Savings Galore Through ‘Union Plus’ Program
by Yuridia Peña
From discounted opera tickets and disaster relief grants to cheap mobile phone plans for the entire family, Union Plus saves CSA members hundreds of dollars through a variety of services.
CSA members are members of the national union as Local 1 of the American Federation of School Administrators (AFSA) and therefore eligible for Union Plus benefits – a service created in 1986 by the AFL-CIO. Union Plus provides members valuable consumer products and resources at discounted prices.
Today, Union Plus caters to more than 13 million working-class Americans. Its website – www.unionplus.org – is easy to navigate to learn about exclusive incentives.
Union Plus offers superior programs and services to promote better lifestyles for union families – including scholarships, travel discounts, auto insurance, financial services, legal service, hardship assistance and more. Some of those benefits are:
• In addition to CSA-provided medical benefits, members are eligible for Union Plus health discount programs at local health providers for vision, dental, physicians and hospitals. To find out which program is right for you, call the Union Plus Health Savings provider Careington at (1-877) 570-4845. (This benefit does not replace CSA Welfare Fund benefits. Services provided through Union Plus may not be covered by the CSA Welfare Fund.)
• The Union Plus Medical Bill Negotiating Service by Health Advocate provides union members, who have large out-of-pocket medical bills, free assistance negotiating bill reductions with physicians, hospitals and other health care providers. The program also establishes payment plans with medical providers. Active and retired members with at least one outstanding unreimbursed medical expense may apply for this benefit at http://bit.ly/nmZDDE.
• When members choose insurance, credit card, mortgage and other financial products through Union Plus, members receive extra incentives such as hospital care grants of up to $1,000 per household. The Union Plus Credit Card gives special rates and financial protection, including grants for laidoff, striking and disabled customers.
• Members seeking to stretch their budgets can also participate in the Union Plus AT&T Wireless Discount which saves members 15 percent off their regular monthly rate for individual and family plans and online purchases on wireless accessories at a discounted price.
• Environmentally-conscious members can participate in the Union Plus Home Heating Oil Program. Through it, they can purchase energy efficient equipment and receive a $100 rebate. Members can also receive rebates when they purchase a union-made EPA-approved green vehicle.
