Category Archive
Your prescription drug planOct 29, 2009
All eligible in-service UFT members and their dependents have prescription drug coverage through the UFT Welfare Fund. Here’s everything you need to know to take advantage of it.
Your prescription drug planOct 29, 2009
All eligible in-service UFT members and their dependents have prescription drug coverage through the UFT Welfare Fund. Find out tips for using your drug plan.
College student coverageOct 15, 2009
You must file proof of student status each year to preserve your child’s health benefits, it’s no longer automatic.
Dental careSep 17, 2009
The UFT Welfare Fund provides dental benefits through three types of programs: the Scheduled Benefit Plan, which offers more choices but can entail out-of-pocket expenses; Dentcare, a no-cost dental HMO; and the Florida Dental Discount Plan for year-round Florida residents.
Using the prescription drug planJun 29, 2009
As we head into summer, some of you will be heading out of town or even out of the country. Just remember to take care of your maintenance prescription needs before you pack your bags!
Death benefits for in-service membersJun 04, 2009
If you should die, in addition to whatever insurance coverage you may have, the UFT Welfare Fund provides a benefit that’s payable on a decreasing scale to the beneficiary of in-service members.
Keep your NYSUT Member Benefits Trust-endorsed programs if retiring or leaving the bargaining unitMay 21, 2009
If you are retiring, you must maintain your NYSUT membership as a retiree in order to continue participating in NYSUT Member Benefits Trust-endorsed programs. To do this, you must continue membership with the UFT as a retiree.
Discounts galore for educators: Web site builders, software, books and moreMay 21, 2009
Teachers are entitled to many bargains. Even building a teacher Web site to help reach out to parents and students can be free or very low cost.
COBRA keeps you coveredMay 07, 2009
Are you or a family member — because of a change of job or other life circumstance — going to lose your DOE-provided health insurance and UFT Welfare Fund benefits?
Health and Cancer HelpLine, Retiree Social Services: Just a phone call awayApr 30, 2009
Are you or a close family member struggling to cope with a health-related problem? The UFT has created social services to help that are free, strictly confidential and only a phone call away.
DOE discountsApr 02, 2009
Like all New Yorkers, you want to get it for less....check out these bargains for educators from the DOE.
Special coordination of benefitsMar 19, 2009
If you and your spouse or domestic partner are both UFT members, you don’t have to choose one or the other’s benefits — you have the benefit of both when it comes to certain Welfare Fund benefits.
Workers’ CompMar 05, 2009
If you are hurt on the job, there are certain procedures you should follow to ensure that you get all the benefits that you are entitled to.
Prescription drugs, Part 2Feb 19, 2009
Things to know to get the most from your program: bring a copy of your formulary to your doctor visits; review your Rx with your doctor; know your options for obtaining maintenance drugs.
Getting the most from your UFT dentalJan 22, 2009
The UFT Welfare Fund provides dental benefits through three types of programs: the Scheduled Benefit Plan, which offers more choices but can entail out-of-pocket expenses; Dentcare, a no-cost dental HMO; and the Florida Dental Discount Plan for year-round Florida residents.
Maternity and child care leavesDec 11, 2008
Are you pregnant or planning to start a family? Whether you’re the mother or father, find out what you need to know about taking time off to care for your baby.
Short-term disability planNov 20, 2008
In-service UFT members have the protection of a short-term disability plan that can provide valuable income when personal illness renders them temporarily unable to work.
Long-term-care insuranceNov 06, 2008
Long-term care is the type of help you would need if you required assistance with simple, everyday activities you now take for granted, such as eating, bathing or dressing.
Eyeglasses and contact lensesOct 23, 2008
The first thing you should do when you are thinking about buying new eyeglasses or contact lenses for yourself and/or someone in your family is to call the UFT Welfare Fund’s automated forms hotline at 1-212-539-0539 and request an optical certificate.
Child careOct 09, 2008
Do you spend a lot each month on child care? Is your out-of-pocket spending on health care adding up? You may be able to save hundreds of dollars a year in federal and Social Security taxes by enrolling in the city’s Flexible Spending Accounts program. The program allows public school educators and other municipal employees to use pre-tax earnings to cover dependent-care costs or medical expenses not covered by your health plan.
Transit ProgramsSep 25, 2008
Do you commute to your school each day by subway or local bus? You may be able to save more than $200 each year in taxes by participating in the city’s TransitBenefit Program.
Rate increase for Catastrophe Major Medical Insurance PlanJun 05, 2008
UFT members who have purchased the Catastrophe Major Medical Insurance Plan, endorsed by NYSUT Member Benefits Trust, will experience a premium rate increase of 6 percent.
CIGNA makes changes in health planJun 05, 2008
CIGNA HMO is becoming an Open Access Plus In-Network plan on July 1. This will allow subscribers to choose any doctor from a national network without referrals.
City health plans to change ratesJun 05, 2008
Each year at this time, New York City’s health plans announce rates changes that go into effect July 1. These changes affect in-service municipal employees and non-Medicare retirees.
COBRA keeps you coveredMay 22, 2008
Are you or a family member — because of a change of job or other life circumstance — going to lose your Department of Education-provided health insurance and UFT Welfare Fund benefits?
NYSUT, AFT also have you coveredApr 24, 2008
As a UFT member, you are eligible for an array of optional supplemental benefits offered through our umbrella labor organizations.
Domestic partner health benefits may be taxableFeb 14, 2008
The health benefits of domestic partners of UFT members are taxable income, according to the Internal Revenue Service, unless the partner is the member’s dependent for tax purposes. Members who have domestic partners who are not dependents will have the fair market value of the partner’s health benefits included as income on their W-2 forms, according to the UFT Welfare Fund.
Computer discounts — plus tech support and trainingOct 18, 2007
Teachers can buy reduced-price computers and software tailored to meet their needs through a program created by the New York State Teacher Centers.
Need help with a health-related problem? Call the UFT HelplineMay 10, 2007
Are you or a close family member struggling to cope with a health-related problem? The UFT has created social services to help that are free, strictly confidential and only a phone call away.
Get personal cell phone service for lessJan 18, 2007
As a Department of Education employee, you are eligible for discounts on personal cell phone service from the three major providers.
Welfare Fund increasing optical benefitsJul 11, 2006
The UFT Welfare Fund is increasing its optical benefits. The improved benefit includes a more extensive eye exam, expanded discounts for special features when using a panelist and an increased flat reimbursement from the current $40 to up to $75. The new plan goes into effect on April 1.
