July 14, 2020
Bulletin 25-20

A Message from UFLAC’s Behavioral Health Service Director

 

2020 has been quite a year so far, and we are only about halfway through! To date, we have faced a worldwide pandemic, social unrest, the Boyd Street Incident, an earthquake, and then a COVID-19 surge. The thing that is so remarkable is that all of these extraordinary events are in addition to the normal day-to-day operations of the Los Angeles City Fire Department.

Our role in all of this on the Behavioral Health side is to focus on the emotional wellbeing of our Fire Department members and our members’ families. The nature of the job is to repeatedly respond to emergency situations quickly and professionally. There can be a cumulative stress load that comes along with the job that can affect our members and our members’ loved ones. 

UFLAC and the LAFD recognize the needs of the membership and are building robust, culturally competent behavioral health programs to support the emotional wellbeing of our members as well as your families. The Union and the Department both encourage members to utilize these confidential services when needed. Peer Support and professional behavioral health resources are both available on a 24/7 basis, at no cost for our members and your families. Above all, we want our members and families to know that you are never alone. We are just a phone call away if needed.

Thank you for the long hours that you put in during a shift and thank you to the families who pick up the slack at home when you are at work. We appreciate you all.

Take Care and Stay Safe!

 

Dr. Steve
Behavioral Health Services Director
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local 112
Office: 1-800-252-8352, Ext. 245
Cell: 818-645-9027

 

July 6, 2020

UFLAC Active Member
1571 W Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

RE: UFLAC Long Term Disability Plan Clarifications

Dear UFLAC Member,

We have become aware that there has been false information distributed to our membership regarding the UFLAC Long Term Disability (LTD) plans. Any information communicated regarding the UFLAC LTD plans by anyone other than the UFLAC Trust and specifically, by the California Association of Professional Firefighters (CAPF), is used to market their LTD plan and is not accurate.  False statements are made and are intended to mislead membership into buying their product.

As your UFLAC Benefits Trustees, we want to make sure that you are well informed of the comprehensive and enhanced LTD options available to you as UFLAC members. As a reminder, the UFLAC LTD plans are the only long-term disability plans endorsed by your Union.

Why did UFLAC leave CAPF?

CAPF is a “pay-as-you-go” system, which means the plan does NOT reserve for active or future claim payouts. “Pay as you go”, is a system in which current collected premiums are used to pay for active benefits and little to no money is put aside for potential future benefits. This means that if too many members become disabled in a brief timeframe, the plan could collapse, and benefits would not be paid.  Additionally, because the CAPF product is not insured, the benefits are not guaranteed and are only paid if enough money is collected. As of 2013, CAPF only had total assets of approximately $3.5M, although they insured around 16,000 participants.

For comparison, the current UFLAC LTD plans are fully-insured through Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company, a company with over $30B in assets and reserves that can be used to pay plan participants. As of July 1, 2019, Reliance Standard had set aside nearly $4.2M in reserve just to pay future UFLAC LTD benefits for those currently out on claim.

This reserving process is extremely important for member benefits and security; if our current fully-insured LTD plan does not adequately or appropriately reserve, Reliance Standard Life Insurance Company will be subject to legal action.  And no matter what, the benefits owed to our members are GUARANTEED TO BE PAID.

Moreover, CAPF has been found by a federal court to have violated ERISA by engaging in self-dealing. In addition, firefighter Barboza and the Department of Labor raised concerns that CAPF failed to undertake annual actuarial reviews, monitor the fund’s solvency, or adopt an adequate funding policy. On the next page, please find a comparison between CAPF’s “pay-as-you-go” LTD plan vs. the reserved fully-insured UFLAC LTD plans.

CAPF UFLAC*
Funding “Pay-as-you-go” Fully-Insured
Current enrollment 16,000 members 1,854 members
Reserves for current claimants only None reported $4,200,000
Insured No – Not guaranteed Yes – Guaranteed

*As of July 1, 2019

How do the UFLAC LTD plans work?

