You cannot split the certificate by using it first for a checkup and then at a later date to purchase a hearing aid. The Welfare Fund recommends you use your medical benefits for a checkup or evaluation and use the certificate only when you are ready to purchase a hearing aid. That way, you'll get the most value from the certificate.

To take advantage of this benefit, the first thing you should do is order a Hearing Aid Certificate. The fastest way to get a certificate is to go to the Welfare Fund website and request a certificate online for each family member in need of the service. You also can call the UFT Welfare Fund's automated hotline at 212-539-0539.

The HCFSA is a flexible spending account for health care expenses. Here is how the HCFSA Program works:

First, you contribute before-tax dollars into your HCFSA account via automatic payroll deductions.

Next, in order to receive reimbursement, you must complete and submit an HCFSA program claim form with the following documentation for your non-reimbursed expenses: a receipt from your provider and an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement from your health insurance carrier(s) for any medical expenses, as well as an EOB statement for any dental, optical or hearing aid expenses that are not covered by your Welfare Fund (union) coverage.

Once your claim(s) are approved, you will receive a reimbursement check from your HCFSA, or you may elect to receive reimbursement via direct deposit. The amount of your reimbursement is free of federal and FICA taxes.

Enrollment in the HCFSA Program is not automatic. Re-enrollment is required each year by completing an FSA Program Enrollment/Change Form during the annual Open Enrollment Period. The Plan Year begins on Jan. 1 and runs through Dec. 31 of each year.

The annual contribution amount is limited to a minimum of $260 and a maximum of $2,650 (including an annual administrative fee no greater than $48).

Claims for OTC drugs must include itemized receipts showing the dates of purchase, drug names and amounts paid, and they must be accompanied by a prescription from your doctor (except for insulin). In certain situations, the HCFSA program may require additional information or documentation.

It is important that you estimate your annual expenses very carefully prior to electing a goal amount for each Plan Year. As mandated by the Internal Revenue Service, money that is not used for reimbursement by the end of the Plan Year, or the end of the Grace Period, is forfeited and cannot be carried forward to the following Plan Year. This is known as the "Use It or Lose It" rule. However, if you have a remaining balance in your Plan Year account at the end of the year, there is an HCFSA Grace Period during which you may submit claims for eligible expenses incurred from Jan. 1 through March 15 of the following calendar year, using any money remaining in your account.

To read more about the HCFSA program, go to the UFT website: https://www.uft.org/news/you-should-know/program-help-defray-your-medical-drug-and-child-care-costs.

DeCAP is a tax savings, payroll deduction program through which you may submit claims for reimbursement for child care services such as babysitting and summer day camp, or for the cost of caring for an elderly parent who spends at least half of the year living in your home. You may elect a goal amount between $500 and $5,000 per year to be taken from your paycheck free of federal and Social Security taxes for dependent care.

As mandated by the Internal Revenue Service, money that is not used for reimbursement by the end of the Plan Year or Run-Out Period is forfeited and cannot be carried forward to the following Plan Year. This is known as the "Use It or Lose It" rule. Please note that DeCAP does not have a Grace Period.

Detailed information and enrollment or claim forms may be accessed at the FSA Program website, or you may contact the FSA program at 212-306-7760.

Due to a negotiated citywide health benefit agreement, the PICA Drug Program, rather than the UFT Welfare Fund, covers two categories of drugs, Self-Injectable Medications and Oral Chemotherapy. For more information regarding this program call Express Scripts, PICAs and the Funds administrator, at 800-467- 2006 or visit the UFT Welfare Fund website.

There are two components to the Welfare Fund's plan that affect families with high drug expenses. These are the $1,000 copay cap and the Cost Care Program.

The trustees of the UFT Welfare Fund have instituted a copay cap for all eligible members and their families. Once your family's copays reach $1,000 in out-of-pocket expenditures, the rest of your drugs in Tier 1 and Tier 2 are free for the year. Copays must still be paid for Tier 3 drugs.

Families whose combined prescription-drug claim benefits exceed $1,200 (the total cost of the drugs paid for by the Welfare Fund) during the previous months of December through November automatically are enrolled in the Welfare Fund's Cost Care Program effective in January and receive a Cost Care drug card. (For members and an in-service spouse or domestic partner who is also a member, the threshold is $2,400, due to the special coordination of benefits.)

When a brand-name drug has an approved generic equivalent, you can still get the brand-name drug but you are responsible for the difference in cost between the two drugs in addition to the applicable copays (until you hit the $1,000 annual copay cap).

This difference is known as an ancillary fee and will be charged to you even if you hit the $1,000 copay cap. Your family's status is reviewed every 12 months; if your total claims fall below $1,200 ($2,400 for members with special coordination of benefits), you return automatically to the regular drug plan the following January.

The Welfare Fund has a three-tier copay structure for generic, preferred-brand and nonpreferred-brand medications. You can save money by using generics (Tier 1) or preferred-brand medications (Tier 2) whenever possible, but this is a decision between you and your doctor. Nonpreferred brand-name drugs (Tier 3 - those not listed on the Fund's formulary) have the highest copays.

At the pharmacy, if your doctor has not indicated that the pharmacist must dispense a brand-name drug, you will get a 30-day supply of a generic drug for $5 provided there is one available. (If your doctor insists on a brand name, there will be a higher copay.) At the pharmacy, you can get the first fill of your prescription and up to two refills if your doctor has indicated extra refills. After three refills, you must use the ESI Home Delivery Service (delivered to your home) for a 90-day supply of your maintenance medications (not controlled drugs).

The open enrollment period to change plans is Sept.1 - Oct. 15; changes take effect on Nov. 1. 
 
The UFT Welfare Fund provides dental benefits through two programs: the Scheduled Benefit Plan, which provides services through the Welfare Fund panel of dentists or a dentist of your choice; and Dentcare, a no-cost dental HMO.

Read more information about the two dental plans »

All eligible in-service UFT members and their dependents have prescription drug coverage through the UFT Welfare Fund. There are no waiting periods for this coverage.

In fact, after enrolling in the Welfare Fund, newly enrolled members who are awaiting their Welfare Fund Express Scripts (ESI) Prescription ID drug cards can purchase the prescription drugs they need and, once their cards arrive, submit the original receipts to the Welfare Fund for reimbursement.

All recommendations on an IEP, including the subjects and number of periods for ICT, must be determined by, and designed to address, the student’s needs, NOT the school’s needs. IEP recommendations must not be based on the services currently offered in a school, budget, availability of staff or space limitations.

There are legal guidelines regarding who writes the IEP and how it should be written as well as who can change an IEP and the process for making changes. All decisions regarding special education services are made at an IEP meeting with the participation of the parent, mandated IEP team members, and other participants which may include related service providers, other school personnel, and persons invited by the parent. After an annual review, changes that do not require the participation of the school psychologist or alter the student’s program recommendation can be made by amendment. In general, only minor changes should be made without an IEP meeting. When amending an IEP without a meeting, the IEP team must clearly notify the parents of all proposed changes using the Waiver of IEP Meeting to Amend IEP form found in SESIS. The proposed changes cannot be implemented until the school receives the parent’s written agreement If the parent does not agree or does not respond, an IEP meeting must be held.

Talk to your chapter leader or special education committee members if IEP decisions are being made in a manner not consistent with the information provided above. Ask your chapter leader to raise the issue at consultation. If the issue is not resolved, and you are the student’s teacher or service provider or an assessment professional with responsibility for the student, please file a special education complaint.