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!
When the going gets tough, try the compassion cure.
From kindergarten on up, we hear a lot about being kind to others, for good reason. Kindness makes the world a better place and be sure to direct some of it inward! Compassion that is directed at yourself is good medicine. Based on the results in a recent study that looked at college students where some participants exercised self-compassion, while others were directed to use a critical inner voice, those participants that practiced self-compassion helped shift the body out of its "fight or flight" response during times of stress. Long-term stress is linked to increased inflammation and illness, and by turning off the stress response, self-compassion might help to lower the risk of illness. Become aware of your current internal monologue, and practice being compassionate with yourself when you experience challenges or negative thoughts. Just as nourishing food and regular exercise are bedrocks of a healthy lifestyle, a daily dose of kindness to yourself is an important wellness tool too!
Quote of the Month
"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive."
-- Dalai Lama
If you have any comments or concerns, do not hesitate to
email
me.
Cheers,
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UBCM Group Benefits Newsletter
October 2019
We had a successful Group Benefits Conference!
I believe the participants found the information presented at the conference to be interesting and informative as well as having a great opportunity to network with other local government staff.
To view or download the presentations from the Conference, please visit our website
here
.
UBCM's Marketing Review - Update
UBCM is conducting a Plan Marketing Review of the UBCM Group Benefits Plan for group benefit insurance services. These services are currently provided by Pacific Blue Cross/BC Life, and the review is to ensure the UBCM is providing its membership with the best services and pricing available. The Request for Expression of Interest was issued on BC Bid on October 11, 2019 and the deadline for submission was October 30, 2019. Further updates will be provided in the next newsletter or as required but if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to Anna Wijesinghe or Kathleen Spalek.
Pacific Blue Cross And EQ Care To Provide The Benefit Of Virtual Health Care
Pacific Blue Cross is continually innovating and expanding its offerings, and has entered into an agreement with EQ Care to offer our group plan sponsors the option to provide online virtual health care service for plan members. Blue Cross plan sponsors can choose to provide members with access to medical care 24/7 wherever they are, any time, and in both official languages. Plan Members can also have prescriptions requisitioned, and lab or other diagnostic tests and specialist referrals ordered remotely - all without having to leave their home or office to endure long wait times.
Essential Mental Health Tips For The Workplace
If ignored, mental health issues can contribute to a cycle of low productivity and absenteeism. As such, employers and employees should work together to identify stressors in the workplace and develop strategies for reducing exposure to these factors.
Here are free resources you and your employees can access:
- Crisis Help Across Canada
- The Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention provides a list of crisis centres across Canada. Crisis centres are there for people reaching out for help. Highly-trained volunteers listen, understand what callers are going through and talk to them about available options.
- Here to Help
- A useful resource for finding more information on mental health issues. Self-evaluations, personal stories and FAQs are available. The website also helps residents of BC find free or low-cost mental health services.
- Bounce Back
- They provide online coaching using cognitive behaviour therapy. The program is designed to help employees with stress, anxiety, and mild depression. Physician referral needed.
- CounsellingBC
- An online information resource in BC regarding counselling, psychological services, art therapy, and psychotherapy. Helps people find the right kind of person to talk to.
- Inspire Health
- A non-profit that provides services and programs designed to improve the quality of life for people battling cancer. No cost to join.
- Telus Babylon Dr Visit
- A mobile healthcare app that allows people to check symptoms, connect with doctors, and access your medical records. Cost for BC residents is covered under provincial healthcare.
Stick it on your fridge or even by the front door, that way the whole family will have everything they need to ensure physical activity isn't an unchecked box!
Probable case of vaping-related illness found in B.C.
M
aking vaping a reportable illness assists public health experts in better understanding the impact of this emerging public health issue on the population in B.C. and will contribute to the knowledge base within North America
.
Employment Insurance Premiums
On September 13, 2019, the Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC) announced that the 2020 Employment Insurance (El) premium rate will be $1.58 per
$100 of insurable earnings - a decrease of 4 cents for employees compared to the 2019 rate, and a decrease of 6 cents to $2.21 for employers who pay 1.4 times the employee rate.
The CEIC also announced that the Maximum Insurable Earnings (MIE) for 2020 will increase to $54,200 from $53,100 in 2019. The maximum annual El contribution for a worker will decrease by $3.86 to $856.36 (down $5.41 for employers to $1,198.90 per employee).
British Columbia continues to lead the way across Canada by expanding its biosimilars program to include another patient group, while using cost savings to introduce new improvements in patient care.
On August 29, 2019, Employment and Social Development Canada issued a news release reminding federal employers that certain amendments to the Canada Labour Code come into effect September 1, 2019 including, among others:
- new leaves such as personal leave of up to 5 days, including 3 days with pay, and leave for victims of family violence of up to 10 days with 5 days paid
- leave for traditional Indigenous practices of up to 5 unpaid days
- unpaid leave for court or jury duty
- expanded bereavement leave from 3 to 5 days, 3 of them paid
- improved access to many existing leaves (e.g. critical illness, death/disappearance of a child and reservist leave) and general holiday pay by eliminating length of service requirements
- increased annual vacation entitlements (3 weeks after 5 years of service, 4 weeks after 10 years of service)
- new breaks and rest periods (medical and nursing breaks, work breaks); and
- medical leave (covering personal illness or accident, organ/tissue donation and medical appointments)
True or False? My tired employees need rest, not physical activity
Sleep is universal. We all know how energizing it is to wake up after a good night's sleep - and how awful it is to feel exhausted and drag ourselves through the day.
As a business leader, you'd likely agree that you're at your best when you're well-rested, and the same goes for all staff. But did you know that physical activity could be the key to unlocking better sleep - and in turn, better attendance and productivity - for employees?
Read on for some commonly held beliefs about sleep, and the truths behind them...
Contact us at:
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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