News
News
Important Information for Your 2016 Taxes Regarding Health Coverage and Form 1095-B (or C)
The Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) now requires that you report whether or not you had health coverage when you file your taxes. If you had health coverage during 2016 from the New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund (the “Welfare Fund”), the Welfare Fund will be mailing… read more...
NYCDCC Benefit Funds to Launch Mass Email Blast Program for Members and Retirees in March
In a continued effort to expand our communications outlets, the New York City District Council of Carpenters (“NYCDCC”) Benefit Funds will soon be launching a mass email blast program for eligible members and retirees. The new program, which will take effect in March, will allow us to reach members and… read more...
Revisions Made to Simplify Change-of-Address Form Submission Procedures
Effective immediately, the New York City District Council of Carpenters ("NYCDCC") Benefit Funds, along with the District Council, have made revisions to the Change-of-Address Form and its submission procedures to simplify the process for members. The revisions are as follows: Members will no longer be required to have the… read more...
Free Services and Transactions Associated with Vacation Debit Cards
The New York City District Council of Carpenters Benefit Funds, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, recently announced a new mandatory debit card program for vacation payments that will become effective in June. After the announcement, members had numerous questions about this new program, which will be implemented in… read more...
Vacation Benefits to be Paid via Debit Card Beginning in June
Effective for your first quarter vacation payment (payable in the first week of June 2017), the New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund (the “Welfare Fund”) is implementing a mandatory debit card payment program for all vacation benefits. The implementation of this program will help eliminate lost, stolen,… read more...
Preventing Sudden Cardiac Arrest (“SCA”) in Adolescents through Early Detection Heart Screenings
As your children grow up and begin to advance through the awkward stages of puberty, worrying about potential adolescent heart problems is probably one of the furthest things from your mind. However, some studies are beginning to show that it may be time for your perceptions on this issue to… read more...
Online Password Resets for Member Log-In Now Available
Over the past several months, we have received feedback from members requesting the ability to reset forgotten passwords on their own via online services instead of calling the Fund Office for assistance. We have heard your feedback, and after working with our vendor on the programming, this function is now… read more...
Empire BlueCross BlueShield Creates New Dedicated Phone Number for NYCDCC Members
Effective January 1, 2017, Empire BlueCross BlueShield created a new dedicated phone number for NYCDCC members who are seeking assistance. The dedicated phone number, which now appears on the back of your new ID cards, will allow for quicker and more efficient member services. Although the phone… read more...
Prevention of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain, alongside cancer, are the top two conditions that are most costly to the NYCDCC Welfare Fund and its participants. Our members are prone to work-related lower back pain because of the strenuous work they perform. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA"), lower back pain… read more...
Empire BlueCross BlueShield to Send out New ID Cards in Coming Weeks
Beginning in the last week of December and extending into early January of 2017, Empire BlueCross BlueShield will be sending out new ID cards to Active participants/dependents and Non-Medicare Eligible Retiree participants/dependents in the New York City District Council of Carpenters (“NYCDCC”) Welfare Fund. These new cards are being produced… read more...
REMINDER: Be Sure to Elect a Beneficiary for your NYCDCC Annuity Account
REMINDER: It is important to elect a beneficiary for your NYCDCC Annuity Fund account with Prudential and to update your beneficiary any time your financial situation changes. Updating your beneficiary ensures that should you die, your plan assets will go exactly where you want. If you don’t have a current… read more...
MEND Program’s Holiday Gathering & Open House
Please join us for the MEND Program’s Holiday Gathering & Open House. The MEND Program is an exclusive program for active members of the New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund and their eligible dependents who are facing substance abuse issues and other related problems. Please join us… read more...
December Vacation Checks Update
Some participants have recently contacted the Benefit Funds to inquire about December vacation checks. To help answer your questions, we have prepared the following update: The vacation checks (covering the 3rd quarter of 2016), were mailed on Thursday, December 1, 2016. If you wish to know how much you will… read more...
Maintaining Happiness During the Holiday Season
The holiday season is a time to celebrate and spread feelings of happiness and joy to all those around you. Holidays represent a chance to take a break from work, see the world, reconnect with family and friends, and ultimately enjoy time with your loved ones. Given the nature of… read more...
MEND Program: Peer Support Group Launch Meeting
The Members Education and Network for Dependency (“MEND”) Program will soon be holding an initial meeting to launch a Peer Support Group for all New York City District Council of Carpenters (“NYCDCC”) members who are either currently in recovery or are considering entering recovery. This unique group will feature union members in long term recovery,… read more...
Take Advantage of Empire’s Complimentary Health & Wellness Programs
As an eligible participant in the NYCDCC Welfare Fund (the “Welfare Fund”), you have access to health coverage administered by Empire BlueCross BlueShield (“Empire”). However, it’s important for you to know that the programs you can take advantage of as a result of being eligible for Welfare Fund coverage administered… read more...
The Worst Autumn Health Habits
Autumn is the time of year when colder weather approaches and days become shorter. It’s also the time of year when people pick up the worst health habits. It’s easy to feel the need to stay bundled up in your house when the temperature goes down, but before you know… read more...
NYCDCC Welfare Fund to Reduce Annual Deductibles by Fifty Percent
The Board of Trustees of the NYCDCC Welfare Fund (the “Fund”) is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2017, annual deductibles for all In-Network services provided by Empire BlueCross BlueShield will be reduced by fifty percent (50%) for active and retired participants and their eligible dependents. This reduction will… read more...
The Importance of Vision and Dental Health
Staying healthy isn’t just about making sure you eat right, take vitamins, and exercise daily. As a matter of fact, many people seem to forget about two of the most important aspects of their health. That is, vision and dental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention… read more...
The NYCDCC Benefit Funds Expands its Social Media Presence to Twitter
[caption id="attachment_7152" align="alignright" width="295"] Click to Visit Twitter Page[/caption] In a continued effort to connect and communicate with members in as many ways as possible, the New York City District Council of Carpenters (“NYCDCC”) Benefit Funds has now expanded its social media presence to the world of Twitter! Just as… read more...
