow and retain your business, the Producer Toolbox is your own personal command center for quoting and renewals.

Employers

For both small group and large group employers, find all the info you need right here.

Providers

Resources and tools that help physicians and health care professionals do what they do best, care for our members.

Sydney Care is offered through an arrangement with Carelon Digital Platforms, Inc. Sydney Health and Sydney Care are service marks of Carelon Digital Platforms, Inc., © 2022.

Empire BlueCross BlueShield is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Empire BlueCross BlueShield depends on contract renewal. Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc. (Empire) is the legal entity that has contracted with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer the HMO plan noted above or herein. Empire is the risk-bearing entity licensed under applicable state law to offer the HMO plan(s) noted. Empire has retained the services of its related companies and the authorized agents/brokers/producers to provide administrative services and/or to make the HMO plan(s) available in this region. Services provided by Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc. licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

The purpose of this communication is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by an insurance agent or insurance company.

Once enrolled into your Medicare Supplement insurance plan, your coverage is guaranteed for the life of the plan with only two exceptions/restrictions: nonpayment of premiums and material misrepresentation.

This policy meets the minimum standards for MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE as defined by the New York State Department of Financial Services. The expected benefit ratio for this policy is 65%. This ratio is the portion of future premiums which the company expects to return as benefits, when averaged over all people with this policy.

Products offered are not connected with or endorsed by any division or agency of the state of New York, the United States government, or the Federal Medicare program.

The policy form numbers are: APLANAM(17)-NY BCBS; APLANBM(17)-NY BCBS; APLANFM(17)-NY BCBS; APLANGM(17)-NY BCBS; and APLANNM(17)-NY BCBS.

IMPORTANT NOTICE - A CONSUMER’S GUIDE TO HEALTH INSURANCE FOR PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE OR FROM THIS INSURER

Services provided by Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and/or HealthPlus HP, LLC, Independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans. Empire BlueCross Retiree Solutions and/or Empire BlueCross BlueShield Retiree Solutions is the trade name of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. All external sites will open in a new browser window. Please view our website Privacy Policy for more information.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Call Customer Service, (TTY:711) for more information.

Attention: If you speak any language other than English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call our Customer Service number, (TTY: 711). ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame a nuestro número de Servicio de Atención al Cliente (TTY: 711). 注意:如果您使用非英語的其他語言,您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電聯絡客戶服務部(聽語障用戶請致電:711)。