Welfare Fund
(The UFT represents numerous professionals who work for different employers and whose health benefits are reflected in their specific negotiated agreements. The Welfare Fund Benefits listed here apply specifically to Department of Education employees represented by the UFT. Any UFT member whose contract does not provide prescription drug coverage or dental plan coverage is eligible to participate in the UFT direct access programs, as described.)
WELFARE FUNDamentals (Benefit Updates)
Seasonal Flu and H1N1 vaccinations
The Fund has reached out to the various health plans for information regarding their Seasonal Flu and H1N1 vaccination policies. The following information outlines their responses:
GHI & HIP - We have been informed by GHI & HIP that subscribers can obtain the Seasonal Flu and H1N1 vaccinations at their participating doctor when available. Members who choose to get the vaccination, will not be charged a copay for the administration of either of the vaccinations providing that their visit to the doctor is only for the vaccination with no other medical request. Please call your provider and verify that the vaccination you are requesting is available prior to your visit.
Empire,Cigna and Aetna responded that there are no copays for the H1N1 vaccinations however, they indicated that there is a copay for the seasonal flu vaccination. Please call your provider and verify that the vaccination you are requesting is available prior to your visit and discuss any applicable copays.
ENROLL ONLINE IN THE UFT WELFARE FUND Click here to enroll: www.uft.org/welfare/enroll
New UFT Members can now enroll in the UFT Welfare Fund On-Line. Although the current paper enrollment is still available, this process will expedite enrollment and access to benefits for eligible members and their dependents.
NEW!!! ONLINE CHANGE OF STATUS
Click here for Change of Status: Members who are already enrolled in the UFT Welfare Fund can use this expedited change of status process to:
- Make changes to your name
- Update your mailing address
- Update your family profile including dependents and beneficiaries
Members may also continue to use the blue “Change Of Status” packets that are available through your chapter leader or by calling the UFT Welfare Fund forms hotline at 212-539-0539. Important: If you have not previously enrolled, please click the UFT Welfare Fund Enrollment to enroll.
MEMBERS WORKING IN F- STATUS POSITIONS
The Fund wants to remind members working in a regularly scheduled part-time position (commonly known as F-Status) that we require notification of this status each term. F-Status members are entitled to In-Service Welfare Fund benefits if scheduled to work at least two and a half days per week. In order to access these benefits, members must have their payroll secretary fax to the Fund, a completed and signed “UFT Welfare Fund F-Status Notification Form” (including the number of days worked per week section). This form is only available to Payroll Secretaries.
DRUG PLAN MEDCO - 2/1/09
During non-business hours, members needing emergency assistance regarding their drug coverage may contact Medco Member Services at 1-800-723-9182.
Welfare Fund in-service members switch to Medco - February 1, 2009.In-service members are in the process of receiving their new Medco drug ID cards which become effective February 1, 2009. Members who have not received their new cards by January 19, 2009 can contact the Fund for assistance. Additionally, all eligible in-service members will also receive after January 15, 2009, a New York City PICA Drug Program card (issued by Express Scripts) which provides access to injectable and chemotherapy drugs. Members who have not received this PICA card by January 26, 2009, can contact the Fund for assistance.
DRUG PLAN INFORMATION
- All drug plan copays remain the same.
- Annual Maximum for co-payments
After a family has reached $1,000.00 in co-payments, no further co-payments will be collected except for those drugs obtained in Tier 3 where you are responsible for the appropriate co-payment.
- February 2009 Medco Retail Network Pharmacy Listing
- February 2009 Medco Red Apple Supplement
- February 2009 Medco Drug Formulary
- February 2009 Direct Drug Reimbursement Form
Express Scripts Security Breach
In November of 2008, we told our members about an extortion attempt at Express Scripts and the FBI has been working the case. At that time, none of our member’s personal information had been breached. Recently, the Fund was again alerted by Express Scripts (our former PBM) that a related attempt has occurred which the FBI is investigating.Express Scripts has already notified all of the relevant members that have been identified and has provided information to protect those members.
