Can I use NYSHIP at a treatment program in California?

The Empire Plan includes non-network benefits for mental health and substance use care. Anchored Tides works with NYSHIP as an out-of-network provider, and verification confirms your cost.

Is NYSHIP the same as The Empire Plan?

NYSHIP is the program; The Empire Plan is its main health plan. Some enrollees choose an HMO instead, and HMO options can limit out-of-network care. Verification confirms which applies to you.

I'm a NYSHIP retiree. Does my coverage still apply?

Retirees enrolled in NYSHIP keep Empire Plan benefits. If you also have Medicare, call (866) 329-6639 before submitting a verification so admissions can review how your coverage coordinates.

Do I need approval before starting PHP or IOP?

Structured programs typically need approval through Carelon. The admissions team handles the request.

Is verification confidential?

Yes. Verification is confidential, free, and creates no obligation. Information shared during verification doesn't go to your employer without your authorization.

Insurance & Coverage6 min read

NYSHIP Coverage for Women's Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

TL;DR

NYSHIP, the New York State Health Insurance Program, provides coverage to New York public employees, retirees and their families, most often through The Empire Plan. Empire Plan mental health and substance use benefits are administered by Carelon Behavioral Health, and the plan includes non-network benefits. Anchored Tides Recovery works with NYSHIP as an out-of-network provider for women's outpatient treatment in Huntington Beach, California.

Anchored Tides Clinical Team · Reviewed by Zoe Tambling, LMFT · Published September 17, 2026

Published September 17, 2026Last reviewed: September 17, 2026

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“ATR has been a wonderful organization to work with. I've partnered with them on many occasions on behalf of my own clients. They're trustworthy, ethical and provide excellent clinical care to the women they serve.”

Maddie JohnsonJuly 2024

“Anchored Tides helped me save my life. The staff strike the perfect balance between understanding and accountability. I was fortunate to work with an amazing therapist, to whom I will be forever grateful. The groups were eye opening and helped me change my perspectives. Operations staff was and still is an integral part of my recovery. I feel so blessed to have come through this program. Thank you Anchored Tides”

B KaufmanAugust 2026

Excerpt from a public Google review

“As a father, there are no words that can fully express what Anchored Tides Recovery has meant to our family. My daughter went there at a time when we were terrified of what the future might hold. Addiction had taken so much from her, and as her dad, all I wanted was to see my daughter get her life back. Anchored Tides gave her that chance.”

Mike HAugust 2026

Excerpt from a public Google review

“Thank you Anchored Tides! Thank you for not giving up on me and for teaching me what it means to be a sober woman in recovery. The experience and skills that were provided to me have changed my life and I continue to utilize the skills today. The individualized treatment and support was what set you guys apart from the other programs I had tried (and there were a lot, LOL).”

Neely WeirJuly 2024

“The owners, Amy and Becca, are professional, knowledgeable and dedicated to their clients. The structure they provide at ATR is remarkable and covers many disciplines which are integral in a high recovery success rate. The personal experiences they have both lived and grown from serve as an important foundation for understanding and inspiring the women they work with.”

Lindsay OrtegaJanuary 2021

Excerpt from a public Google review

“What an amazing place Anchored Tides is. As Amy explained when we first visited, girls and women are an afterthought in many treatment programs, which often are founded and structured for boys and men. Anchored Tides' holistic approach to ALL of the co-existing issues that girls and women face is groundbreaking, and so appreciated.”

Erika BlumAugust 2018

Read all reviews on Google Call (866) 329-6639

If you or your spouse works for the State of New York or a participating public employer, or you're a retiree, your health coverage may come through NYSHIP and The Empire Plan. The Empire Plan includes benefits for mental health and substance use care from non-network providers. Anchored Tides Recovery works with NYSHIP for women's outpatient treatment in California, and the admissions team verifies your benefits at no cost. Comparing plans? See all of our addiction treatment insurance guides.

Key Takeaways

1
NYSHIP covers New York State and participating public employees, retirees and their families.
2
The Empire Plan is NYSHIP's main plan, with separate administrators for each part of the benefit.
3
Carelon Behavioral Health administers The Empire Plan's Mental Health and Substance Use Program.
4
The Empire Plan includes non-network benefits for mental health and substance use care.
5
Anchored Tides works with NYSHIP as an out-of-network provider.

