DC 37 Family,

I have great news to share with you and your loved ones. This week, DC 37 and our union partners in the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) approved a proposed health plan for city workers, pre-Medicare retirees, and your dependents: the NYC Employees PPO (NYCE PPO) Plan.

After years of rigorous research, discussions, and negotiations with potential providers and the City of New York, we have developed a modernized, equitable health plan that enhances and expands access to premium-free care— all while lowering your out-of-pocket costs. 

The NYCE PPO Plan, provided jointly by EmblemHealth and UnitedHealthcare, is the first new health care plan for city workers in over four decades. By following an extensive negotiated acquisition process over the past two years, we were able to address your concerns with the existing plan while reining in the costs that threaten the premium-free benefits you rely on. (You can view a side-by-side comparison of the new and existing PPO plans here).

Not only do you get to keep your doctors through EmblemHealth’s network in the New York City metropolitan area, but the new plan also taps into UnitedHealthcare’s national network, expanding access for the more than 80,000 pre-Medicare retirees who live out of state. Mental and behavioral health benefits also get a major boost, with an increase from just 12,000 providers to 39,000 in New York and from 61,000 to 418,000 nationally.

One major concern we heard from you is the issue of prior authorizations. With the NYCE PPO Plan, prior authorizations will decrease substantially— as much as 50% compared to the current plan. Even with this guaranteed improvement, we remain vigilant. As part of this agreement, we established a review committee, including members of the MLC, to meet monthly and review reports on plan implementation, costs, prior authorizations and claim denials so that we can address any issues as they arise.

The new plan also emphasizes convenience by using a single member ID card, mobile app and sign-on portal for all medical and hospital services. You can view more information on our website here and at www.nyceppo.com.

The NYCE PPO Plan will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The open enrollment and transfer period will begin Nov. 1, where you will be able to select which of the City’s available health plans best fits your 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.

In an economic climate that is hurting all of us at home, in the grocery store and at our jobs, we know every cent matters. That is why this new plan, in the face of skyrocketing health care costs, prescription drug and hospital prices, is a victory for our members.

In solidarity,

Henry A. Garrido
Executive Director
District Council 37