Advertisement in the New York Post: Do We Have Your Money?

Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield is reaching out to members and providers to whom it has issued checks that have not been cashed. This outreach includes advertising outstanding payments due to members and providers. State law requires that after attempting to contact the owners via “due diligence” letters and advertisement, all checks that remain uncashed for set periods of time must be remitted to the State. If you saw your name published in the recent New York Post advertisement, it is possible that we have funds that belong to you. To recover these funds, please click here to access a claim form. After completion of the form, print 2 copies, mail or email one copy to the indicated address and keep the other copy for your records. This form must be postmarked by August 15, 2009. This deadline can not be extended due to the State reporting due date. Therefore, any responses postmarked after that date will not be processed and you will need to file a claim directly with the state of New York approximately six months after that date.  

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): 

What is an unclaimed fund or property? 

Unclaimed property for this purpose consists of funds or checks that are uncashed or uncollected by the owner for a number of years. Additional FAQ  

Why am I just receiving notification?  

State law requires that we remit all unclaimed funds to the State after the stipulated number of years contained within each state’s regulations. We are required to attempt to locate and notify the payee of the check, giving the payee the opportunity to establish their rightful ownership, prior to remitting the funds to the appropriate state.  

Why are the last 4 digits of my Social Security Number or Employer Identification Number required?  

This is the most reliable information available to confirm you are the intended payee. We use your response to confirm it agrees with the information associated with this payment.  

…but I never received the check(s) 

It is possible that this original check has been left uncashed because it was lost in the mail, it had an incorrect address, or it was misplaced upon receipt. This notification is the Company’s final attempt to locate the owner and deliver these funds.  

What is this check in regard to? 

Unfortunately, due to the age of the original check, business and system mergers, specific information relating to the nature of the check is often not available. A majority of unclaimed checks have been issued on systems that have now been retired and obtaining detailed information is not possible. We will attempt to respond to all inquiries, however, this could delay processing your response and result in the funds being escheated to the state. We regret any inconvenience this may cause in identifying the payment.  

How do I complete the form if my name changed?  

If your name has changed, please send evidence documenting the name change. Examples include, but are not limited to: Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, or Adoption records.  

The payee is a business, how do I complete the form?  

Please provide your name and title when responding on behalf of your provider or business. If you are requesting an address change, please provide documentation, such as letterhead or a business card attached to this completed form.  

The payee has since died. How do I complete the form?  

If the payee is deceased, we will reissue the payment to the Estate of the Original Payee. You will need to submit a copy of the Death Certificate and a copy of the document that indicates the responder has been assigned the authority to act on behalf of the deceased or the estate. Bring the reissued check along with the documentation that identifies you as the beneficiary, executor or administrator who has the right to manage these funds, to your bank. You should also bring a certified copy of the Death Certificate and a copy of one or more of the following documents: Will, Trust, Probate Order, Power of Attorney or Affidavit. If there is no Estate, an affidavit can be obtained from your local Probate Court office.  

 

We must receive your completed response postmarked by the August 15, 2009. Thank you for helping us to manage the large volume of these compliance letters by complying with this request.