new teacher q & a
What health plan choices do I have? Which one is right for me? How can I change my health plan?
Sep 20, 2007 5:27 PM
A: Unlike a growing number of working Americans, UFT members have the security of excellent basic health-care coverage. By now all newly hired teachers should have enrolled in a health plan. If not, ask your school payroll secretary for the Department of Education’s ERB-2000 enrollment form and be sure to enroll within 30 days of your first day on payroll. Although it takes a few weeks for your form to be processed, you are covered by your health plan from your first day on the job. Your plan provides hospitalization and medical coverage for you, your spouse or domestic partner, and your eligible dependent children.
There’s a wide array of health plan choices, from premium-free health care from HIP Prime HMO or basic GHI-CBP to all sorts of options at extra cost. For example, some plans have more participating doctors than others, some allow you to use non-participating physicians (sometimes with restrictions), and they vary in their premiums and deductibles.
To learn more about each plan, check the city’s current Summary Program Description, available online. Also, consult the comparison chart included in the “Health Benefits Checkup” supplement inserted in this issue. Of course, if you or people you know are pleased with certain doctors, you can ask which plan they participate in and consider enrolling in it.
You can switch your health plan during the annual transfer period, which this year runs from Nov. 1-Nov. 30. If you have further questions, call your UFT borough office.
