Early Season 2023
BENEFITS TOOLBOX
A Publication of the New York City District Council of Carpenters Benefit Funds
What's Inside Page 2 Annual Reminder: Divorce and Your Benefits Page 3 Annual Reminder: Divorce and Your Benefits (continued)
NYCDCC Welfare Fund’s Third-Party Administrator for Medical/Hospital Coverage Changes from Empire BCBS to Independence Administrators
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Effective January 1, 2023, the third-party administrator for the medical/hospital coverage provided by the New York City District Council of Carpenters Welfare Fund (the “Fund”) changed from Empire BlueCross BlueShield (“Empire”) to Independence Administrators (“IA”), a BlueCross/BlueShield Affiliate. As announced on the Fund’s website in November 2022, although the third-party administrator changed, no changes were made to your actual coverage. It should be noted that this change does NOT affect Medicare-eligible retirees covered by UnitedHealthcare (“UHC”).
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As a result of this change, you (and all eligible dependents) should have received a new card in the mail before January 1, 2023. This new card has your new Identification Number and IA’s name. On the back of the card, you can find other relevant information, including contact numbers for IA’s Customer Service. The front of the card has a sticker with an alternate phone number for IA’s Text Messaging Service, which is called “The Wire.” You can use this number to opt-in to IA’s text messaging service to stay up-to-date on your coverage, preventative care information, and the latest news about your plan.
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As was the case with Empire, you have access to your personal health information, such as digital ID cards, in-network providers, claims, and more, through IA’s member website and/or app. To access the website, visit www.ibxtpa.com/members/index.html. Be sure to create a unique username and password for the site upon your first visit. You can also download IA’s smartphone/tablet app by going to your app store and searching for “Independence Administrators” or “Myibxpabenefits.” For more information, please visit our website at www.nyccbf.org.
Benefits Toolbox / Early Season 2023
Page 4 Be Sure to Update your Coordination of Benefits Information with Independence Administrators if you or an Eligible Dependent are Covered under Multiple Health Plans Page 5
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