Jul 11, 2006 4:22 PM
The UFT is infusing $15 million into the union Welfare Fund to improve dental benefits for members, UFT President Randi Weingarten announced at the May 17 Delegate Assembly.
Half of the money will go to increasing payment rates for dentists participating in the UFT dental plan, which will help shore up a viable panel of dentists. The other half will defray the out-of-pocket costs for members who choose to see other dentists by increasing the reimbursement rates for cleanings, X-rays and other dental procedures, she said.
The new rates, which represent an approximately 20 percent increase, will take effect on July 1.
An updated dental schedule will be available on the UFT Web site and mailed to all members in June.
“I’ve received lots of complaints about the dental plan,” Weingarten said. “By using the welfare funds carefully, we found a way to improve it.”