Retirees enrolled in the Empire Plan over age 65 (Medicare) are entitled to 20 days of care at a skilled nursing facility with a required hospital stay beforehand of at least 3 days.
Active or retirees under age 65 enrolled in the Empire Plan are entitled to 120 days of care with no hospital stay required.
Some politicians attempted to remedy this blatant age discrimination with Senate Bill S8192, Assembly Bill A9215.
The bill would ensure that public employee retirees are not having their skilled nursing care benefits reduced under the state health benefit plan at the time they enroll for Medicare.
The bill was vetoed by Governor Hochul.
Please contact your local Assembly and Senate member to remind them this issue needs to continue go forward.