Page 17 - Work Force June 2024

18 The Work Force June 2024
The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) is
committed to managing negotiated dental,
vision, and reimbursement benefits for New York
State employees, Unified Court System employees
and more than 600 CSEA local government units.
EBF’s customized benefits aim to enhance the
well-being of CSEA members and their families
while offering cost-saving opportunities. Use our
Benefits Search tool at cseaebf.com to determine
which EBF benefits have been negotiated into your
contract.
Beyond benefits, the EBF prioritizes engaging
and educating CSEA members
on their benefits and their
intricacies. Our goal is to
empower individuals with the
knowledge needed to make
informed decisions, ensuring
their holistic well-being is both
supported and understood.
For members who are
parents, we know that we
often concentrate on ensuring our children excel
academically, socially, and emotionally.
However, one aspect of their well-being that
can sometimes be overlooked is their physical
health. With children heading off to college or
returning home for breaks, it’s crucial to prioritize
preventive care, including regular eye exams and
dental checkups. These routine appointments not
only safeguard their oral and visual health but also
contribute to their overall wellness.
Impact of eye exams
A child’s vision is critical for academic success
and daily activities. Regular eye exams can detect
issues such as nearsightedness, farsightedness,
and even serious conditions such as glaucoma.
Clear vision is essential for effective learning,
preventing digital eye strain and identifying
underlying health concerns.
Role of dental checkups
Maintaining good oral health is vital for
overall wellness. Dental checkups prevent
tooth decay and gum disease,
address orthodontic needs, and
contribute to oral systemic health
by reducing the risk of associated
conditions like heart disease and
diabetes.
Investing in wellness
By prioritizing regular eye
exams and dental checkups for
their college-bound children, parents invest in
their children’s comprehensive wellness.
These preventive measures not only detect
and address potential issues early, but also instill
lifelong habits of self-care and proactive health
management. Let’s ensure our children embark
on their college journeys with clear vision, bright
smiles and a strong foundation of health and
well-being.
CSEA EBF Dental plans include three dental
Have a college-bound child?
Get vision, dental checkups
exams and cleanings a year for enrolled
dependents under age 26, regardless of marital
status.
EBF vision plans include a benefit for exams and
materials once a year or once every other year
depending on age and plan.
For details about your plans, including coverage
and limitations and exclusions, review your
summary plan descriptions available through your
portal account at https://portal.cseaebf.com/
login.php.
UnitedHealth Group has announced support
for people who may be concerned about their
personal data potentially being impacted due to
the malicious criminal cyberattack on Change
Healthcare earlier this year.
UnitedHealth Group, parent company of United
Healthcare, owns Change Healthcare.
The Empire Plan does not use any of Change
Healthcare’s services, but Change Healthcare
serves many providers across the nation’s
health care system to support pharmacy claims
transactions, medical provider claims processing,
provider claim payments, and medical necessity
reviews.
Therefore, members who use providers who
use Change Healthcare’s services may have been
impacted.
It is likely to take several months of continued
analysis before enough information will be
available to identify and notify impacted
customers and individuals.
In the coming months, either UnitedHealth
Group or your health care provider will send
appropriate notifications when the company can
confirm the information involved. The Department
of Civil Service/NYSHIP does not have a list of
providers who use Change Healthcare.
Empire Plan members can visit
changecybersupport.com for information and
details on resources related to the cyberattack.
Important information about
“Change Healthcare” cyberattack
A dedicated call center has been established at
1-866-262-5342 to offer free credit monitoring and
identity theft protection for two years to anyone
who is concerned that they may be impacted. The
call center also has trained clinicians to provide
emotional support services.
Given the ongoing investigation and complexity
of data review, the call center will not be able to
provide any specifics on individual data impacts at
this time.