The Voice

I am happy to tell you about some of the new Empire Plan benefits that were negotiated as part of the 2007–2011 agreement between UUP and the state.

Here are some of the highlights:

Bargaining unit members are encouraged to take advantage of the discount programs endorsed by NYSUT Member Benefits Trust. For information about these programs and how to receive member-only discounts, contact NYSUT Member Benefits at at www.memberbenefits.nysut.org, at (800) 626-8101 or by e-mail at benefits@nysutmail.org.

Note: Programs accompanied by an asterisk* require a special discount code or ID number — contact NYSUT Member Benefits for information.

Bose — Special pricing on Bose consumer products, including music systems, computer speakers and home theater systems. Receive the discount by ordering from Bose toll-free at (877) 709-2073.

Dell Computers* — Receive discounts from 2 percent to 6 percent when making system purchases. The discount applies to new purchases of select computers and laptops and from discounted bundled selected systems preconfigured by Dell.

The officers are pleased to announce that as of April 1, active part-time UUP members who are currently ineligible for dental and vision benefits will be able to purchase these benefits through our new UUP Part-Time Dental and Vision plans. These plans are administered through the UUP Member Services Trust Fund.

Members interested in one or both of these plans should go to the UUP Web site "www.uupinfo.org" select Benefits and then select Part Timers. There you will find all the information you need: program details and rates; highlights of the dental and vision plans; and enrollment and claim forms.

This is an exciting opportunity for UUP part-timers.

For more information, call a UUP Benefit Trust Fund representative at (800) 887-3863.

Also, I'd like to remind you that the retiree dental plan has switched to Delta Dental, effective April 1.

Please note that there will be no change in the actual benefit just a change of administrators, from CIGNA Dental to Delta Dental.

If you need to rent a truck, be sure to contact Budget Truck Rental. The trustees of NYSUT Member Benefits Trust recently endorsed a discount program with Budget Truck Rental, through which bargaining unit members can save 20 percent.

The discount applies to any local or one-way rentals. The Member Benefits discount number is 56000070789.

The discount is only valid when making a reservation through the Budget Truck Reservations Center, which can be accessed by phone or online. The toll-free number is (800) 566-8422. To access the Center online, members must link to it from the Member Benefits Web site, www.memberbenefits.nysut.org. The link brings members to a special Budget site for NYSUT members, where the discount is automatically included.

Budget Truck Rental has more than 2,800 locations nationwide and provides roadside assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

As you may know by now, Delta Dental is the new dental provider for UUP.
For your convenience, I put together a list of FADQs — Frequently Asked Dental Questions!

When will UUP make the switch to Delta Dental? April 1, 2008.

How will our dental benefits change with Delta Dental? Only for the better. We have added coverage for TMJ, an additional annual cleaning during pregnancy, and we have streamlined the orthodontic reimbursement process. And remember, you continue to be eligible for two cleanings per calendar year at any time during that year.

Will we still be able to visit the dentist of our choice? Yes, the Delta Dental Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) program allows you the freedom to visit any dentist — in or out of the Delta Dental PPO network. However, you should be able to find an in-network dentist with the large number of dentists that participate in the Delta Dental PPO program.

The Catastrophe Major Medical Insurance Plan, endorsed by NYSUT Member Benefits Trust, is designed to help pay catastrophic bills that can push expenses beyond what basic health insurance allows. It provides coverage for extraordinary medical expenses not covered by hospitalization, HMO or major medical insurance, including Medicare.

For this reason, the plan includes a $25,000 deductible. Eligible medical expenses paid within a 36-month period by basic health insurance, as well as those paid out-of-pocket, count toward meeting the deductible. Once the deductible is met, the plan provides up to 100 percent coverage for reasonable and customary eligible expenses, up to $2 million in benefits for up to five full years from the date the first eligible expense was incurred toward the deductible.

UUP members can take advantage of AFT Advantage, the latest benefit available to members on the AFT members-only Web site at www.unionvoice.org/ct/ x71cCwF1iclh/.

AFT Advantage is a special area that gives union members access to exclusive discounts and privileges at top-name retailers, online stores and local merchants.

Members can receive discounted prices on items ranging from electronics and jewelry, to women’s clothes and accessories, to wine and travel. Members will be asked to enter their name and NYSUT membership number.

Other online benefits include:

• AFT Member Account Information — Correct member data is vital to the success of the union. Members can make sure the AFT has their latest contact information.
• AFT + Member Benefits — Discover all the discounts, services, insurance, financial and travel programs available to AFT members as a benefit of membership.
• AFT Voices — Members are invited to speak out on a variety of topics, from workplace safety to early childhood education.

Even if you’ve already broken one or two New Year’s resolutions, it doesn’t mean you can’t make one more. NYSUT Member Benefits Trust endorses a plan to help members actually achieve it.

Members who do not have a will, or who have one but need to update it, are encouraged to do it as soon as possible. The importance of having a will to protect members’ loved ones and personal wishes cannot be stressed enough.

This is especially true for members with children under the age of 18 or who have dependents with special needs. A will allows members to legally name a guardian(s) for their children. It also ensures that estates will be distributed according to the members’ wishes. Without an executed will, these very important, personal decisions are made by the state.

The Member Benefits-endorsed Legal Service Plan provides one simple will or update, at no charge. Enrollees also receive access to unlimited, toll-free legal advice from plan attorneys, who will make phone calls and write third-party correspondence, at no charge, to resolve legal situations before they become major problems.

Empire Plan prescription drug programs to be administered by UnitedHealthcare and Medco

Effective Jan. 1, 2008, UUP members in the Empire Plan are able to use a new prescription plan. UnitedHealthcare will insure and administer The Empire Plan Prescription Drug Program and partner with Medco Health Solutions for retail pharmacy network and mail pharmacy services.

This change does not affect members who are enrolled in an HMO for 2008.

The auto and home insurance program endorsed by NYSUT Member Benefits Trust offers special group rates and additional discounts for UUP bargaining unit members. The program is provided by MetLife Auto & Home.

Through a recently adopted underwriting system, many members are saving money on their auto insurance policies. In addition, the group rate assigned to Member Benefits for homeowners insurance in New York state was recently reduced another 10 percent.

Members who haven’t compared their auto and home insurance policies with the endorsed auto and home program are encouraged to call Met’s toll-free number, (800) GET-MET 1, and request a free, no-obligation quote. This number can also be used to apply for coverage, receive customer service and report claims.

Convenient payment options include payroll and pension deduction for eligible members; ExpressIt® monthly deduction from a checking account; direct bill; and mortgagee billing for home/condo insurance.

Met’s 24-hour claim reporting service provides enrollees with around-the-clock convenience and peace of mind.