Benefits Available to DC-37 Members, Human Resource

Benefits Available to DC-37 Members

Health Insurance Coverage

DC-37 Health and Security Plan Benefits

Buy Out Waive Program

Long Term Care Plans

Pre-Tax Benefits/Flexible Spending Accounts

Pension Plan

FMLA

Tuition Assistance

Health Insurance Coverage

New employee packages contain a summary description booklet out lining the hospital and medical plans listed below that are available to Lehman College employees. Additional copies are available from the Benefits Officers in the Department of Human Resources, Shuster Hall, Room 203 or can be read or downloaded on-line at:
http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/olr/html/healthb/homepg.html

	Aetna US Healthcare HMO
	Aetna US Healthcare QPOS
	Empire Health choice HMO and EPO
	CIGNA HM0
	HIP Prime POS
	HIP Prime POS
	Physicians Health Services
	VYTRA (Queens and Long Island)
	GHI HMO Select
	GHI-CBP/EBCBS

Typical HMO plans and Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Point of Service (POS) plans are offered.

The City of New York pays 100% of the basic plan for GHI-CBP/EBCBS and HIP Prime HMO. The remaining plans require payroll deductions for the basic plan. Optional coverage may be purchased for some health plans through additional payroll deductions.

Each plan varies on the benefits offered. GHI is the only plan that does NOT offer annual physical if you are under 45 years of age.

You have the option of joining one of the above health plans. Coverage for you and your eligible dependents will begin on the effective date of your appointment if your enrollment application is completed with 30 days of that date. The definition of eligible dependents has been expanded to include a registered domestic partner. Coverage is not automatic. The required enrollment forms are available in the Human Resources Office. Proof of marriage and birth certificates for dependent children are required.

Whenever a Qualifying Event occurs such as a birth, marriage, or divorce, you have 30 days from the date of the event to add or drop and individual. Forms are available in the Human Resources Office. Proof of the event is required.

Once you select a plan, it cannot be changed until the official transfer period that is held in the fall semester. The change in plan becomes effective the first full payroll the following January.

DC-37 Health Security Plan Benefits

125 Barclay Street, New York, NY 10007
Benefits Phone Number (212) 815 - 1234

Eligibility - members of a collective bargaining unit represented by DC-37 New employees are eligible the first day of the month after completion of 90 days of continuous, full-time employment. children are covered to age 19. If they attend school full-time , they are covered to age 23. A totally disabled child is covered regardless of age as long as the disability began before age 19, or 23 if attending college. Part-time, White collar employees must work a minimum of 17/ 1/2 hours per week. Part-time Blue Collar employees must work 20 hours per week for the previous 90 days.

Benefits
(1) Dental Plan - Yearly maximum $ 1500. Options are:

	a)	Non - participating provider - use any licensed dentist. Reimbursement is based on fee schedule amount for covered services. Employee is responsible for the difference between the Plan's fee schedule and the dentist's charges. The employee fills out the claim form.
	b)	Participating Providers - list from DC-37's Plan Inquiry Unit (212) 815 -1531. Participating dentist accepts the Plan's fee schedule.
	c)	Obtain treatment from either of the two dental centers in the DC-37 Family Health Centers located at 115 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007 (212) 766 - 4440 or 186 Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 (718) 852 - 1400.
(2) Vision Care Benefit - Once every two years
	a)	Voucher - Request a voucher from the Union - accepted by participating optometrists, opticians or the DC-37 vision Center, 115 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007. Must used Voucher with in 90 days of issuance.
	b)	Direct Reimbursement - obtain Optical Benefit Reimbursement form from Plan Office. The Plan will reimbursement employee for expenses as per schedule in benefit booklet. The following services can only be filed for via direct reimbursement:
		contact lenses cataract single vision lenses cataract bifocal lenses cataract contact lenses
	c)	Supplemental Optical Benefit - only available at the DC-37 Vision Center, - once every 12 months for eye exam and change of lenses.
(3)	Prescription Drug Benefit - Annual Limit $50,000 per cardholder per year. Plan will only be responsible for paying for covered prescription medications at the generic rate except in the following situations:
	a)	no generic available
	b)	brand name deemed medically necessary

