Any member who has ever contacted the UUP Benefit Trust Fund (BTF) about health-related benefits knows we don’t share this information easily. First, we verify the identity of the caller by asking for a name, address and NYSUT ID number. Once we have this information, we proceed to answer a member’s questions.

What many members may not know is that we cannot discuss benefits relating to other family members over age 19 without prior HIPAA authorization. HIPAA—the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act—is a federal law designed to safeguard personal health information such as medical conditions, treatment or payment for treatment.

The BTF must comply with these privacy safeguards. Questions that may seem innocuous—a spouse’s dental claim or a college-age dependent’s vision information—cannot be answered unless the BTF has a signed authorization on file.

The HIPAA form can be found at www.uupinfo.org/benefits/forms/Benefit Trust Fund HIPAA Authorization Form.pdf.

The first page asks for your name and the names of the people authorized to receive this information.

The second page asks what information you are authorizing the BTF to share. While the BTF doesn’t process claims, it does have access to all of your eligibility information. A member may authorize eligibility and/or claim information.

The final section asks how long you want to grant the authorization. You may indicate any length of time, but no more than two years from the date the form is signed.

The only thing left to do is sign and return the form, via fax or mail, to the UUP Benefit Trust Fund.

If you have any question about the BTF’s privacy rules, feel free to review the regulations at www.uupinfo.org/benefits/forms/Benefit Trust Fund Privacy Notice.pdf or call us at (800) 887-3863.

Remember, at UUP, it’s all about the members!

— Doreen Bango, Manager, Member Benefits and Services