Benefits
NYC Employees PPO plan (NYCE PPO)
Health Benefits Improvements Coming Jan. 1, 2026
The NYC Employees PPO plan (NYCE PPO) is a new, premium-free health plan for City workers, pre-65 retirees, and their dependents from EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare.
The new health plan includes:
- Zero premiums
- EmblemHealth network in NYC- keep your existing doctors!
- More mental health providers
- Expanded national network
- Lower out-of-pocket costs
- One member ID card and portal for medical benefits
The NYCE PPO Plan will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. The open enrollment and transfer period will begin Nov. 1, where members will be able to select which of the City’s available health plans best fits their needs.
As with all health plans offered to employees of the City of New York, the NYCE PPO plan must follow all Federal and New York State mandates regarding health benefit coverage.
Why was a new health plan negotiated?
Members have reported concerns about the city’s GHI-CBP plan, particularly the difficulty finding behavioral and mental health providers. In-network doctors are also difficult to locate with the current plan, especially for the city’s 80,000+ retired workers who live out of the state and do not yet qualify for Medicare. The unions representing city workers have fought constantly to prevent copay increases and health insurance premiums while health care costs have nearly doubled since 2015 (from $16,000 to $31,000 for a family plan). The intent of the Negotiated Acquisition for a new health plan was to preserve premium-free health care while addressing consumer issues with the current plan.
Why was EmblemHealth/UnitedHealthcare selected?
With the new plan from EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare (UHC), there will be virtually no disruption in care as our members will be able to keep the same in-network doctors. EmblemHealth/UHC also significantly expands our network of doctors, hospitals and other services, which is especially beneficial for pre-Medicare retirees outside the downstate New York area. The selection of EmblemHealth/UHC also enables us to maintain our premium-free healthcare, reduce the number of pre-authorizations, and provide copay-free care at ACPNY, MSK and HSS.
What are the next steps?
Active members of the EmblemHealth GHI CBP/Anthem BlueCross BlueShield plan and their eligible dependents will be enrolled in the new plan before Jan. 1, 2026, unless another plan is selected during the Open Enrollment and Transfer period beginning Nov. 1. The list of available health plans offered by the City of New York is available here. Senior Care members will remain in their existing plan; dependents not eligible for Medicare will be transferred to the NYCE PPO plan. Covered members will receive a single ID card for their coverage, a welcome kit, and a summary of plan benefits in the mail. DC 37 will host information sessions for members in the coming months to answer questions about the new plan.
