Thanks to the RTC and union’s advocacy, retirees with GHI Senior Care may now choose to purchase the 365‑day hospitalization rider separately from the prescription drug rider — you no longer have to buy both together. Learn more about this change and how to sign up for just the hospitalization rider below: 

What are the new options regarding insurance riders for the upcoming year? 

• You may continue to have the combined rider that includes prescription coverage and the 365-day hospitalization coverage.
• Or you can now purchase the 365-day hospitalization rider alone. *If you only choose the hospitalization coverage you MUST shop for a separate Medicare Part D drug plan on the open market so that you have prescription coverage (see below).

During the city’s November open enrollment period, you may make a change to your coverage and purchase the enhanced hospitalization coverage through the city and shop for a separate Medicare Part D drug plan elsewhere.

Please consider: Proceed cautiously if you are exploring dropping the prescription portion of the rider (your NYC Medicare Part D plan). There is risk involved. The GHI Senior Care Part D plan is very robust with both its formulary (list of covered drugs) and the size of its pharmacy network. Private Medicare Part D plans that may cost less will limit both of those factors. Additionally, the UFT Welfare Fund’s pharmacy team will be limited with how we can assist you should you experience an issue with a private Part D plan as a private plan will not converse with us.

If I want to keep both riders, is there any action I need to take?

If you are satisfied with your current coverage, no action is needed.

If I choose only the hospitalization rider, must I take any additional steps regarding prescription drug coverage? 

If you choose only the hospitalization rider, you must independently enroll in a Medicare Part D plan to maintain your prescription drug coverage in 2026. You can find information on Part D drug coverage and compare plans on the Medicare.gov website. The Medicare open enrollment period is active through Dec. 7.

If I decide to purchase just the 365-day hospitalization rider going forward, what do I need to do? 

1. During the November open enrollment period, go to the city’s OLR Health Benefits Program Retiree Application/Change Form online.
2. Fill in your personal information according to the form instructions.
3. There are only two check boxes on the form that you must fill in because the city has all your information on record, and they only need to know what you are changing.
4. In Section C on page 1, check the box “Annual Fall Transfer Period.”
5. In Section G on page 3, check the box “365 Day Rider (for GHI/Anthem Senior Care only)”
6. There is nothing else you need to fill out.

To ensure that your change form is received before the Nov. 30 deadline, upload it electronically through the secure OLR LeapFILE portal . OLR will email you a confirmation receipt. Or, you can fax the form to OLR at 212-306-7373.

If I make changes to my coverage, when will they take effect?

Any new changes, such as only purchasing the 365-day hospitalization rider, will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

If I am not enrolled in GHI Senior Care, does this new option apply to me? 

This new option only affects retired members who have GHI Senior Care. 

If you have any questions, please contact the UFT Welfare Fund at 212-539-0500 or email rxhelp [at] uftwf [dot] org (rxhelp[at]uftwf[dot]org).