The annual Health Benefits Transfer Period is this November, and it continues to provide a newer option for UFT retirees who are on Medicare and in EmblemHealth’s GHI Senior Care plan.
Historically, New York City coverage for the GHI Senior Care Medicare Part D prescription coverage and 365-day hospitalization coverage were combined in one optional rider. Declining drug coverage meant you automatically declined the extended hospitalization benefit.
UFT President Michael Mulgrew, UFT Welfare Fund Executive Director Geof Sorkin and the UFT’s Retired Teachers Chapter health care subcommittee successfully pushed for allowing retirees to decouple the two benefits. They can now maintain the 365-day hospitalization, decline the city’s Part D rider and shop on the open market for a private Medicare Part D drug plan. The change, which took effect in late 2025, comes as the cost of prescription drugs continues to rise across the country.
At the RTC’s first meeting of the year on Oct. 13, a guest speaker from the Medicare Rights Center will provide a Medicare Part D update and discuss how to find a prescription drug plan on the open market.
“The fact that the Part D plan has gone up over the last couple of years has now made it really attractive for people to explore the new option,” RTC Chapter Leader Bennett Fischer said.
The drug plan premiums for Senior Care Medicare Part D have increased from about $130 a month per person to about $180 monthly, according to Fischer.
The UFT Welfare Fund cannot provide guidance on finding a private Medicare Part D drug plan. Sorkin recommends that retirees who pursue that open-market option proceed cautiously since:
- A less-expensive plan likely will not be as robust in terms of covered drugs and the size of the pharmacy network.
- The UFT Welfare Fund’s pharmacy department will not be able to assist with pharmacy issues because a private plan will not converse with staff.
- While the UFT Welfare Fund will continue to reimburse members who obtain their own drug plan up to $900 a year for Part D prescription drugs, the process is not automatic as it is now. Retirees will have to file a separate form with the UFT Welfare Fund.
To purchase the 365-day hospitalization rider only for 2027, which costs a few dollars a month, visit the New York City Office of Labor Relations website during the transfer period and search “Retiree Health Benefits Application/Change Form.” Members can call the Retiree Health Benefits Information Line and speak with a client service representative between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays, except holidays, at 212-513-0470. Inquiries and questions can be emailed to healthbenefits [at] olr [dot] nyc [dot] gov (healthbenefits[at]olr[dot]nyc[dot]gov).
If you decide to sign up for 365-day hospitalization coverage only, be sure to then go to the open market and enroll in a new private Medicare Part D drug plan ASAP so you are not without coverage.
If you are satisfied with your current drug coverage, you don’t need to do anything. Your current coverage will automatically carry over.
You can contact the UFT Welfare Fund at 212-539-0500 or email rxhelp [at] uftwf [dot] org (rxhelp[at]uftwf[dot]org).