One of the very few benefits that NYSUT offered that was considered a good deal was the Catastrophe Major Medical Plan. This plan is an affordable supplemental health insurance policy that pays benefits for nursing home care, rehabilitation, at home care, and other medical expenses not covered by the basic health care, including Medicare. The plan was closed in 2011 and many UFT members missed out on a plan that, had they knew about it , would have joined. The good news is that NYSUT has decided to reopen the CMM plan. You can read the information Here
The actual application for the NYSUT CMM is now available on the NYSUT member benefits page but you can download the 3-page application Here.
Still unknown is the actual cost of the NYSUT CMM plan and how the final plan, starting on January 1, 2018 will change from the previously offered plan that was discontinued in 2011. Moreover, there is only a 45 day window to join the NYSUT CMM, starting on May 1, 2017 and ending on June 15, 2017, Since the plan becomes effective January 1, 2018, you must be an active member on that date to join and be eligible for the benefits. Finally, there is no information available about how much the deductible will be.
The bottom line, while this is not a replacement for the prohibitively expensive long term care plans that many insurance companies are pitching. It certainly is a much needed supplemental health insurance plan that's missing in our health benefits universe.