Feb 14, 2008 12:56 PM
The UFT Welfare Fund has announced it will begin mailing optional rider reimbursement checks at the end of February.
This year’s reimbursement is up to $660 for retirees whose optional rider or health plan deduction was in effect for all of 2007. Retirees whose rider or health plan was in effect for less than 12 months will receive reimbursement at the rate of $55 per month. If the monthly deduction was less than $55, the Fund will cover the full monthly amount.
Effective January 2006, retirees may be eligible for the optional rider benefit even if their health coverage is not from a New York City health plan. This benefit is available whether the retiree maintains the health plan or is covered under his or her spouse or domestic partner.
Reimbursement will be based on documentation showing direct payments or deductions for the health insurance plan. This documentation must be submitted along with a completed Optional Rider Claim Form each year. Different claim forms are required depending on whether the reimbursement is for a New York City health plan or for a non-New York City health plan. Both claim forms can be downloaded from the UFT Welfare Fund’s Web site at www.uftwf.org. Or call the Fund Hotline at 1-212-539-0539 to request the forms.
Any member who retired in 2007 and does not receive a reimbursement check by April 1 also may need to download or call the hotline for an Optional Rider Claim Form. Retirees submitting this form should allow at least four weeks for their benefit check to be processed.
Retirees who returned to work in positions that provide in-service prescription drug benefits and use this benefit will have their optional rider reimbursement reduced by the cost of the prescription drugs paid by the Fund, calculated on a month-by-month basis.