Health insurance for UFT providers to begin in January

The health insurance negotiated for UFT-represented family child care providers in their first contract with the state will soon be a reality.

Providers will receive coverage through the UFT Family Health Plus program, a New York State-sponsored health insurance program offered exclusively to UFT providers through EmblemHealth’s Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP).

In addition to the medical benefits offered through this program, participating providers will also receive a powerful health care advocate in the form of the UFT. We know navigating the health insurance system can be tricky — which is why the union will be monitoring the UFT Family Health Plus program carefully, and will be ready and available to help any participant in it who feels he or she has not been treated fairly.

In order to be eligible for UFT Family Health Plus, you must be a UFT-represented family child care provider residing — and providing subsidized child care services — within the five boroughs of New York City and not already have commercial health insurance coverage.

All eligible providers must contact the UFT in order to be added to the program. If you already have Medicaid or Family Health Plus, the union will have you transferred to the UFT Family Health Plus program. If you do not already have Medicaid or Family Health Plus but are income eligible, we will help you apply for the UFT Family Health Plus program.

Providers who are not currently eligible for Medicaid or Family Health Plus and do not have other commercial health insurance will have their coverage under UFT Family Health Plus paid for with funds provided to the union through the contract. Please contact the UFT to be added to the program.

The union’s goal is to cover all providers who desire insurance by 2014.

In order to apply for coverage through UFT Family Health Plus, you must complete a health care coverage survey and return it to the union. You should have received the survey and a return envelope in the mail. If you did not, or if you need an additional copy, please contact the UFT Family Child Care Providers Chapter at 1-212-598-9288.

Unfortunately, the UFT Family Health Plus program is for UFT members only and cannot cover providers’ children or spouses. However, the application that you must complete to receive coverage through UFT Family Health Plus will allow us to determine if any of your family members are eligible for Medicaid, Family Health Plus or Child Health Plus. Any eligible family members can then be enrolled through HIP in one of these programs.

The benefits offered through the UFT Family Health Plus program are extensive, including primary, specialty, inpatient hospital and dental care, as well as prescription drug coverage. For details on benefits and co-pays, go to our health care facts page.

Visit www.emblemhealth.com to find a HIP network primary care physician or call HIP Customer Service at 1-800-447-8255 to get a copy of the UFT Family Health Plus Provider Directory. You can also contact the UFT at 1-212-598-9288 or HIP at 1-800-447-8255 with any questions you may have.