Since today is the first day of the new academic year and we have many new faces joining us, I thought it would be a great time to review our union's benefits once again (shout out to our ex-resident Dr. Jeff Yang for his detailed table that he made for POTD a few years back).
I recommend setting up Direct Deposit at the CIR portal: https://cirmp.novus-360.com/cirmpprod as you can receive your reimbursement back in 7 days after you file a claim, in comparison to 4-6 weeks of a mailed check from the union.
Professional Education Benefit (also known as CME money)
Our union will pay $1250 annually (benefits renew July 1st every year) with the following caveats:
Electronic devices are only reimbursed at 75%, up to the full $1250.
Only 1 electronic device will be reimbursed per year.
Eligible electronic devices include laptops, phones, tablets. Things that are not eligible include smart watches, phone plans, cameras, eBooks/Kindles.
Electronic devices must be purchased before the last 6 months of residency. PGY3s, this means you must buy one BEFORE Saturday 12/30 to be reimbursed.
Interns: you can use this money to pay for your Step 3/Level 3 board exam fees and/or UWorld subscription to study for the exam
Other things that are eligible include:
Audio materials
Board Exam Fees
Books and eBooks
COVID-19 Medical Equipment
Conferences/Courses
Dues & Journals for Medical Specialty Society
Equipment (ie. scrubs, stethoscope, etc.)--FIGS ARE INCLUDED
License Application and Examination Fees. Per the Internal Revenue Service, initial medical and/or dental licensing reimbursements are taxable. A 1099 tax statement will be issued to anyone who receives reimbursement for initial licensing totaling $600.00 or more per calendar year.
Software or electronic medical apps
Fellowship Application Fee
Discounted Contract Review
Important Information for the graduating PGY3's:
CIR members are eligible to receive a review of their post-residency employment contract by a participating lawyer at a substantially discounted rate of $400.
Meal allowances
$1100 per year, does not roll over
Places freedom pass accepted at that I’m aware of: 3 in 1, Maimoni, the place next door to Maimoni, Leah’s Kitchen (formerly J&J), D&D, La Strada, Kaff Bakery, and now Bora Bora
Check balance at next time you buy something at Maimoni Deli or https://my.freedompay.com/MemberServices/BalanceCheck.aspx
Parking
Opt-in program. Email academic affairs, Robin Gitman and Lindsay Macchia to sign up
12 vouchers per month or $36/month (discounted from $54) for unlimited parking
Uberhealth
$25 limit. Ride must originate from Maimonides.
Can use 10pm – 5:30am
Does not work from your home to Maimo, only the other way around
Please be mindful of utilizing this precious resource, as if you use it out of the hour range listed above, the cost of the Uber ride will be deducted from your paycheck (or so we have been told)
Discounts
In addition, CIR in partnership with SEIU (Services Employee International Union), has plenty of discounts through their member portal: https://www.seiumb.com/
Some highlights are:
Get a $40 Costco Gift card when you apply for a new membership
Get up to 40% off on concert/amusement park tickets
FSA/Commuter Benefits
Manage both at https://participant.briweb.com/dashboard
FSA (flexible spending account): Use pretax money towards healthcare spending. This includes contact lens solution, sunscreen SPF 15+, tampons/liners/pads, OTC medications.
These accounts are not the same as HSA. Use-it-or-lose-it by 12/31 each year.
You can only add money during enrollment periods which already passed for next year (11/6/23-11/27/23)
Commuter Benefits: Use pretax money towards transportation. Includes subways, busses, ferries, and trains (e.g. Amtrak). Does not include taxi, uber, tolls. You can change how much you put in before any pay cycle.
Benefit
Amount
Comments
PEB (CME)
$1250
Submit claims:
https://cirmp.novus-360.com/cirmpprod
Meal allowance
$1100
Does not rollover
Check balance:
https://my.freedompay.com/MemberServices/BalanceCheck.aspx
Parking
12 vouchers/month or $36/month
Sign up by emailing Robin Gitman and Lindsay Macchia (Academic Affairs)
UberHealth
≤ $25/night
10pm-5:30am or after shift from MMCH
Mental Health
$5,000 / year
Max $200 / visit
Submit claims:
https://cirmp.novus-360.com/cirmpprod
Paid Family Leave
Up to 12 weeks, up to $1131/wk
This is a NY state benefit. For new children, ill family members, family members called in to military.
FutureMoms
N/A
Access OB nurse coach, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers.
Rx Benefit
$5 - $60 copay
ExpressScripts
http://www.express-scripts.com/
Dental
Its… ok. Annual cleanings are covered.
Guardian
http://www.guardiananytime.com/
Vision
$100-125 towards frames/contacts
Davis Vision
http://www.davisvision.com/
Disability
Short term: 60% weekly salary up to $692/wk x 26 wks
Long term: 60% monthly salary up to $3,5000/month
Life
Your beneficiary gets $125,000 if you die. You get $20,000 if your spouse dies.
Language
Rosetta Stone.
https://www.cirseiu.org/opportunity-to-learn-a-new-language-with-rosetta-stone-2/
Legal
Includes landlord, immigration, bankruptcy issues among others. Refer to following to see if CIR lawyers can cover you.
https://www.cirseiu.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/CIRLS-VH-SPD-2014-w-cover.pdf