Cancer Benefits
The Empire Plan includes benefits and resources for eligible enrollees and covered dependents through cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment and recovery.
Prevention and Early Detection
Preventive screenings help to find cancer earlier. When screenings are performed by an in-network provider, The Empire Plan covers eligible preventive services at no cost. These include mammograms, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings, Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans for people at high risk for lung cancer and annual wellness visits.
Center of Excellence
Participation in the Center of Excellence (COE) for Cancer Program is voluntary. The program provides access to a nationwide network of top cancer centers through Cancer Resource Services (CRS). These centers meet strict evaluation criteria, such as a multidisciplinary approach to care, treatment planning and coordination and high-quality clinical research. After you enroll in the program, your cancer care is covered with no copayments, deductibles or coinsurance.
Travel Expenses
When an approved COE is more than 100 miles from the patient’s home, or 200 miles for air travel, the program may reimburse eligible travel expenses for the patient and one companion. Two companions may be covered when the patient is a minor.
Covered expenses include:
- Lodging and meals [based on the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) per diem rate]
- Mileage reimbursement (personal or rental car) based on the IRSL medical rate
- Economy-class airfare, coach train fare and certain costs of local travel (local subway, local ride-sharing, taxi or bus fare, shuttle, parking and tolls)
The travel allowance is available as long as you remain enrolled and are receiving benefits under the COE for Cancer.
Other Coverage
Enrollees who do not use a COE still have access to cancer benefits through The Empire Plan. Depending on plan requirements, coverage may include inpatient and outpatient treatment, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, prescription drugs, hospice, prosthetic wigs and mastectomy bras. In-network care generally results in lower out-of-pocket costs.
Mental health support is also available for members coping with anxiety, depression or stress related to cancer.
Get Started
To ask about the Center of Excellence for Cancer Program, call The Empire Plan at 1-877-769-7447, press or say 1 for the Medical/Surgical Program, then press or say 5 for Cancer Resource Services. Always review your plan materials and confirm coverage or preauthorization requirements before receiving services.
