To enroll in this plan, you must obtain a special enrollment application directly from the health plan.

The HIP VIP® Premier Medicare Plan is available to residents of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester counties. If you or your spouse are enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B, you are eligible to join HIP VIP® Premier Medicare Plan. You will receive all the benefits provided by Medicare, plus additional benefits provided by HIP, including:

As a member of HIP VIP® Premier Medicare Plan, you choose a primary care physician (PCP) practicing in his or her private office as part of our expanding network of physicians or in one of HIP’s convenient neighborhood health care centers throughout HIP’s New York metropolitan service area. You may visit your PCP as often as necessary. Your physician will refer you to appropriate specialists for treatment and services whenever necessary.

You and your dependents will be covered for a broad range of in-network hospital and medical services that include routine examinations, medical screenings, X-rays, mammography services, home care, urgent care, mental health services, a preventive dental program and more.

Any medical care – except for covered emergencies or urgently needed care out of the area – that is neither provided by nor authorized by HIP or your PCP will not be covered by either HIP or Medicare. Benefits vary based on county or residence. Please call HIP for more details.

Prescription Drug Coverage
Drugs are prescribed by your HIP participating physician and obtained through any one of HIP’s participating pharmacies.  Retirees who receive prescription drug coverage through their union welfare fund are entitled to basic prescription coverage as follows:
Copays at retail:
Tier 1: $10 Preferred Generic 
Tier 2: $20 Preferred Brand
Tier 3: $50% coinsurance Non-Preferred Drugs
Tier 4: 25% coinsurance Specialty Drugs 
Mail Order:   $5/$10/50% copay per 30-day supply - up to 90-day supply
Tier 4: 25% copay up to 30-day supply only
Member pays copay and coinsurance between $0 and $2,135
No coverage between $2,135 and $3,850 
If member reaches $3,850 - $2 copay per prescription for Tier 1 drugs/$5 copay per prescription  Tiers 2-4 drugs, or 5% coinsurance whichever is greater   

Retirees in union welfare funds where prescription drugs are not covered will automatically receive the following prescription drug benefit: 
Copays Retail: 
Tier 1: $10 Preferred Generic 
Tier 2: $15  Preferred Brand
Tier 3: 50% coinsurance Non-Preferred Drugs
Tier 4: 25% coinsurance Specialty Drugs 
Mail Order:   $5/$7.50/50% copay per 30-day supply - up to 90-day supply
Tier 4: 25% copay up to 30 day supply only 
If member reaches $3,850 in calendar year - copays are $2 per prescription for Tier 1 drugs/$5 copay per prescription for Tiers 2-4 drugs, or 5% coinsurance whichever is greater.   

Cost
See rate page for pension deductions.
See the rate page

For More Information
For additional information about HIP VIP® Medicare Plan, please call (800) HIP-NYC9 (800-447-6929). Specially trained representatives are available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, to answer your questions.  HIP's Web site is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean. 
Visit the Plan Web site (opens in new window)

Updated to reflect changes to Prescription Drug Benefit effective January 1, 2007.