	Direct Reimbursement - If not using a participating pharmacy, have pharmacist complete a reimbursement form. The Plan will reimburse for an amount that is equal to the cost of the generic drug minus the $5.00 co-pay. Direct Mail Service Program - obtain up to a 3-month supply, For information and a Maintenance Drug mailer call (212) 815 - 1531 Managed care Program - members and dependents who together utilize more than $1000 will be in this program which is described in the benefit booklet available from the Union.
(4)	Disability Income Benefit 66 2/3% of weekly pay up to a maximum of $200 per week. Maximum benefit is 26 weeks. Must file for disability benefit with 15 days and meet guidelines.
(5)	Catastrophic Medical Benefit Supplement to GHI/CBP - annual catastrophic deductible is reduced to $ 1000.
(6)	Second Surgical Consultation Available regardless of health insurance carrier selected. Free second opinion prior to elective surgery. Must be obtained through the DC-37 Health and Security Second Surgical Consultation Unit for NYC Health line. For information, call (212) 815 - 1350.
(7)	Death Benefit $10,000 paid to beneficiary(ies) when employee dies.
	a)	Extended Death Benefit - available to employees under 55 who leave employment due to total disability.
	b)	Expanded Death Benefit - available to employees 55 or older who leave employment due to total disability.
(8)	Accidental Death, Dismemberment and Loss of Sight Bebefit -
	a)	$10,000 will be paid to beneficiaries if the employee dies as a result of an accident. In order to be covered, the death must occur within 90 days from date of accident and be a result of injuries sustained in that accident.
	b)	$5,000 for each lost limb or eye with a $10,000 maximum as a result of an accident.
(9)	Podiatry Benefit - maximum of 6 visits per year Only available to members using the Plan's two podiatry centers at DC-37's Family Health Centers located at 115 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007 (718) 625 - 2544. Includes:
	a)	podiatry exam
	b)	routine foot care
	c)	orthopedic care
	d)	general podiatric medical care

(10)	Audiology Benefits Available to members only and only at the Plan's Audiology Center, 125 Barclay Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10007 - bebefits include:
	a)	audiological evaluation
	b)	hearing aid evaluation and dispensing of hearing aid if necessary
(11)	Personal Services Unit A confidential service which provides counselors to assist with short term counseling, information regarding private or public social service and referral to community agencies. You can go in person from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon, no appointment necessary or call the apersonal Services Unit at: (212) 815 - 1260. Services include:
	a)	referrals
	b)	community resource information
	c)	individual and group counseling
	d)	wellness support group
	e)	workshops and conferences
	f)	outreach programs
	g)	health insurance and pension assistance
(12)	MELS - Municipal Employee Legal Services Benefit - advice, counseling and prepresentation including court appearance when necessary. Assist with the following services:
	a)	wills
	b)	debit problems
	c)	purchase of goods and services
	d)	evictions
	e)	divorce, separation and annulment
	f)	document review
	g)	credit rating
	h)	public utilities
	i)	government agency issues
	j)	defending lawsuits
	k)	referral service
	l)	real estate transactions
	m)	family court matter
	n)	adoption
	0)	guardianship
	p)	change of name
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(13)	Education Fund - New employees working in a covered job title become eligible for this benefit on the first day of the month after completing 90 days of employment. For information call (212) 815 - -1650
(14)	Tuition Reimbursement - undergraduate, graduate and post- graduate. $175 per term - maximum of 3 terms per academic year. Requirements
	a)	full-time employee employed for 90 days prior to the first day of classes
	b)	receiving credit towards a degree
	c)	grade C or better
	d)	complete application process within 120 days after the last day of class Members are also eligible for reimbursement for non-accredited or career or job related courses. For information call (212) 815 - 1663 , 1664

HEALTH BENEFITS BUY OUT WAIVER PROGRAM

If you opt not to join the health insurance program, you must complete a waiver form. Under certain circumstances you may be entitled to a cash incentive payment when you waive health benefits. If you have City coverage through another agency the incentive does not apply. For single coverage the incentive is $500 per year and $1000 per year for family coverage, paid in two installments. Proof of healthcare coverage plus family status, if applicable, is required.

LONG TERM CARE PLAN

The City of New York offers a long-term care plan to all CUNY employees. New employees are guaranteed acceptance if they enroll within 30 days of employment. Thereafter, employees may enroll at any time but will be required to provide medical evidence of good health. This plan may be paid for through payroll deductions. Premiums are based on each individual's age upon enrollment and the benefit option chosen. This plan is available to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, grandparents and grandparents-in-law.

Information on this voluntary contribution plan is available in the Department of Human Resources.

