Benefits: Where do your benefits come from?

Recently, Liz Kahnle, UUP’s associate director of benefits, or I traveled to campuses with Negotiations Team members to discuss benefits. What we heard was some confusion about where benefits come from. For that reason, I would like to explain how you get each of your benefits.

Empire Plan — The benefits (including copayments) for the Empire Plan are negotiated and are described in Article 39 of the UUP contract. It is the state’s responsibility, through a bid process, to find carriers to administer the negotiated benefits. The deductibles and the maximum coinsurance (through previous negotiations) have been attached to the consumer price index and are adjusted each year.

HMO — The offering of HMOs is negotiated, but HMO benefits are not. New York state holds the contract with each HMO. Through the state/UUP Committee on Health, UUP participates in an annual HMO review process. In addition to determining which HMOs are offered, the committee reviews each HMO proposal to ensure that the HMO meets a minimum benefit level. Beyond the minimum benefit level, each HMO determines additional benefit offerings and copay amounts.

Dental — These benefits are provided through the UUP Benefit Trust Fund (BTF). The money to purchase these benefits is negotiated with the state and described in contract Article 40. The decisions on the dental company and the benefit level, including copays, are decided by BTF trustees. Benefits depend primarily on the cost and amount of money received through bargaining. The company administering these benefits is selected through a bid process.

Vision — Vision benefits are also provided through the BTF. The benefit level and copays are set by the trustees, with consideration given to the amount of money received through the bargaining process.

Scholarship — This program is also provided by the BTF, under the governance of the trustees.

Pension — Pensions are provided by state legislation and cannot be negotiated.

Retiree Dental — The Taylor Law prohibits UUP from negotiating benefits for retired members. UUP has contracted with Delta Dental to provide three dental programs that retirees may purchase. Retirees also have a chance to purchase plans through the state’s GHI program and through NYSUT’s MetLife program.

Health Care Spending Account (HCSA) — While UUP negotiated to have this program offered (under Article 39) to UUPers, the program is governed — and eligible expenses are determined — by the IRS.

Dependent Care Advantage Account (DCAAccount) — This program is also governed by IRS regulations, but funding for the employer contribution is negotiated by UUP (Article 21).

Sick Leave Exchange Program — SLEP was a new benefit negotiated under the current contract (Article 23).

Hopefully, this information helps you to find your way through the benefit maze. If you have any benefits questions, contact UUP Member Benefits at (800) 887-3863. You can also find a copy of the current UUP Bargaining Agreement on UUP’s Web site at www.uupinfo.org.

— Gail Maloy, Director of Members Benefits and Services