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Health Benefits

Geof Sorkin

Geof Sorkin
Executive Director, UFT Welfare Fund

UFT Welfare Fund contact information

The UFT Welfare Fund is here to assist you. Our health benefit representatives are available during our office hours of Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you require assistance, please call our main number at 212‑539‑0500. To request a health benefits form, please call our hotline at 212‑539‑0539.

You can also use the following email addresses to contact the Welfare Fund:

Should you require immediate assistance with a prescription drug issue outside of office hours, please call Express Scripts at 800-723-9182.

Manage your benefits

The Red Apple

Learn about the health benefits available to you and your family in the updated edition of the Red Apple.

Explore your benefits

Dental

Choose from two dental plans offered by the UFT Welfare Fund.

Optical

As a member of the UFT Welfare Fund, you and your eligible dependents can obtain optical services once every two years.

Hearing aid

All eligible UFT Welfare Fund members and dependents are covered for hearing aid benefits.

Coordination of benefits

When your spouse or domestic partner is also a UFT member, you will have certain enhanced Welfare Fund benefits.

Which health plan is right for you?

As a UFT member, you have a comprehensive health benefits package with a range of city health plans to choose from.

Compare city health plans

New and noteworthy

HSS Perform now available

UFT Welfare Fund members have access to concierge care from the Hospital for Special Surgery. Learn about this new benefit for our in-service and retired members. 

UFT increases Welfare Fund benefits

The UFT has enhanced its Welfare Fund optical benefit and hearing aid benefit for in-service members and retirees effective March 1, 2022.

Easier access to your optical benefits

The UFT Welfare Fund has introduced a three-step online process at GVSUFT.com to provide access to your optical benefits without the need for paper certificates. 

Frequently Asked Questions

A list of the most commonly asked questions.

Why does the UFT Welfare Fund death benefit decrease with a member’s age?

The death benefit was designed to provide a benefit to the beneficiaries of in-service UFT members. Younger members have not had the time to accumulate money in their retirement accounts and therefore, the highest amount paid is to the beneficiary of our youngest members.

How does a beneficiary file a death claim with the Welfare Fund?

A family member or beneficiary must submit a Welfare Fund Death Benefit Notification Form (available by calling the Fund’s Death Benefit Unit) along with a certified or original death certificate and the member’s original or certified birth certificate to the Welfare Fund. After verification of the information, the Fund will contact the beneficiary(ies) and process the claim payment.

Where can I go for my dental procedures?

You have options on how to receive your dental care. If you are enrolled in the Scheduled Benefit dental plan, the best choice would be a UFT Welfare Fund participating dentist. However, you can choose any non-participating dentist. See more information about your dental coverage options through the Welfare Fund. 

How much will my dental care cost?

A Dental Schedule on the UFT Welfare Fund website displays the charges and reimbursements for most procedures. If you use a participating dentist, the procedures in black are free while those in red require a co-payment. If you choose a non-participating dentist, the amount you will be reimbursed is listed.

Will I have to wait for a reimbursement after I visit a dentist?

If you see a participating dentist and authorize the dentist to be paid directly by CIGNA, there will not be a reimbursement to you. If you use a non-participating dentist, your claim will be processed and a reimbursement will be sent to you.