Just a reminder that you are able to make changes to your group benefits plan at any time. Please feel free to contact me if you want a review of your plan design. Being part of a bigger pool, the UBCM Group Benefits Plan allows you to offer better customized plans at a lower cost. Email me today!
Did you know that August is
Happiness Happens Month
? The entire month is dedicated to celebrating happiness.
Happiness is a choice. Happiness is not a destination, but rather a life-long pursuit. As the stoics of ancient Greece observed, happiness is all about the quality of your thoughts. In essence no matter what is wrong with the world in general, and your life in particular, you can choose to be happy if you learn how. Joy can be anywhere at any time. Don't limit yourself to searching for pleasure. Enjoy everything and anything that makes you happy!
Quote of the Month
"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human
freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any set of circumstances, to
choose one's way."
-- Viktor Frankl
"Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be."
-- Abraham Lincoln
If you have any comments or concerns, do not hesitate to
email
me.
Cheers,
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UBCM Group Benefits Newsletter
August 2019
2019 UBCM Benefits Conference -- Save the Date!
The 2019 UBCM Benefits Conference will be held October 24-25 at the Inn At The Quay in New Westminster.
The conference is intended to provide a learning opportunity and to inspire new ideas for local government staff and others who are responsible for group benefit plans.
We are pleased to offer complimentary registration for the first two attendees from each UBCM Group Benefits Plan Member. Registration for additional attendees is $200/person plus tax.
For non-UBCM Group Benefits Program, registration is $200/person plus tax for the two days.
Click here to
register today,
space is limited!
(Early registration is always appreciated to assist in planning for the event.)
This conference is held only once every three years, so don't miss out on this opportunity to meet with your counterparts from other local governments to learn more and share ideas about benefits plans.
Group Benefits Plan Marketing Review 2019/2020
In October 2019, UBCM will be conducting a Plan Marketing Review of the UBCM Group Benefits Plan for group benefit insurance services.
UBCM is one of several other public sector organizations who will be working together as part of this process and, in aggregate, this initiative is expected to be one of the largest group benefit marketing exercises ever conducted in Canada. This is an opportunity for member AND non-member organizations to participate in this marketing exercise.
The UBCM's Notice of Plan Marketing Review gives a detailed overview of this initiative.
B.C. applauds federal government for modernizing drug pricing regulations
People in B.C. and across Canada are now better protected against excessive drug prices set by manufacturers, as federal regulatory amendments for the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) have been announced.
Constructive dismissal or voluntary resignation?
The B.C. Supreme Court found that an employer had responded to an allegation of constructive dismissal by fixing the situation and it was unreasonable for the employee not to return to his previous position.
Some countdowns are more exciting than others. A bomb ticking down to zero in a James Bond movie? Exciting! A microwave ticking down to zero in the break room at work? Not so much.
If only there was something exciting to DO while staring at those little digital numbers. Well, turns out there is! As the video above shows, it's easy to bust out these five moves while you wait in front of the microwave, in the elevator, while watching a download screen, or any time there's a break in the action. Wondering how to do easy exercises at work? Check it out:
8 Active Summer Habits Worth Maintaining Through Fall
While you can't stop the seasons from changing, you can move into fall with the same healthy, active choices that came naturally in the spring and summer.
What's the difference between Co-pay and Co-insurance?
Most people understand an insurance term like plan deductible, but it's likely that fewer people understand terms like Co-insurance and Co-pay and what the difference is between them.
Our benefits provider, Pacific Blue Cross, is trying to make that easier for us. They've prepared a variety of materials to help you demystify your health coverage.
Going on a Trip? Get Coverage!
Buy Pacific Blue Cross Travel Insurance for your next vacation and get covered starting from only $10. They offer Single Trip, Annual and Package plans to help you enjoy healthy travels. And don't forget - Members always save 10%! Buy online today here.
Included with our service offering to you, the members in the Plan is to provide an actuarial review of the carrier's proposed new rates for the coming year.
The renewal letter will be sent out by the beginning of September with the rates effective October 1, 2019. George and Bell Consulting reviewed Pacific Blue Cross's (PBC) proposal and with UBCM had negotiated a very favourable renewal resulting in $107,000 in savings at the aggregate level.
George and Bell has worked with us to ensure the aggregate adjustments for the renewal are fair and appropriate. Individual member reviews have also been finalized and we will distribute written notification of your individual rate changes by the beginning of September, which will be effective commencing October 1, 2019.
Please note that if you are making amendments or receiving quotations on benefits during this time, those amendments will also be subjected to the renewal increases.
I hope you are having a great summer and if you have any comments or concerns, do not hesitate to e-mail me.
Anna-Maria Wijesinghe
Nathan Roeters
Manager, Member & Association Services
Account Executive
Union of BC Municipalities
Pacific Blue Cross
Phone: 604.270.8226 (ext. 111) Phone: 604.419.2412
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