Page 17 - Work Force February 2021

Free college program helped Austin reach new heights
WHITE PLAINS — Jaynean Austin has more than 20 years’ experience as a teaching assistant under her belt, but an opportunity through our union to earn her associate degree has helped take her skills to a higher level.
Austin, a CSEA White Plains School District Unit member in Westchester County, earned her degree in early childhood education from Eastern Gateway Community College
(EGCC) through the AFSCME Free College Benefit, which allows CSEA members and their eligible family members to earn a college degree and certifications at no cost to the member.
With previous college credits factored in and the flexibility of the online program at EGCC, Austin was able to complete her degree in just three semesters while working full time and maintaining a part-time second job.
“For CSEA members looking to
enhance their lives and further
their careers, this is the perfect opportunity,” said Austin. “I encourage other members to take advantage of what is offered to us through our union, so you don’t become stagnant and stay in one place. You don’t have to stop working to continue your education. I did both and was able to do it in a timely manner.”
Not only was the opportunity to earn a degree at no cost a draw for Austin, she also appreciated the fact that online learning at EGCC allowed to her to continue classes even when real-life hurdles arose.
“It really was a lot more flexible than being in the classroom,” said Austin. “My mother wound up in the hospital with some procedures that needed to be done. She didn’t want me to miss class and I wasn’t going to not be there for her. While she was in the operating room, I was in
the waiting room taking an exam. If I’d been doing traditional in-person learning, I would have had to miss classes and wouldn’t have passed.”
Austin complimented the staff at EGCC, saying the college’s academic advisors helped ensure her prior college credits were applied toward her degree, and that professors were always available and responsive when she had questions.
While Austin completed her degree before the COVID-19 pandemic, she said what she learned in her classes has maximized her effectiveness as a teaching assistant working in a hybrid learning environment.
“With this program helping me
to better understand certain things, especially the latest educational lingo, I am able to more effectively carry
out the teachers’ lesson plans,” said Austin. “I know how to push the kids forward. I know how to break things up, so if a student isn’t understanding
something, I know how to simplify it. I can also communicate more effectively with the teachers about the students’ needs.”
Those skills are especially important as students adjust to online learning. While teachers carry out lesson plans, Austin will often
go into a separate video conference “breakout room” with students needing extra help reinforcing certain skills.
Seeing the results in her own career, Austin said the AFSCME Free College Benefit is a great option for anyone wanting to start or finish a degree program.
“It always seemed like every time I was enrolled in in-person classes, something happened with my family and I had to stop,” Austin said. “This time, things were happening, but it was a matter of taking my iPad along with me.”
— Jessica Ladlee
EBF offers co-payment reimbursement benefits to eligible members
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund offers different prescription drug and/or physician co-payment reimbursements if they have been negotiated into your collective bargaining agreement.
These valuable benefits reimburse you once annually for co-payments spent per calendar year. The deadline for the 2020 calendar year is March 31, 2021. Here is an overview of the plans:
Prescription Drug Co-Pay Reimbursement for New York State Employees
Members who are enrolled in the New York State Health Insurance Program (either the Empire Plan or a health maintenance organization) are entitled to reimbursement once annually for NYSHIP prescription drug co-payments and covered prescriptions less than the co-payment for themselves and their eligible dependents.
Once co-payments reach $300, the next $300 in prescription drug co-payments is reimbursable. If you did not accumulate $600 by Dec. 31,
February 2021
2020, submit your claim for what you did pay over $300. The deadline for the 2020 calendar year is March 31, 2021.
Prescription Drug Co-Pay Reimbursement for New York State Liquidation Employees
Members who are enrolled in the New York State Health Insurance Program (either the
Empire Plan or a
health maintenance
organization)
are entitled to
reimbursement once
annually for NYSHIP
prescription drug co-payments and covered prescriptions less than the co-payment for themselves and their eligible dependents.
Once co-payments reach $300,
the next $100 in prescription drug co-payments is reimbursable. If you did not accumulate $400 by Dec. 31, 2020, submit your claim for what you did pay over $300. The deadline for the 2020 calendar year is March 31, 2021.
UCS Combined Co-Pay Benefit
Effective Jan. 1, 2020, the Unified Court System has upgraded the co-payment reimbursement to cover all out-of-pocket medical expenses not payable by health insurance
and increased the maximum to $350. This includes all co-payments and deductibles the member is responsible for, both prescription
drugs and medical visits. The claim can
be any combination of prescription drug and/or physician co-payments totaling the maximum reimbursement of $350.
The deadline for the 2020 calendar year is March 31, 2021.
UCS Retiree Co-Pay Benefit
The Unified Court System
Retiree Co-Pay Benefit reimburses prescription drug co-payments only up to a maximum of $100. Physician co-payments for office visits are reimbursed up to a maximum of $125. The deadline for the 2020 calendar year is March 31, 2021.
Local Government Co-Pay Benefit
For local government employees who have a negotiated prescription drug co-payment or physician co-payment reimbursement benefit. Please contact either our Member Services Department or refer to your collective bargaining agreement
to verify the level and type of reimbursement available for you. The deadline for the 2020 calendar year is March 31, 2021.
How to submit a claim
Forms can be obtained by visiting our website at cseaebf.com under the “Download Forms” section. If you are eligible, please submit the applicable claim form along with supporting documentation by March 31, 2021.
For prescription drug co-payment reimbursements, attach a
complete itemized pharmacy printout. For physician co-payment reimbursements, attach the Explanation of Benefits (EOB’s) from your health insurance carrier.
If you have questions about these benefits, please contact our Member Services Department at 1-800-323-2732.
The Work Force 17