The union recently notified more than 2,000 DC 37 members that they have until Aug. 31 to collect unclaimed checks from GHI. The “unclaimed disbursement checks” cover out-of-network services for calendar year 1997.

The insurance carrier publishes a list of subscribers who are entitled to the 4-year-old checks in local newspapers each April; checks that are still unclaimed by the end of August are turned over to the state.

The checks are for services that subscribers received from out-of-network, or “non-participating,” physicians. Subscribers generally pay up-front for services of out-of-network physicians. Once subscribers reach their deductible, GHI reimburses them for office visits and hospital care according to a fee schedule of allowable charges for the treatment.

Last month, DC 37 Deputy Administrator Zachary Ramsey wrote members who may have unclaimed checks. The Health and Security Plan identified the members from GHI’s list of employees who have unclaimed checks for calendar year 1997.

Any member with questions about recovering unclaimed checks may call the DC 37 Health and Pension Services Unit at (212) 815-1200.

In many instances, checks go unclaimed because they are sent to an old address and returned to GHI. In some cases, the subscriber has died.

To claim a check, subscribers must submit a written request that includes their current address to GHI, 441 Ninth Ave., New York, N.Y. 10001, Attention: Unclaimed Disbursements Department – 7th Floor. Executors who seek to recover payment must provide proof, such as a death certificate or court document, that they are the executor of a deceased GHI subscriber. GHI generally takes up to 60 days to process claims and will not accept telephone inquiries during that period.