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!
One story that continues to stand the test of time is Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." The famous account of redemption has been retold countless times. It's no wonder Scrooge's transformation from a selfish miser, "solitary as an oyster" to "another man from what he was" continues to resonate. As the year draws to a close, it's natural to reflect on the past and to look ahead. And while not all metamorphoses are as dramatic as that of Scrooge's, there is evidence all around us of transformational change.
No matter where you are in life, it's worth remembering that it's never too late to change bad habits.
Quote of the Month
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."
-- Leo Tolstoy
If you have any comments or concerns, do not hesitate to
email
me.
Wishing you a joyous Holiday season and a happy and peaceful New Year!
Cheers,
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UBCM Group Benefits Newsletter
December 2019
End of MSP Premiums: January 2020
As of January 1, 2020, residents of BC will no longer be charged a monthly MSP premium.
However, enrolment in MSP will still be mandatory for all residents of British Columbia. Also be reminded that as part of your contract with Pacific Blue Cross, all employees and their dependents covered under a group or individual plan must be actively enrolled in MSP.
To avoid any potential issues, PBC strongly recommends that employers continue with their current record keeping practices to ensure MSP coverage is still active for current and future employees.
This changeover is a great time to remind staff that MSP coverage must be updated anytime they have an address or family structure change; these must be reported to Health Insurance BC within 10 days of the change occurring. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your Pacific Blue Cross Account Executive.
The Pacific Blue Cross Health Challenge is back and better than ever!
More Health Cash prizes, more ways to win! Wrap up 2019 on a healthy note with the Pacific Blue Cross Health Challenge. This year, PBC is giving away more than $10,000 in Health Cash prizes, with more ways to win!
Everyone that makes a healthy goal has a chance to win $2,020 in Health Cash!
It's simple and free to join:
- Visit pbchealthchallenge.ca
- Select from four healthy resolutions:
- Exercise
- Eat Healthy
- Quit Smoking
- Work on Your Mental Health
3. Choose an emoji that shows how you plan to achieve your resolution
Traveling for the Holidays?-The Difference between Out of Country (group) and PBC Travel coverage
In most cases, PBC Travel plans offer more protection than out-of-country coverage through your group health plan.
How to make a claim (Out Province)
Before you leave the province, it's important that you understand what is covered under your health plan and the impact a large claim could have.
District of Coldstream and CUPE Local 626 Ratify New Collective Agreement
The District of Coldstream and members of CUPE Local 626 have ratified a five-year collective agreement for the period of January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2023.
Source:
Sundeep Gokhale and Tom Gorsky
A year into legalized recreational cannabis, and now with the legalization of cannabis edibles on Oct. 17, 2019, employers continue to wrestle with the question of how to strike the right balance between a safe and productive workplace and the privacy and human rights of workers.
As courts and arbitrators continue to clarify (and in some cases, muddy) the law, there are several things we know....
Employer medical benefit costs to grow 6% in 2020: survey
Employer-provided medical benefit costs in Canada are forecast to rise 6% in 2020, outpacing general inflation by 1.9%, according to the 2020 Global Medical Trend Rates Report.
Get Fit as You Sit Workout
We all know we sit too much, but sometimes there's no getting around it. Introducing the "Get Fit as You Sit" workout! A simple 2-minute workout led by Natalie Toman from ParticipACTION's. This workout can be done while sitting at work or at home, and it's a quick way to add a little physical activity to your day.
Watch the full video on the ParticipACTION app today!
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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