How to find a CSEA Employee Benefit Fund provider The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) is always looking for ways to expand our dental and vision plan provider network. In recent years, EBF staff has aggressively moved to recruit new providers in more rural areas and in out-of-state locations frequented by CSEA retirees. The EBF is proud of its network of dental and vision providers and works hard to maintain quality and service. In developing a provider network, the EBF strives to ensure that by using a participating provider, a member is taking advantage of a plan that is designed to be as cost-efficient as possible. By staying in-network and using a participating provider, a member has no deductibles because participating providers must agree to accept EBF payments as full payment for covered services. To search the listing of EBF providers, visit cseaebf.com and click on the “Provider Search” button on the home page and take the following steps to search for a provider: • Select dental or vision; • Select your search option: By municipality, county or find a provider’s name in alphabetical order; • Click the “Find Providers” underneath the search options. After performing your search, a map will appear along with the provider’s contact information. Clicking on the map will allow you to get directions to the provider office from your location. A full listing of the EBF’s provider guides for vision and dental are also separately available on the EBF website. Empire Plan enrollees receive letter regarding Excellus BlueCross BlueShield cyber attack Anthem (the parent company of Empire BlueCross BlueShield) is currently in the process of mailing letters of explanation to Empire Plan members whose personal information may have been accessed during a sophisticated cyber attack, against Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, which was previously reported to media outlets on September 9, 2015. These letters will help to explain Anthem’s relationship with Excellus and why your data may have been in Excellus’s system. It is important to note that Anthem is neither owned nor operated by Excellus. Excellus is a separate company with which Anthem works to administer certain parts of your health care plan when you receive health care services in upstate New York. This affiliation enables BlueCross and BlueShield members to receive the high-quality, affordable health care they need, wherever they are. Your information may have been in Excellus’s information technology systems because you received health care services in the Excellus service area. It is also important to note that the Excellus cyber attack is not the same as the cyber attack against Anthem (the parent company of Empire BlueCross BlueShield), about which you may have been notified earlier this year. For more information about the sophisticated cyber attack against Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, visit excellusfacts. com or call 877-589-3331, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Break in membership affects eligibility for union office, voting privileges A break in union membership status can have long-term future implications. Your membership status affects your eligibility with respect to: • Seeking or holding union office; • Signing nominating petitions for potential candidates; • Voting in union elections; and • Voting on collective bargaining contracts. Only members “in good standing” can participate in these activities. To be in “good standing,” your dues cannot be delinquent. If you go on unpaid leave or for any other reason have a break in your employment status, your dues will not continue to be paid through payroll deductions. You must make arrangements to pay your dues directly to CSEA to continue your membership status. If you are either laid off or placed on leave without pay status due to becoming disabled by accident, illness, maternity or paternity, you may be eligible for dues-free membership status for a period not to exceed one year. If you are called up for active military duty you may also apply for dues-free status. Note, however, you must continue to pay dues to run for office. Dues-free or gratuitous membership allows members to continue their insurance coverage while out of work. It does not protect your right to run for or hold office. This does not apply to members who are on leave due to being called up for military duty. Members on active duty, upon return, are considered to have had continuous membership status for all CSEA election purposes. Please notify the CSEA Membership Department at 1-800-342-4146, ext. 1327, of any change in your status and what arrangements you are making to continue your membership in CSEA. December 2015 The Work Force 15
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