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Recent Changes to Doctors Council Welfare Fund, Retiree Welfare Fund and Doctors Council Benefit Plan

The Board of Directors for these Plans recently approved two significant changes regarding benefits.

First, the time limit to file benefit claims under the Welfare and Retiree Funds has been extended from 90 days to 180 days effective July 1, 2003, and from 90 days to One Year effective January 1, 2003 under the Benefit Plan, for all benefits EXCEPT:

1. Disability benefit claims (must be postmarked within 3 weeks of the onset of disability)
2. Healthcare Cost Reimbursement benefit (for the Welfare and Retiree Funds, claims must be postmarked by September 30th following the end of each Plan Year: July 1 - June 30; for the Benefit Plan, claims must be postmarked by March 31 following the end of the Plan Year).
   
   Second, orthodontic benefits for the Welfare, Retiree Welfare and Benefit Plan B have been increased, retroactively to July 1, 2002 from $1,600 maximum to $3,150 maximum.

These changes were directly the result of membership concerns according to Dan Donnellan, the Welfare Fund Administrator. “Furthermore, we want to ensure that members don’t lose out on their benefits,” said Doctor Frank Proscia, Executive Director and a member of the Welfare Fund Board of Trustees.  Call the Welfare Fund office if you have any further questions at (212) 532-5995.