There are a few changes and improvements that I’d like to talk about this month.
Most notably, Empire Plan enrollees are now able to take advantage of a new Depression Management Program that offers education materials and services to help UUP bargaining unit members and their eligible dependents cope with the illness.
In addition, UUP members can use the Internet to review all Empire Plan benefit information.
Lastly, BJ’s Wholesale Club has made a change to its discount program.
Read on for more details.
Depression Management Program
The Empire Plan now offers a new mental health program — the Depression Management Program. If you or your dependents have received treatment recently for depression, you may be invited to participate in this program.
Participation is voluntary, free of charge and confidential. If you agree to participate, you will receive information to help you understand your condition. You will also be offered education materials and other services.
If you have any questions, please call the Empire Plan at (877) 769-7447 and choose ValueOptions.
Empire Plan At A Glance 2007
Did you know that we now have a direct link from the UUP Web site to the Empire Plan’s At A Glance 2007 guide? It’s quick and easy to review. Just go to www.uup-info.org, click on Benefits and then Empire Plan, and the link will bring the information up immediately.
The At A Glance 2007 publication gives Empire Plan enrollees a quick overview of their New York State Health Insurance Program (NYSHIP) coverage through the four main components: BlueCross BlueShield for the hospital benefits program; United HealthCare for the medical/surgical benefit program; ValueOptions for the managed mental health and substance abuse program; and Empire BlueCross BlueShield & Caremark for the prescription drug program.
Change in BJ’s Discount Plan
I would like to tell you that, effective Jan. 1, BJ’s no longer accepts membership applications online from the UUP Web site. This is due to a change in BJ’s corporate policy. However, I will be working closely with BJ’s representatives and all the UUP chapter offices to set up quarterly enrollments to be held at each and every campus.
Updated information will be sent to the campuses once the details are ironed out.
Also, BJ’s will continue to accept applications at campus benefit fairs and at UUP Delegate Assemblies.
All promotions will be at the current BJ’s corporate membership rate of $30 (plus New York state tax) for a 15-month enrollment.
Please do not hesitate to contact me or a Benefit Trust Fund representative at
(800) 887-3863 if you have any questions.
— Doreen Bango, Member Benefits manager