Page 17 - Work Force June 2017

Important information about Lyme disease
Lyme disease is the most commonly reported tick-borne illness in the United States.
Transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected blacklegged tick (deer
or bear tick), Lyme
disease is especially prevalent in the Northeast.
Deer ticks thrive during this time
of year in fields
and wooded areas. Individuals can reduce their risk of Lyme disease by avoiding tick-infected habitats.
If exposure to tick-infested habitats cannot be avoided, individuals may reduce their risk of infection by using repellents,
wearing protective clothing, and regularly checking for and removing attached ticks as well as bathing or showering as soon as possible after
coming indoors to wash off and more easily find ticks.
Early diagnosis and proper treatment of
Lyme disease are important. Early Lyme disease symptoms can include fatigue, chills
and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, or a
“bullseye” shaped skin rash at or near the tick bite site. Not all
rashes that occur at tick bite sites are due to Lyme disease. See your doctor if you notice any symptoms.
There is currently no vaccine on the market for tick borne diseases.
Early detection is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease as it is most treatable during its earliest stages.
Regular tick checks are advised for all outdoor enthusiasts. The best strategy is to stop them before they bite and call your doctor if you are concerned.
Some tips to help stop the ticks:
1. Wear light colors, so ticks are easy to spot.
2. Tuck pant legs into socks, so ticks can’t crawl up your leg.
Avoid crushing the tick’s
body.
5. Cleanse the area with an
antiseptic.
6. Ask your vet about tick
EBF offers benefits to save you money, improve your health
Spring brings hope of new life
and renewal. In many local government units, spring also means gearing up for upcoming contract negotiations.
While wage increases are often
a priority, many negotiating teams have turned their focus to health related benefits for stronger contracts. Health-related auxiliary benefits such as dental and vision keep our members healthier, improve our members’ quality of life, save on out-of-pocket costs for health services and keep health care costs down.
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund has been providing benefits to CSEA members since 1979. We have been able to offer a variety of benefits
to fit the needs of counties, towns, villages and school districts during contract negotiations. Our programs include:
Dental plans
EBF offers several dental plans with escalating annual maximums and orthodontic maximums. Each of our plans reimburse according to a fee schedule at a non-participating dentist.
June 2017
Our participating providers accept our fee schedules as full payment for covered services resulting in no out of pocket cost for you.
There is no deductible for any of our plans in or out of network. Our plans are designed to maintain excellent oral health and to save members and their families money.
Vision plans
We offer several types of vision plans. Each plan covers an eye examination and a pair of glasses or an initial 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 ear 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 that are not covered by the member’s regular prescription drug plan once annually up to $500 per family per calendar year.
Physician co-payment reimbursement
This benefit reimburses the member up to $150 per family per year for co-payments associated with office visits.
Remember, these benefits and their premiums must be negotiated into your collective bargaining agreement. EBF has a staff with representatives eager to discuss the different plans with you and your leadership – just let us know if we can help. Our region senior benefits specialists are:
Long Island Region
Linda Sclafani: 631-462-5224 lsclafani@cseaebf.org
Southern Region
Jordan Hughes: 800-323-2732 x800 jhughes@cseaebf.org
Capital Region
Erin Bazinet:800-323-2732 x860 ebazinet@cseaebf.org
Central Region
Geoff Switts: 800-323-2732 x813 gswitts@cseaebf.org
Western Region
Jim Aldrich: 800-323-2732 x818 jaldrich@cseaebf.org
3. Spray insect repellents
containing DEET on clothes
and exposed skin. dog.
4. Check body and hair for ticks when you get home. Remove with fine-point tweezers.
7. Call your doctor if you develop symptoms of tick borne illness.
repellent if you own a cat or
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