The Holidays and Your Wellness
The holiday season typically is a time of joyful celebrations with family and friends. Many people look forward to gathering, exchanging gifts, and celebrating traditions. A few things to keep in mind during this holiday season… - 1 in 3 Americans feel sad or lonely during the holidays. It’s normal…
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Be Sure to Update your Coordination of Benefits with Independence Administrators if you or an Eligible Dependent are Covered under Multiple Health Plans
If you or an eligible dependent are covered under multiple health plans, be sure to submit a Coordination of Benefits (“COB”) form to Independence Administrators (“IA”) so that your health insurance claims are processed properly. To submit or update your COB, you can: Call IA’s Customer Service Center at 1…
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December is Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month
WHAT IS SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. In most cases, SAD symptoms begin in the late fall and early winter as the days become shorter. As days become shorter, the lower levels of sunlight may affect your…
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Caregiving and the Holidays: From Stress to Success!
As we celebrate the upcoming holidays, take a moment to thank a caregiver. Most of us will identify with the role of caregiver at some point. Whether it is caring for a child, an ill loved one, or an aging family member, the reality of caregiving is often demanding and…
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Effective January 1, 2023: NYCDCC Welfare Fund’s Third-Party Administrator for Medical/Hospital Coverage to Change from Empire BCBS to Independence Administrators
Currently, the third-party administrator for the medical/hospital coverage provided by the New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund (the “Fund”) is Empire BlueCross BlueShield (“Empire”). Please be advised that, effective January 1, 2023, Independence Administrators (“IA”), a BlueCross/BlueShield Affiliate, will become the third-party administrator for the Fund’s medical/hospital…
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November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
Did you know that lung cancer is the #1 cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women in the United States? It develops when abnormal cells grow in either the lungs or the bronchi (the air tubes that lead to the lungs). Knowing your risk for getting lung cancer will…
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Be Sure to Check that your Vacation Bank Account Information is Correct in the Fund Office’s System prior to November 15th
Please be advised that, if you receive your vacation payments via direct deposit, you must make sure that your bank account information is correct in the Fund Office's system. In particular, if you want to ensure that you receive your "December" vacation payment without delay or interruption, you must make…
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UnitedHealthcare (“UHC”) to Offer Lifeline® Personal Emergency Response System (“PERS”) at No Cost to Covered Medicare-Eligible Retirees
We have great news for Medicare-Eligible NYCDCC Welfare Fund participants who are covered under UnitedHealthcare (“UHC”)! Effective January 1, 2023, UHC will offer Lifeline Personal Emergency Response System (“PERS”) at no cost to covered participants who wish to utilize the service. PERS is a system that allows users to ask…
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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
DID YOU KNOW? Mammograms have helped lower the number of people who died from breast cancer in the United States by 40%! Early detection saves lives! That’s why The New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund (the “Welfare Fund”) has partnered with Memorial Sloan Kettering, a world-leading cancer…
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The 21st Century Cures Act: Immediate Release of Medical Test Results
You may have recently noticed that you are receiving medical test results (via email, smartphone, medical chart applications, etc.) before your provider/doctor has had a chance to see or review them. This is due to a federal law called the 21st Century Cures Act (the “Cures Act”) which requires that…
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September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
The New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund (the “Welfare Fund”) is concerned about your and your family’s health and wants to ensure you and your family have the resources to navigate cancer at any age, including childhood. Our partner, Memorial Sloan Kettering ("MSK"), has the largest pediatric…
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Next Scheduled Vacation Payments to be Issued on or about September 1st
Please be advised that your "September" vacation payments, regardless of whether you are being paid via rapid! PayCard or direct deposit, will be issued on or about Thursday, September 1st. You should check your balance by end-of-day on the 1st to confirm receipt of your payment. You can do so…
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Preventing Cancers Caused by Human Papillomavirus (“HPV”) through Vaccination and Other Preventive Practices
The New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund (the “Welfare Fund”) is concerned about your and your family’s health and wants to ensure you are armed with information on how to protect yourselves from preventable cancers such as those from HPV. Human papillomavirus (“HPV”) and the cancers caused…
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Summer Promotions for Eyeglasses from CPS Optical
Great news for NYCDCC Welfare Fund participants and dependents! CPS Optical is now offering summer promotions (up until 8/31/22) for purchases of eyeglasses at CPS Optical locations. You can get $50 off transitions or a second pair of eyeglasses. To learn more, click the flyer below and/or visit www.cpsoptical.com.
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Save the Date: Picnic, Charity Softball Tournament, and Benefits Fair September 24th at Cunningham Park!
On Saturday, September 24th, 2022, the New York City District Council of Carpenters will be hosting a family picnic and charity softball tournament at Cunningham Park (Fresh Meadows, Queens, NY, 11366) beginning at 9:30AM. Additionally, the NYCDCC Benefit Funds will have a Benefits Fair available for you and your family…
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Skin Cancer Awareness and Sun Safety
The New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund (the "Welfare Fund") is concerned about your and your family’s health and wants to ensure you are armed with information on how to protect yourselves from preventable skin cancer. This July, we encourage you to be sun smart and follow…
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Effective July 1, 2022: NYCDCC Welfare Fund to Implement a Number of Improvements to Comply with No Surprises Act
The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that, effective July 1, 2022, the NYCDCC Welfare Fund (the "Fund") is implementing a number of improvements to the Plan to comply with the No Surprises Act (the “NSA”). The Summary of Material Modifications ("SMM") included below advises you of changes to…
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2022-2023 Charles Johnson Jr. Memorial Scholarship Winners Honored at Luncheon
After a two year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Charles Johnson Jr. Memorial Scholarship Luncheon returned! On Thursday, June 23rd, winners of the Charles Johnson Jr. Memorial Scholarship were recognized by the Board of Trustees at a luncheon in Manhattan. For those who may not be aware, the…
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NYCDCC Benefit Funds Launches Accessibility Widget for Website
The NYCDCC Benefit Funds is proud to announce that we have just launched an accessibility widget for our website. The widget, which comes by way of AccessiBe and is located on the bottom right corner of your screen, is meant to assist website visitors in experiencing content in the most…
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Board of Trustees Approves Benefit Improvement for NYCDCC Pension Fund Participants
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the NYCDCC Pension Fund is pleased to announce that on or about July 1, 2022, the current applicable benefit rate (“ABR”) for each benefit credit earned prior to January 1, 1999 will increase by 25% for active Participants and Participants in pay status.…
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