Benefits Fund

The New York State Nurses Association Benefits Fund

  • Is a nonprofit organization formed to provide participating employees and employers an affordable, comprehensive, and efficient plan of health insurance.
  • Affords medical, vision, prescription drug, dental, short- and long-term disability, life, paid family leave, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance to its participants
  • Has approximately 45 participating employers that provide these benefits to nearly 18,000 Registered Nurses and other medical professionals across New York. Some 22,000 spouses and children of participants also receive coverage through the Benefits Fund.

March 19, 2020

Federal Response Act provides COVID-19 testing and services
at no cost to participants

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act has been passed and went into effect on March 18, 2020. This Act affects NYSNA Benefits Fund participants and their families by providing certain mandates for medical coverage related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). This means, effective immediately, Benefits Fund participants and their eligible dependents are not required to pay copayments, deductibles, or coinsurance for:

  • Testing for the diagnosis of COVID-19 or the detection of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) as approved by the FDA;
  • Items and services provided during health care provider office visits, urgent care center visits, and emergency room visits only when related to the testing for COVID-19 (this includes temporary walk-up or drive-through testing locations)

These rules will remain in effect until either the national emergency declared by the President or the public health emergency issued by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is lifted.

 

March 16, 2020

COVID-19 testing for Benefits Fund participants

If you have been exposed and are ordered to be tested for Coronavirus (COVID-19), NYSNA Benefits Fund participants and their eligible dependents are eligible to receive the appropriate diagnostic test at no cost to you.

 

Prescription supply reminders

The Benefits Fund strongly encourages our participants to make sure they have an adequate supply of required prescription medications on hand. Keep in mind, a 90-day supply of prescription medication can be refilled after you have used at least 75 percent of the current supply, so there's no need to wait until the last minute. If you fill your prescriptions through the Express Scripts mail order service, the refill date can be found on your prescription bottle label.

You may also find out the status of your prescription refills by going to your member account at www.express-scripts.com.

 

Telemedicine visits are covered

Please be aware, if telemedicine "visits" are an option from one of your medical providers, these "visits" are covered for NYSNA Benefits Fund participants with their applicable office visit copayment.

 

Emotional support services available

Through the Fund's medical benefits with Oxford Health Plans, Optum offers access to an Emotional-Support Help Line to support anyone who may be experiencing anxiety or stress as a result of the recent and ever-changing developments regarding the coronavirus. The free service can be reached by calling (877) 342-6892 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is also information available on the related Web site located at www.liveandworkwell.com.

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Fund welcomes MetLife as new service provider​

Beginning January 1, 2020, MetLife will replace The Hartford in administrating the Benefits Fund’s short-term disability and life insurance benefits, and paid family leave coverage. Life and disability insurance benefits will remain the same for Fund participants. Participants receiving benefits for short-term disability and paid family leave claims filed before December 31, 2019, will continue to receive payments from The Hartford until those claims are complete. Your Basic Life Benefit will also include Will Preparation, a service that will prepare or update your will, healthcare proxy, and power of attorney at no additional cost. Please contact us at (877) RN BENEFITS [762-3633] if you have any questions regarding your life insurance or short-term disability benefits or paid family leave coverage.

Tax form 1095-B being mailed in early 2020​

Each year, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act, all Benefits Fund participants are mailed the "Form 1095-B," a health insurance tax form that shows proof that your healthcare coverage through the Benefits Fund meets minimum standards, or "minimum essential coverage," for you and any dependents on your plan. This year, forms will be mailed prior to the March 2, 2020, deadline. 

You may request a form from a prior year or contact us with any questions by:

  • E-mailing the Benefits Fund at benefit@rnbenefits.org
  • Calling us at (877) RN BENEFITS [762-3633]
  • Sending a written request to the NYSNA Benefits Fund, PO Box 12430, Albany, NY 12212