New York State Health Care Reform Act (HCRA)

July 11, 2003

Dear Payor:

Re: New York State Health Care Reform Act (HCRA) of 2000

As previously detailed in my letter dated June 17, 2003, one of the major statutory changes made to the New York State Health Care Reform Act (HCRA) of 2000 was to amend the election process to allow for monthly elections.

A review of our records indicates that prior to the revised legislation, you submitted an election application to become a direct payor to the Public Goods Pool effective October 1, 2003.

It is the purpose of this letter to inform you that as a result of this amendment, you may now qualify for an earlier election effective date if you were self-insured for employee health benefits as of that date.

If you wish to revise the date of your election to become effective on the first day of the month following receipt of the enclosed Attachment 2, Election Form For Payors, please complete and return it to the following address:

Mr. Jerome Alaimo, Director
Office of Pool Administration
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, Central New York Region
P.O. Box 4757
Syracuse, New York 13221-4757

If you do not complete a revised Attachment 2, your election will remain effective October 1, 2003.

If you are represented by an electing third party administrator, it is recommended that you notify them of the change in effective date of your election.

If you have any questions concerning this matter, please feel free to contact a HCRA representative at (518) 474-1673.

Sincerely,

Mark H. Van Guysling
Assistant Director
Division of Health Care Financing

Enclosures