The UFLAC LTD plans provide you with a monthly benefit in the event that you are unable to work due to an injury or illness, so long as your physician deems you as disabled. UFLAC offers members two fully-insured LTD options through Reliance Standard Life Insurance, the Premium and Standard plans. Below, is a comparison of the two UFLAC LTD plans:

Benefits Premium
LTD Plan
July 1, 2019
Standard
LTD Plan
July 1, 2019
Percentage of Covered Monthly Earnings 70%
(INCLUDES overtime)
60%
(EXCLUDES overtime)
Maximum Monthly Benefit $10,000 $10,000
Minimum Monthly Benefit $100 $100
Elimination Period 90 days 180 days

Please note, this is not a complete list of the UFLAC LTD benefits. Review your certificate of coverage for more details. 

How long do the LTD benefits last?

During the first 24 months, (known as the Own Occupation period), the plans pay benefits if you are unable to perform the duties of your own occupation with the LAFD. After 24 months, the plan pays benefits if you are unable to perform the duties of any occupation based on your education, training, or experience, which is known as the Any Occupation period. If you continue to meet the requirements of being Totally Disabled, benefits are payable up to the Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA). If you are not approved for disability during the Any Occupation period, your benefits will end.

Why did I receive a benefit payment less than 60% or 70% of my covered monthly earnings?

While you are using your LTD benefits, any income you receive or are entitled to receive because of your disability may be used to offset your monthly LTD benefit. Your monthly LTD benefit may be reduced if you are eligible to receive one or more of the following sources of Other Income Benefits as a result of your disability:

  • Other Group Disability Benefits including LAFRA
  • 4850-time (IOD Pay)
  • Workers’ Compensation (State-Rate)
  • Retirement Benefits

Please be aware that your accrued sick time, prior to your date of disability, is not considered an eligible Other Income Benefit and will not offset your monthly LTD benefit.

Please note, this is not a complete list of Other Income Benefits. Review your certificate of coverage for more details.

If you are already receiving more than your calculated maximum monthly LTD benefit from another source of disability income, the UFLAC plans will still provide you with a minimum monthly benefit of $100. The following examples are provided to help explain how the LTD benefits coordinate with Other Income Benefits.

Injured on Duty (IOD) LTD Claim Example

IOD Claim Example Year 1: A member is enrolled in the UFLAC Premium LTD plan and is injured on duty. The member earns $120,000 per year (including overtime), which translates to a maximum monthly benefit of $7,000 (70% of $10,000/month). The member is also receiving $8,000 from 4850-time for their first year of injury. Under this IOD scenario, the UFLAC Premium LTD plan would provide the minimum monthly benefit of $100, because the member’s LTD benefit is fully offset by their earnings from 4850-time for the first year.

IOD Claim Example Year 2: The same member’s disability continues beyond the first year of 4850-time. Now the member is eligible to receive a lower dollar amount from State-Rate, $6,000 per month. Under this IOD scenario, the UFLAC Premium LTD plan would provide a $1,000 monthly benefit to cover the gap between the member’s calculated $7,000 benefit vs. what they are receiving from State-Rate.

IOD Claim Example Year 3: The same member’s disability continues beyond the second year of State-Rate, and the member is still considered disabled in accordance with the LTD policy. Assuming the member is not receiving any other income, the UFLAC Premium LTD plan would provide the member’s calculated maximum monthly benefit of $7,000. Please note, this scenario also assumes that the member has been approved for benefits during the Any Occupation period.

Please note, if you experience an off-duty injury and you are not eligible to receive any other source of Other Income Benefits, LTD benefits will be paid in accordance with the Year 3 example above. As long as you continue to be considered Totally Disabled, benefits are payable up to the Social Security Normal Retirement Age (SSNRA).

As evidenced by this communication, the UFLAC Trustees believe CAPF to be engaging in predatory and false marketing to our represented members. They have been aggressively targeting our members to enroll in an unendorsed, non-payroll deducted, and non-guaranteed product. We hope the information included in this communication will help provide our members with better transparency on the benefits available through the UFLAC LTD plans and empower them to make an informed decision for themselves and their families.

