Paraprofessional Health & Welfare Fund

Boston Teachers Union Paraprofessional H&W Fund Information Booklet

Paraprofessional Prepaid Legal Services Plan Providers

 

Need Prepaid Legal Service Benefits?

Step 1: Select a law firm from the list of participating providers.

Step 2: Either log in to your online account and upload the Prepaid Legal Authorization Form(s), or contact the Fund Office at 1-617-288-5883 to request the form(s) be sent directly to you.

You can contact the Fund Office with any questions, or to confirm your eligibility.

Invis
Dental Benefit

The Fund offers covered Paraprofessionals Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier.

The plan will provide coverage for:

  • Periodic exams and cleanings
  • X-Rays as required
  • Dental services (other than orthodontia), up to a maximum of $1,310 per year
  • Orthodontia – for adults and children, up to a lifetime maximum benefit of $2,000

The Delta Dental Premier Option

The Delta Dental PPO Plus Premier Option is administered by Delta Dental of Massachusetts. The one plan provides coverage under two national networks: Delta Dental PPO and Delta Dental Premier. There is a $1,310 annual maximum (excluding orthodontia) under this plan. There is also a separate annual maximum of $1,000 per person for covered implant procedures only. To your benefit, implant-related procedures (abutments and crowns) will be applied toward the overall annual maximum amount

The Schedule of Covered Dental Procedures under this plan provides dental coverage for eligible individuals to go to any licensed dentist.

To see if your dentist is part of either of the national networks: Delta Dental PPO or Delta Dental Premier you can go to the Delta Dental web site at www.deltadentalma.com or contact the customer service department at 800-872-0500.

Eye Care Benefits

The eye care benefits provided by your Health and Welfare Fund are available exclusively at our own, private Eye Care Center. The Eye Care Center is located within the Boston Teachers Union Building, off of Day Boulevard in Dorchester. We are located a short walk from the MBTA Red-Line JFK / UMASS station, and we have ample free parking at the BTU building.

For information about your eye care benefits please click on one of the following:

Hospitalization Income Supplement Benefit

Important

If a Covered Paraprofessional is confined to a hospital because of illness or injury for three or more consecutive days, the Covered Paraprofessional can receive the Hospitalization Income Supplement benefit beginning with the third day of hospitalization.

This benefit is payable up to 52 weeks for each hospital stay, as long as the member remains eligible.

The amount of the Income Supplement is as follows:

 

Consecutive Days                              Amount

   In a Hospital                                    of Benefit                           

 

        0 – 2                                                  None

        3 – 6                                                   $75

       7 – 13                                                $150

     14 – 20                                                $300

21 – 27 etc.                                         $450 etc.

 

If you are confined to the hospital for three or more consecutive days, obtain a claim form from the Fund Office or print from the attachment on line. You need not wait until you are discharged from the hospital to print or request your claim form, although you should not submit the claim until you are discharged.  

Hospitalization Income Supplement Benefit

(For Covered Paraprofessionals Only)

Instructions

Please complete the Claim Form in its entirety but only complete the block at the top of the Hospital Verification Form.

Return both forms to us. We’ll take care of contacting the hospital involved in each case and we also verify your “Covered Paraprofessional” status.

Obviously, the sooner you mail us back the forms, the sooner we can proceed with our part. Please do not divert from this procedure as it can only delay your benefit.

Also, the Internal Revenue Service has determined that this type of benefit represents taxable income. You should then, report the income on your income tax form for the year in which the benefit is received.

View the Paraprofessional Hospitalization Income Supplement Benefit Form

Hearing Aid Benefit
Funeral Expense Benefit

Instructions

If you have paid the funeral expenses of a Covered Paraprofessional who has recently passed away, you may be eligible to make application for the benefit.

In the event that funeral expenses are incurred as a result of the death of a person who is a Covered Paraprofessional at the time of his/her death, the Fund will pay a funeral expense benefit equal to the amount of such expense, but not exceeding four thousand five hundred dollars ($4,500).

The Fund will make payment of this funeral expense benefit to the estate of the Covered Paraprofessional or to a person equitably entitled thereto, in the opinion of the Trustees, upon satisfactory proof of payment of such expense.

If you wish to apply for the benefit, please complete the application and return it with a copy of the death certificate and receipt of bills. Please feel free to call if you have any questions.

 

Click View & Print the Application for Funeral Expense Benefit.

Paraprofessional Prepaid Legal Services Benefit

The Board of Trustees of the Prepaid Legal Services Fund has selected a panel of attorneys so that you and your eligible dependents may receive legal help with a variety of services such as buying or selling your principal residence or preparing a will. Also, participating mediators can assist you in separation and divorce disputes.

Attorneys and mediators who participate in the Prepaid Legal Services Plan (participating providers) can help you with a variety of legal services, such as:

To take advantage of the Prepaid Legal Services that the Plan offers, choose a firm under the Paraprofessional Prepaid Legal Services Plan Providers, log into your online account, and upload your Prepaid Legal Authorization Form(s) today. You may also contact the Fund Office to send you the form(s) directly, or with any questions you might have.

Deceased Member Benefits

Sources of Possible Benefits to Deceased BTU Members/City Employees

The Retirement Board
City Hall
Telephone #: (617) 635-4311

The “Small Retirement Fund”, c/o Jim Kennan
P.O. Box 33
Dorchester, MA 02122
Telephone #: (617) 624-6748

With his/her Group Health Insurance 
City Hall, Boston
Telephone #: (617) 635-4570

To research whether they had annuity or other savings deductions made, contact the Payroll Department of the Treasurer’s Office
City Hall
Telephone #: (617) 635-4151

You have probably already approached the BTU Paraprofessional Health & Welfare Office 
Telephone #: (617) 288-5883, relative to funeral expense benefits

Also check with the Tremont Credit Union to see if person had any accounts with them
Telephone #: (781) 843-5626

Check with the Boston School Department, Office of Human Resources to see if there was any time left in sick-bank
Telephone #: (617) 635-9600