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)

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NEW WELFARE FUND BENEFIT ENHANCEMENTS

Michael Mulgrew, Chair of the UFT Welfare Fund Trustees announced at the Delegate Assembly on November 18^th , a package of benefit enhancements offered by the UFT Welfare Fund.

These improvements will become effective January 1, 2010, and include:
• A new Child Care Welfare Fund Benefit
For members on child care leave, the fund will extend      Welfare Fund benefits for up to four months following the birth or adoption of a child. This Welfare Fund benefit extends existing fund coverage for members and their dependents.
• An increase in the optical benefit
The reimbursement amount will be increased to $100 once every two years (up from $75 every two years previously).
• An increase in the hearing aid benefit
The reimbursement amount will be increased from $500 to up to $1,000, once every three years. The special coordination of benefits(SCOB) for married UFT members will be up to $2,000.
• An extension of the UFT Welfare Fund Disability Coverage
Eligible members will now be able to collect up to 52 weeks of disability payments (up from the current 28 weeks).
• Expansion of the Florida Dental Panel to more than 500 dentists
Florida based retirees as well as in-service members traveling to Florida, will be able to take advantage of the New Florida PPO panelists and our Florida dental schedule with our existing copays.

• The retiree optional rider reimbursement will be increased to $720 for the calendar year 2009, up from $660 previously.

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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.

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
• 2010 Medco Drug Formulary
• Drug Reimbursement Form for in-service members