Workforce Articles
EBF Programs help put "spring" in contract benefits
As the winter comes to a close, spring life and renewal. In many local government units, spring also means gearing up for upcoming contract negotations.
While wage increases are often a priority, a number of negotiating teams have turned their focus to health related benefits for richer contracts. Health related auxillary benefits such as dental and vision keep our members healthier, improve our member's quality of life, save on out-of-pocket costs for health services, and keep health care costs down by promoting whole health.
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund has been providing benefits to CSEA members since 1979 and has been able to offer a variety of benefits to fit the diverse needs of counties, towns, villages and school districts during contract negotiations. Here are some of the programs we offer:
Dental Plans
EBF offers four dental plans with escalating annual maximums and orthodontic maximums. Each of our plans reimburse according to a fee schedule at a non-participating dentist. Our participating providers accept our fee schedules as payment in full for covered services resulting in no out of pocket payment for you. There is no deductible for any of our plans in or out of network. Our plans are designed to maintain your oral health and to save you and your family money.
Vision Plans
We offer three levels of vision plans on either a 12 or 24 month basis. Each plan covers an eye examination and a pair of glasses or an initialy supply of contact lenses. Members pay no out-of-pocket expenses if they stay within our substantial lens and frame collections. Services can be expanded to include anti-reflective coating, high index lenses, polarized lenses, photo-sensitive lenses, ultraviolet coating and even an additional pair of "occupational" glasses for the member.
Hearing Aid Benefit
This plan provides an allowance of up to $450 per year towards the cost of a hearing aid once every three calendar years.
Legal Benefit
Members can be reimbursed up to $1,000 annually for covered legal services. Members retain the right to choose any attorney according to individual need and type of case.
Maternity Benefit
This $200 benefit helps to cover some of the costs for maternity care upon the birth of a child.
Prescription drug co-payment reimbursement
This benefit reimburses co-payments and other out of pocket costs for prescription drugs not covered by the member's regular prescription drug plan once annually up to $200 per family, per calendar year.
Physician co-payment reimbursement
This benefit reimburses the member up to $125 per family per year for co-payments associated with office visits.
Annual Physical Benefit
This benefit reimburses up to $95 annually for out of pocket costs (charges not covered by your primary insurance carrier) for a routine annual physical. Remember, these benefits and their costs must be negotiated into your collective bargaining agreement.