UFLAC is here to serve you – our Los Angeles City Firefighters. We want to make sure our members are well informed about ALL benefits available to you. For more information, please visit www.uflacbenefitenrollment.com or contact the UFLAC Benefits Staff at 213-977-9014, Ext. 2.

UFLAC v CAPF Plan Comparison Flyer

Very truly yours,
UFLAC Trustees

June 15, 2020
Bulletin 24 – 20

UFLAC General Membership Meeting
June 24, 2020
UFLAC Offices
1571 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST AND COFFEE

0730 Stewards Meeting
0800 General Membership Meeting

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence for our past fallen UFLAC Firefighters
Invocation
Roll Call of Officers
Adoption of the Minutes
Committee Reports

1. Update on LA City Budget.

2. Update on 2019 yearbook expenditure.

3. Update on Boyd incident.

4. Update on COVID-19 testing.

5. Update on AH procedures.

6. New Business

2 Drawings for the Membership (UFLAC Board Members are NOT eligible)
Last month’s raffle winners:

$ 100 – Chen Lam 39
$1000 – Justin Spina 98 – not present to receive

Adjournment
Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Local #112

Westchester Medical – Center for Heart and Health Comprehensive Physicals

Westchester Medical has reopened their offices and are now scheduling LAFD comprehensive physicals after being closed due to COVID-19 restrictions.  Westchester Medical has taken additional precautions to ensure the safety of the members and staff.  Call (310) 670-1120 to make your appointment now.

Please note, that if you are not feeling well or show any signs of illness, please notify the facility and reschedule.  You will be required to wear a mask during the physical and practice social distancing.  Make sure that you fast 4 hours prior to the exam (water consumption is permitted), bring a copy of your insurance card, and bring your parking ticket for validation.  Also, come dressed exercise clothing and a shower is available if desired.

UFLAC MOU Reminder-Wellness “Bonus”:

As a result of the UFLAC Negotiating Team’s commitment to promote health and wellness, the City agreed to a premium pay to encourage employees to complete an annual comprehensive physical.  Each member completing will be eligible to earn up to 1.5% for a 12 month period following the exam beginning June 20, 2021.  Please refer to Article 9.3 WELLNESS of MOU 7/1/2019 to 6/30/2022 for specific details, but plan ahead and have your physical scheduled near your date of birth.  Also note that UFLAC has also negotiated to have the members be paid four hours of pay for completing the physical off-duty.

UFLAC Anthem HSA PPO Members:

If you are part of UFLAC’s Health Saving Account (HSA) benefit, you are eligible for receiving “up to” $300 per month for completing a yearly comprehensive physical.  If you have previously completed a comprehensive physical, you will continue to receive the full benefit as the deadlines have been temporarily extended due to COVID-19 restrictions.  However, the extensions will expire, so do not delay scheduling your physical to ensure that you continue to receive the full benefit.

If you are not yet taking advantage of the HSA PPO, please inquire during the Fall 2020 Open Enrollment so that you do not miss out on the cost saving PPO health plan.

As always, please sign up for email notifications and follow UFLAC social media platforms for up to date information.

Thank you,
Your UFLAC Board and Benefits Team

Bulletin 23-20

May 20, 2020

UFLAC Fire Foundation:

Burn Fund for Firefighters Working at

Downtown May 16th Fire

 

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

 

On behalf of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local 112 (UFLAC), let me express our profound gratitude for the outpouring of support that we have received for our injured Firefighters in the wake of the May 16th Major Emergency fire in Downtown Los Angeles.

As you know, a massive fireball engulfed 11 Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) Firefighters while they were battling a commercial building fire, sending all of them to the hospital with burn injuries of varying severity. A 12th Firefighter was later treated and released at the hospital for a minor extremity injury. Fortunately, at this time all are expected to survive, but face a long road to recovery.