A woman reviewing documents at her laptop

About NYSHIP and The Empire Plan

NYSHIP is administered by the Employee Benefits Division of the New York State Department of Civil Service. It covers active employees, retirees, vestees and dependent survivors, along with their enrolled dependents and some COBRA and Young Adult Option enrollees.

The Empire Plan splits its benefits across specialist administrators. For 2026, UnitedHealthcare administers the medical and surgical program, Anthem Blue Cross administers the hospital program, Carelon Behavioral Health administers the Mental Health and Substance Use Program, and CVS Caremark administers prescription drugs. For treatment at Anchored Tides, Carelon is the administrator that matters most.

What The Empire Plan Typically Covers for Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

The Empire Plan's Mental Health and Substance Use Program covers both network and non-network care. For women considering outpatient treatment, that typically includes:

Outpatient mental health and substance use treatment
Structured outpatient programs, subject to the plan's approval requirements
Evidence-based therapies such as EMDR, DBT and CBT
Care for co-occurring conditions, the focus of our dual diagnosis program

Non-network care carries a deductible and coinsurance. Verification confirms what applies to your enrollment.

Traveling From New York for Treatment

Many New York families look outside the state for women's-only care. Because The Empire Plan includes non-network benefits, a woman can consider a specialized program in California. The admissions team confirms how your benefits apply, coordinates with Carelon and explains the cost before any travel plans are made. Our travel to Huntington Beach guide covers the practical side.

What Affects Your Out-of-Pocket Cost

Your NYSHIP option and enrollment group
Non-network deductible status: what you've paid this year
Non-network coinsurance and the annual coinsurance maximum
The plan's allowed amount for non-network care
Approval requirements through Carelon
The level of care: PHP, IOP and OP cost differently

How Verification Works

Submit the Verify Insurance form or call (866) 329-6639 with your Empire Plan ID card details.
Within 1 to 3 business days, the admissions team verifies your mental health and substance use benefits with Carelon.
You receive plain-language results explaining what's covered and what your out-of-pocket cost would be.

Verification is free and creates no obligation.

What Anchored Tides Provides

Anchored Tides Recovery is a women's-only outpatient program in Huntington Beach, California, JCAHO accredited, California DHCS License #300386AP, led by Clinical Director Sara Rotunno, LPCC. The clinical model centers on EMDR (foundational), DBT, and CBT, with holistic adjuncts including mindfulness, Adventure Therapy, Reiki, Sound Healing, and Registered Dietitian support. Three outpatient levels of care on-site (PHP, IOP, OP), plus a dedicated Mental Health track.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use NYSHIP at a treatment program in California?
The Empire Plan includes non-network benefits for mental health and substance use care. Anchored Tides works with NYSHIP as an out-of-network provider, and verification confirms your cost.
Who handles my Empire Plan mental health benefits?
For 2026, Carelon Behavioral Health administers The Empire Plan's Mental Health and Substance Use Program. See our Carelon coverage guide for more on how Carelon works.
Is NYSHIP the same as The Empire Plan?
NYSHIP is the program; The Empire Plan is its main health plan. Some enrollees choose an HMO instead, and HMO options can limit out-of-network care. Verification confirms which applies to you.
I'm a NYSHIP retiree. Does my coverage still apply?
Retirees enrolled in NYSHIP keep Empire Plan benefits. If you also have Medicare, call (866) 329-6639 before submitting a verification so admissions can review how your coverage coordinates.
Do I need approval before starting PHP or IOP?
Structured programs typically need approval through Carelon. The admissions team handles the request.
Is verification confidential?
Yes. Verification is confidential, free, and creates no obligation. Information shared during verification doesn't go to your employer without your authorization.

Evidence & accountability

Sources and clinical review

This page was reviewed by Zoe Tambling, LMFT on 2026-09-17. The references below informed the specific topics noted with each citation.

NYSHIP 2026 At a Glance for Participating AgenciesNew York State Department of Civil ServiceSupports: NYSHIP structure, 2026 Empire Plan program administrators, network and non-network mental health and substance use benefits.

Ready to take the next step?

Call (866) 329-6639 or verify your insurance, confidential, no obligation. Women-only environment, Joint Commission accredited.

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← Back to all articles

NYSHIP Coverage for Women's Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

Key Takeaways

About NYSHIP and The Empire Plan

What The Empire Plan Typically Covers for Addiction and Mental Health Treatment

Traveling From New York for Treatment

What Affects Your Out-of-Pocket Cost

How Verification Works

What Anchored Tides Provides

Frequently asked questions

Sources and clinical review

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