PRE-TAX-BENEFITS

A number of city benefit programs are designed to save employees money by offering pre-tax savings through payroll deductions, as follows:

The Medical Spending Conversion Program (MSC)

MSC allows employees who contribute to their health insurance plan to pay for this coverage on a pre-tax basis. Employees are automatically enrolled in the MSC benefit unless they elect otherwise by completing a form declining the benefit.

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNTS

The Health care Flexible Spending Account Program (HCFSA)

HCFSA allows employees, through pre-tax payroll deductions, to set aside money to pay for eligible health care expenses that are not reimbursable under their health and welfare insurance coverage.

The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DeCAP)

The DeCAP program allows employees, through pre-tax payroll deductions, to set aside money to pay for qualified day care, child care or in-home care for a disabled spouse or parent enabling the employee to work.

More information on these benefits and the necessary forms for enrollment are available through the Department of Human Resources.

PENSION PLAN

If you are appointed from a Civil Service list, you must enroll in the New York City Employee Retirement System (NYCERS) within 30 days of your appointment date. As a provisional or part-time appointee, participation in the retirement system is voluntary.

If you are already a member of the New Youk City Employee's Retirement System (ERS), you may continue your membership, by notifying your benefits representative. If you are retired and receive a pension from New York State or any of its political subdivisions, you may obtain approval to work without affecting your pension, but you cannot participate in our pension program.

TAX DEFERRED ANNUITIES (TDA) SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT ANNUITIES (SRA)

Members DC-37 may participate in a tax deferred annuity program known as a 403(b) plan. This plan allows participants to defer a percentage of salary before taxes through a salary reduction agreement. See the Benefits Officer for details by calling extension 8437 for an appointment.

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT (FMLA) OF 1993

Covered employees are eligible for Family Medical Leave if they worked for the college for a total of 12 months AND for at least 1,250 hours during the year preceding the effective data of the leave. The leave year for determining usage of the 12-week entitlement shall be the Academic Year: September 1 through August 31.

Permissible Reasons For Taking FMLA Leave:
1.	For birth of a son or daughter, and to care for the newbo
2.	For placement with the employee of a son or daughter for adoption or foster care
3.	To care for the employee's spouse, domestic partner, son, daughter, or parent with a serious health condition, and
4.	Because of a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the essential functions of his/her job.

Any approved leave for illness granted under the University's temporary disability leave provisions which extends beyond five days will be counted as part of the employee's FMLA entitlement, if it qualifies. Authorized absences for medical reasons, paid or unpaid, anticipated and unanticipated, which extend for more than FIVE days will be counted as FMLA leave from the beginning of the absence. A notification of such absences must be made to the College Human Resources Director. However, such notification whether written or oral does not amend or change the continuance of any and all internal college, Board of Trustees, CUNY Rules and Regulations, or contractual notification requirements currently in effect.

For anticipated absences a written request to cover such absences must be submitted to the College Human Resources Director at least thirty days before leave is to begin. However, such written application does not amend or change the continuance of any and all internal college, Boaed of Trustees, CUNY Rules and Regulations, or contractual notification requirements currently in effect. For unanticipated absences the College Human Resources Director must be notified when the absence is expected to continue, or has extended beyond three calendar days.

In instances where oral notification is given first it must be followed up by a written request. Failure to comply or submission of an incomplete request in a timely manner may result in the leave being denied.

Forms for you and your doctor to fill out are available in the Department of Human Resources.

TUITION WAIVERS

As a full-time employee you are eligible for tuition waivers for undergraduate courses at any CUNY college. There is a service requirement of one year. There is no limit to the number of credits you may take per semester. Summer session is included. For Gittlesons, the waiting period is 6 months and the waiver also applies for up to 6 graduate credits per semester. Summer session is for undergraduate courses only. Graduate courses require management certification forms with the course description and bursar's receipt attached. Tuition waiver forms are available in the Human Resources Office.

NEW YORK STATE COLLEGE CHOICE TUITION SAVINGS PROGRAM

The New York State College Tuition Choice Program provides individuals with the opportunity to save for a child's college expenses while gaining tax advantages. Participants may deduct up to $5000 of their contributions from their New York State taxable income. Contributions to the program may be made through payroll deductions or direct payment to the plan.

If you want more information about the program, call the College Savings Program at 1-800- NYSAVES. The Human Resources Office also has informational brochures, enrollment materials and payroll deduction forms for the program.

US SAVINGS BONDS

Bonds are available for purchase through payroll deductions. The phone number is 1-800-4USBOND. The school code is 70070. The Department of Human Resources has information about the program in the reception area.