Many of you have reached out to ask how one can help. In 2019, UFLAC created a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation for times like these so that every dollar collected goes directly to our LAFD Firefighters and their families in need. For those who feel inclined to support the Firefighters affected by the May 16th downtown fire  or whom may be affected in the future by similar incidents please take a moment to visit the UFLAC Fire Foundation website to make a contribution: https://www.uflac.org/product/uflac-fire-foundation-burned-firefighter-fund/

Whether it goes to pay for their families to be near them at the Hospital and Burn Center or helps to fund college for the children of those Firefighters who may not be able to return to duty, all contributions will go towards these brave First Responders who nearly gave their lives to protect Los Angeles.

On behalf of the UFLAC Executive Board, thank you for keeping our Firefighters in your thoughts and the overwhelming number of well-wishes during this challenging time.

 

In Solidarity,

Freddy Escobar
President
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City
IAFF, Local 112

May 20, 2020
Bulletin 22 – 20

 

UFLAC General Membership Meeting

May 27, 2020

UFLAC Offices

1571 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA  90026

JOIN US FOR BREAKFAST AND COFFEE 

 

0730                Stewards Meeting

0800                General Membership Meeting

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Moment of Silence for our past fallen UFLAC Firefighters
Invocation
Roll Call of Officers
Adoption of the Minutes
Committee Reports

1. Presentation of 2021 Budget for UFLAC
2. Report on Los Angeles City Budget Update
3. COVID-19 Update
4. Report on Boyd Street Fire
6. Unfinished Business
7. New Business

 

2 Drawings for the Membership (UFLAC Board Members are NOT eligible)

Last month’s raffle winners:

$100 –  None

$1000 –  None

 

Adjournment

Executive Board
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, Local #112

UFLAC Fire Foundation:

Burn Fund for Firefighters Working at

Downtown May 16th Fire

 

Dear Brothers & Sisters,

 

On behalf of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local 112 (UFLAC), let me express our profound gratitude for the outpouring of support that we have received for our injured Firefighters in the wake of the May 16th Major Emergency fire in Downtown Los Angeles.

As you know, a massive fireball engulfed 11 Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) Firefighters while they were battling a commercial building fire, sending all of them to the hospital with burn injuries of varying severity. A 12th Firefighter was later treated and released at the hospital for a minor extremity injury. Fortunately, at this time all are expected to survive, but face a long road to recovery.

Many of you have reached out to ask how one can help. In 2019, UFLAC created a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation for times like these so that every dollar collected goes directly to our LAFD Firefighters and their families in need. For those who feel inclined to support the Firefighters affected by the May 16th downtown fire  or whom may be affected in the future by similar incidents please take a moment to visit the UFLAC Fire Foundation website to make a contribution: https://www.uflac.org/product/uflac-fire-found…firefighter-fund/

Whether it goes to pay for their families to be near them at the Hospital and Burn Center or helps to fund college for the children of those Firefighters who may not be able to return to duty, all contributions will go towards these brave First Responders who nearly gave their lives to protect Los Angeles.

On behalf of the UFLAC Executive Board, thank you for keeping our Firefighters in your thoughts and the overwhelming number of well-wishes during this challenging time.

 

In Solidarity,

Freddy Escobar
President
United Firefighters of Los Angeles City
IAFF, Local 112

May 18, 2020

Bulletin 22-20

 

Behavioral Health Message

 

To Our LAFD Members:

As you all know, LAFD personnel responded to a structure fire in the Downtown area Saturday night and as a result, 11 Firefighters experienced injuries and were hospitalized. Three of those were critical, but thankfully not life-threatening. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of our Firefighters and their families during this difficult time.

Your Peer Support Team, your UFLAC mental health professional, as well as your two LAFD Psychologists want you to know that we are all here for you if you need us. We are just a phone call away.

Contact:
Dr. Steve Froehlich, MFT
UFLAC Director of Behavioral Health
Peer Support Team Point of Contact
Cell: 818-645-9027

Maria Rendon
UFLAC Peer Support Team Point of Contact
Cell: 213-598-3705

Dr. Krystle Madrid
LAFD Fire Psychologist
LAFD Behavioral Health Program
Cell: 213-718-0798

Dr. Audrey Martinez
LAFD Fire Psychologist
LAFD Behavioral Health Program
Cell: 213-435-3996
Office: 323-276-7166

 

May 13, 2020

Bulletin 21-20

Continuing the Conversation: A Message to Our Fire Families

 

To our members and our families:

As many of you know, UFLAC and the LAFD jointly conducted the very first Family Webinar on April 14, 2020. Together, the Union President and the Fire Chief began this conversation. There was a panel of Peer Supporters, a well-qualified and vetted nurse, as well as Dr. Steve to discuss the physical and behavioral health aspects of the COVID-19 environment that we are all being impacted by at the present time.

