new teacher articles

Union benefits really add up

Aug 13, 2009 3:26 PM

As a UFT member, you have an outstanding package of health and Welfare Fund benefits that add thousands of dollars to the value of your salary.

As a full-time teacher you have a choice of health plans to cover you, your spouse or domestic partner and your dependent children. In addition, as a member of the UFT Welfare Fund, many benefits are available to you and your dependents to supplement your health plan. They include:

• Prescription drugs
• Dental coverage
• Disability — member only
• Death benefit — member only
• Hearing aid
• Optical benefit

Benefits start on day one

You are entitled to your New York City health and Welfare Fund benefits from the first day of your employment. However, it takes time to process your enrollment and issue your cards. To avoid any substantial out-of-pocket medical expenses, be sure to enroll immediately in both the health plan and the UFT Welfare Fund [see below for enrollment details].

What should you do if you need covered medical care or prescription drugs while you are waiting to receive your health plan and UFT Welfare Fund prescription drug card?

First, get the care or drugs you need.

For health care, try to consult a physician who participates in the health plan you enrolled in because, depending on the plan you choose, you may or may not be reimbursed if you use an out-of-network doctor. Show the doctor your completed ERB enrollment form [see below] with the effective date and ask if billing can be delayed until your card arrives. If you must pay, get a receipt so you can be reimbursed by your health plan, less any deductible and co-pay.

For prescription drugs, keep all receipts of your out-of-pocket costs. Once your UFT Welfare Fund card arrives, just send your original receipts to the Fund (be sure to keep a copy for your files) and you will be reimbursed, less the co-pay.

Enrolling in the NYC health plan

To enroll in the health plan of your choice, you must complete a Department of Education ERB enrollment form, which is available from the payroll secretary at your school. Complete and submit this form immediately. You will need to show copies of marriage certificates, domestic partner letters or birth certificates to cover your eligible dependents. Don’t forget to keep a copy of all of your completed forms in your personal file at home.

You can choose among several types of health plans. To help you make an informed choice, consult the following resources:

• Review the Comparison of Health Plans Chart that describes the different plans. It is available on the UFT Web site: go to /member/benefits/Q-A/ and then click on Comparison of Health Plans. The New York Teacher also publishes this chart in the fall and UFT chapter leaders usually display it in each school. If you don’t see the chart, ask your chapter leader, who is a good source of information about your health coverage options.
• The New York City Health Program prints a booklet called the “Summary Program Description Booklet.” This is available online at /member/benefits/Q-A/, then click on NYC Summary Program Description. This will take you to the New York City Office of Labor Relations Web site. Once there, scroll down to the Health Benefits Program.

Enrolling in the UFT Welfare Fund

The union provides an array of other benefits to supplement the health plan coverage that you and your eligible dependents receive from the city — but only if you enroll in the UFT Welfare Fund. Remember that this enrollment is separate from your health plan enrollment, mentioned above.

There are two ways to enroll:

First, you can enroll online at www.uft.org. (You will need to sign up on the UFT Web site.) Then click on Welfare Fund and scroll down to “click here to enroll.” This is the fastest way to complete your enrollment.

Second, you can complete and submit a hard-copy UFT Welfare Fund enrollment form along with any necessary documentation for your dependents. You can get an enrollment form at your school from your UFT chapter leader or by calling the Fund forms hotline at 1-212-539-0539.

Once you have enrolled, the Fund will send you a copy of its benefit booklet, the “Red Apple,” which explains in detail all your UFT Welfare Fund benefits. You can also find this booklet by going to www.uftwf.org, then clicking on Red Apple (In-Service) on the left.

Help with health questions

The trained professionals who staff the union’s Welfare Fund can assist you in solving most health-insurance-related problems. For general assistance, please call 1-212-539-0500. For forms, including optical and hearing aid vouchers, you can call our 24-hour automated forms hotline at 1-212-539-0539.

The Fund is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. However, staff handle only emergency calls during lunch hour, from 1 to 2 p.m.

Health benefit checklist

Health Plan: Did you file the ERB form with your payroll secretary to enroll in your health plan?

Welfare Fund: Did you enroll online or send your completed Welfare Fund enrollment form to the UFT Welfare Fund, including copies of marriage and birth certificates?

Prescription Drugs: Are you keeping the original paid pharmacy receipts — which should include the name, strength and quantity of the drug and the price paid — so that you can be reimbursed once your UFT Welfare Fund prescription drug card arrives?

Personal File: Did you make copies of all of the forms you completed and submitted and did you place them in your personal file at home? This will expedite any assistance you may need should you have a problem.