WellNow Urgent Care
I want to make sure that you and your members are aware of a recent change regarding Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield and WellNow Urgent Care. Effective January 1, 2024, WellNow Urgent Care is no longer an in-network provider in the Excellus BueCross Blue Shield network. Neither NYSUT nor your district have anything to do with this change. It’s a matter between those two entities. You may have already received direct notice of this change if you utilized a WellNow Urgent Care within the past year.
I am writing so you’re aware that if you have Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance (such as a plan through FLASHP or RASHP) and visit a WellNow Urgent Care your visit will be considered out of network and you may need to pay more for that visit. You can visit ExcellusBCBS.com/CareOptions to learn about other options for Urgent Care that are in-network.
Again, this is a matter between WellNow and Excellus Blue Choice Blue Shield. I want your members to be aware of the change as many of us utilize urgent care centers in our region.
NYSUT Merchandise
We are pleased to announce our new NYSUT merchandise store, where you can access branded merchandise from NYSUT and our ongoing campaigns: Fix Tier 6, Public Schools Unite Us and more. We also offer a selection of our printed promotional and informational materials for campaigns, such as info sheets and Why-in-5 cards. Visit NYSUTstore.org.
NYSUT is sharing in the cost of these products for our locals. As a local president, you will receive a special, 30% discount on all items through the use of our Local President Discount Codes. Printed items are available to local presidents free of charge. Additionally, shipping on orders over $25 is free.
These special discount codes are just for you — local presidents ordering on behalf of their locals. Please do not share widely as they are intended to support our local leaders in running successful campaigns.
- Use code NYSUTLOCAL2024 for discounted pricing on clothing and NYSUT swag items.
- Use code NYSUTLOCALPRINTS to order Why-in-5 cards, one-sheeters, and other informational materials for your local at no charge.
Discount codes are also available upon logging into your My NYSUT account at NYSUT.org.
For any questions about items or ordering, please contact [email protected].
Disability
Important Deadline for Filing for Disability Retirement: Members Receiving Workers’ Compensation or Long-Term Disability Through a Private or Third-Party Administrator Must File by July 1, 2024
Please read this important notification of the filing deadline and share it with your payroll and benefits staff.NYSTRS members who are no longer able to work because of a serious illness or injury may qualify for a disability retirement benefit. Members are urged to contact NYSTRS to discuss eligibility and filing for disability retirement.This Administrative Bulletin is to advise NYSTRS employers of the requirements for filing for disability retirement and a time-sensitive filing deadline.Members with 10 or more years of service are eligible to file a Disability Retirement Application no later than 12 months after the last date they were on their employer’s regular payroll.Members who are no longer on their employer’s regular payroll and/or are receiving workers’ compensation or long-term disability payments from a private or third-party administrator (e.g., not paid directly by an employer or paid through accounts payable) must also file a Disability Retirement Application no later than 12 months after the last date they were on their employer’s regular payroll.Please Note: Any member who is currently not on your regular payroll and/or is receiving the aforementioned payments must submit their disability application to NYSTRS no later than July 1, 2024 (or 12 months after the last day they are on regular payroll, whichever is later). Failure to file by this deadline will deem the member ineligible to apply for a disability retirement.Please share this important information with your payroll and benefits staff to ensure any impacted members are notified in a timely manner. Questions regarding this Administrative Bulletin should be directed to our Disability Unit at (800) 348-7298, Ext. 6010.Disability Retirement FAQs1. How does a member file for disability retirement?A member seeking to retire for disability must file the Disability Retirement Application Package (RET-54.1). Members may file online via their MyNYSTRS account at NYSTRS.org. Alternatively, they may print the application from the Forms/Retirement-Related Forms page at NYSTRS.org and mail or fax the application to NYSTRS. Forms mailed to NYSTRS will be considered filed on the day they are mailed if they are mailed by registered or certified mail via the U.S. Postal Service, or by an equivalent delivery service that provides mail tracking and is approved for use by the System. See our website for a list of approved mailing and delivery services.2. What is the process once the application is received?Once NYSTRS receives a Disability Retirement Application (with all required medical documentation referenced therein) and confirms the member’s eligibility requirements, the application will be forwarded to NYSTRS’ Medical Board for review. The Medical Board may require the member to have an Independent Medical Examination (IME).3. What is the standard for determining disability retirement for Tier 4-6 members?In order for a Tier 4-6 member to be entitled to a disability retirement from NYSTRS, it must be determined the member is totally and permanently disabled (physically or mentally incapacitated from all gainful employment) and that the member was so disabled at the time they ceased teaching.4. How does an employer report payments for workers’ compensation to NYSTRS? Section 4: Reportable Salaries of NYSTRS’ Employer Manual addresses such payments (see pages 9-10). The Employer Manual is available in the Employers section at NYSTRS.org.