We understand that our Firefighters are on the front lines of this worldwide pandemic. A unique feature of this crisis is that it not only impacts our Firefighters, but also our families at home. We wanted to make sure that we were addressing our families to provide important information and to offer an opportunity to ask questions directly to our leaders and subject matter experts.

Based upon the feedback that we have been receiving, we realize that we need to continue the conversation. Not just about the COVID-19 situation, but we also need to open the dialogue with our loved ones regarding the subjects that are on the minds of our family members. We would like your input and suggestions for topics that we can address in future webinars.

Please look at the list below and submit your top 3 selections to Maria Rendon at [email protected] or use form below.

[vfb id=8]

 

Thank you again for your participation and we look forward to continuing the conversation.

Take Care,

Your Peer Support Team

 

Bulletin 20-20

April 30, 2020

UFLAC, LAFD, and Stevens Nation Join Forces to Support ALS Awareness

(Click HERE to order your ALS Awareness T-Shirt)

UFLAC, LAFD, and Stevens Nation have joined forces to promote and support ALS Awareness during the month of May. As you know, we recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month and participate in “Movember” during “No Shave November” to bring awareness to men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer and testicular cancer. Now it is time to raise awareness for all those diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), including one of our own Firefighters, Eric Stevens.

Eric was recently diagnosed with ALS a month after getting married. His hope is to shed light on this underfunded disease, start a dialogue, and motivate people in power to make changes that allow terminally ill patients to have access to treatments that are still in trials but are proven to be safe. Stevens Nation is advocating for patients who don’t have a year or two to wait for treatment to have access to this medical care that might drastically reduce their suffering. For more information, please visit https://stevensnation.com and follow #AxeALS and #PushForTreatment on social media.

The primary goal of the LAFD and UFLAC’s involvement in ALS Month is to support those personally affected by ALS and to reach thousands of people with the message that individuals suffering from ALS are in a race against time for life-saving treatment to be approved by the FDA.

All members are authorized during the month of May to wear the newly designed ALS/LAFD T-Shirt while on duty to support ALS Awareness. By this very public display of wearing red T-Shirts, LAFD Firefighters and Paramedics can help to raise public awareness and speed up the approval of treatment options for this devastating disease. We encourage everyone to wear them.

ALS Facts to Consider:

  • ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gherig’s disease, is a rare neurological disease involving the neurons, which control voluntary muscle movement such as chewing, walking, talking, and breathing.
  • As ALS progresses, the motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord degenerate and die, and as a result, the brain can no longer control voluntary movement. Eventually, the muscles weaken and waste away.
  • In most cases, ALS is a rapidly progressing disease, however, it progresses at different rates for different people. Most people with ALS will live for 2 to 5 years after first experiencing symptoms.
  • The exact cause of ALS is unknown and there is currently no cure.
  • There are treatments that have been proven to help stop or slow the progression of the disease, however, they are not approved by the FDA.
  • Currently, the most promising treatment called NurOwn is going through a phase 3 trial, meaning that people who have been diagnosed and are potentially a good match for this treatment don’t have access to it unless they are accepted into a trial.
  • Once the NurOwn trial ends, all participants are taken off the treatment even if it is greatly improving their lives until NurOwn is eventually approved by the FDA which is possibly years away.

We have a limited number of ALS T-Shirts available at www.uflac.org for $25. Please call UFLAC at (213) 977-9001 for availability and sizes. 100% of the profits from t-shirt sales will go to https://www.projectals.org at the request of Stevens Nation to help find a treatment for ALS patients. Thank you for your support!

UFLAC Executive Board