Laid Off Members Can Now Access Funds On Their HRA Cards!
August 30, 2021 6:04 PM
Starting September 1st, Union members who are laid off can use the balance on their HRA cards to help pay for medical expenses incurred since January 1, 2021.
Our Union won the HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement) benefit during Industry-Wide contract negotiations in 2015 and went into effect in 2017. The benefit provides eligible members with a prepaid card that can be used to pay for qualified medical expenses. Previously, under the old rules, if you were laid off you couldn’t access the balance of your HRA benefit. HTC President Rich Maroko demanded that the plan rules be changed and after negotiations with industry, it was agreed that policy would be modified to allow laid off members to access the balance in their HRA accounts.
Q1. Who is eligible?
A. This benefit is available to laid off members who had the HRA benefit prior to being laid off due to COVID-19 pandemic and who retain their recall rights (e.g. the member was not terminated nor accepted a buy out.)
Q2. Do I need to activate my account?
A. No, there is no need to activate your account. You can view your balance and submit reimbursements for qualified medical expenses back to January 1, 2021 online at www.connectyourcare.com or by downloading CYC’s mobile app.
You will receive a new HRA card by mail in the coming weeks. You will need to activate that card before you are able to use it at a pharmacy or store. In the event you have any issues or do not receive your new card by mid-September, simply call the Benefit Funds at (212) 586-6400 or email [email protected] and the Funds will assist you in getting a new card.
Q3. How can I check my balance?
A. You can check your balance online or by phone by contacting CYC. Please note, if you have been laid off throughout 2021, you will not receive new funds for 2021 on your HRA card. You will only have access to your existing balance. If you return to work in 2021 and work enough hours to qualify for benefits through the Funds, you will get a new 2021 contribution at that point.
Check your balance online: You can also check your balance online at www.connectyourcare.com or by downloading CYC’s mobile app.
Q4. What expenses can be reimbursed?
A. You can find a full list of qualified health expenses using this tool. Select “Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)” in the filter.
Important note: Laid off members who are not currently participating in the Union’s Industry-Wide Benefit Funds still do not have access to the pharmacies at our health centers and cannot use the HRA card at our pharmacies until returning to work and qualify for benefits through the Funds again.
