The following email was sent to DOE-employed UFT members on Jan. 7, 2026 from Geof Sorkin, Executive Director of the UFT Welfare Fund:

Here is more information about how to get your prescriptions as an in-service member

We know there has been some confusion and misinformation circulating about prescription coverage, so we want to take a moment to explain what is — and is not — changing when it comes to getting your prescriptions filled. 

For the vast majority of prescriptions, nothing has changed. In-service members should continue filling prescriptions the same way they always have, without interruption. 

The only change affects a small number of medications covered by your Emblem plan, known as Affordable Care Act (ACA) or New York State‑mandated drugs, which typically include diabetes medication, contraceptives and low-dose statins. Even in these cases, the only change is that 90-day mail-order prescriptions for these specific medications will now be filled through Amazon Pharmacy. If you or your dependents take ACA or NYS‑mandated prescriptions, you can learn more on our website. 

For UFT in-service members, most drugs are covered through the UFT Welfare Fund. The Welfare Fund has not changed the process for filling prescriptions. 

If you receive prescriptions through the NYC PICA drug program, that process has also not changed and continues as usual. 

Please note: If you have tried to get prescriptions that are UFT Welfare Fund prescriptions (not in the ACA or NYS-mandated categories) through Amazon Pharmacy, you may have faced a problem. Continue to use Express Scripts for coverage of these medications! They are still covered the same way they were previously.

In summary: 

• UFT Welfare Fund: no change
• PICA: no change
• ACA/NYS:
  • Retail: no change, show your NYCE PPO or HIP HMO card
  • Mail order: now 90-day mail-order prescriptions are filled through Amazon Pharmacy 

If you have questions about your specific prescriptions, reach out using the contact information below. 

We will continue to communicate to ensure members have accurate information and uninterrupted access to their medication.

Have additional questions about your prescriptions?

• EmblemHealth’s pharmacy help desk at 866-799-7919.
• EmblemHealth at the number on the back of your medical ID card.
• Prime Therapeutics at 833-998-5430.
• UFT Welfare Fund at 212‑539‑0500.
• UFT Welfare Fund at rxhelp [at] uftwf [dot] org (rxhelp[at]uftwf[dot]org).
• We will regularly update our in-service prescription FAQs, so check back frequently